Psalms 4

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David.

For introductory note on this psalm see that on Psalms 3:0. It is noticeable that in both David speaks like a father to his people; even of the revolters never uttering an imprecation or anathema. In all his complaint there is an undertone of “Father, forgive them!”

The divisions are four: Psalms 4:1, his earnest invocation; Psalms 4:2-3, his admonitory address to the “sons of men,” the insurgents, especially their leaders; Psalms 4:4-5, his advice and exhortation to all who abide in their loyalty to government, and to the proprieties of religious conduct in such an hour of peril and commotion; Psalms 4:6-8, his expression of calm trust in God. In no period of David’s life, and in no effusion of his pen, has he ever given a more sublime example of his faith, and the deep sincerity of his character, than on this occasion and in these two psalms.

TITLE:

To the chief musician Literally, to him that is over. Of the various translations and opinions of the original word, as occurring in the titles of the psalms, modern criticism accepts none but to the superintendent, or overseer; that is, of music. Our English Bible renders it, to the chief musician; in Habakkuk 3:19, to the chief singer. The form occurs fifty-five times in the titles of psalms. The prefixed preposition to does not, as when attached to proper names in the titles, denote authorship, nor even editorship, as Thrupp conjectures, but a designation of the psalm to the precentor for performance.

On Neginoth Or, on stringed instruments; and hence the music is to be softer and more subdued than if on wind instruments. It occurs in the title of seven psalms, (4, 6, 54, 55, 61, 67, 76,) and in Psalms 69:12, and Psalms 77:6, translated song; in Habakkuk 3:9, translated stringed instruments.