Psalm 4
The full text of Psalm 4 in the Trinity Bible Version — clear modern English, translated from the original Hebrew. Free to read.
For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.
1 When I call, answer me, O God of my righteousness!
In distress you made room for me;
be gracious to me and hear my prayer.
2 Sons of men, how long will my glory be turned to shame?
How long will you love emptiness
and seek after falsehood? Selah
3 Know that the LORD has set apart the faithful one for himself;
the LORD hears when I call to him.
4 Tremble and do not sin;
speak in your hearts upon your beds,
and be still. Selah
5 Offer right sacrifices,
and put your trust in the LORD.
6 Many say, "Who will show us good?"
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!
7 You have put more joy in my heart
than when their grain and new wine abound.
8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Translation notes (4)
- Psalm 4:2a The address bene ish (בְּנֵי אִישׁ), 'sons of men', often designates persons of rank, as distinct from bene adam, 'sons of humanity'; Psalm 62:9 sets the two phrases side by side. David thus confronts men of standing who slander his honor, loving riq, 'emptiness', and kazav, 'falsehood'.
- Psalm 4:3a The Hebrew word chasid refers to a faithful or loyal one, specifically someone bound by covenant loyalty (chesed).
- Psalm 4:4a Hebrew rigzu — tremble, be agitated; Septuagint translates 'be angry' (cf. Eph 4:26)
- Psalm 4:6a The plea nesah aleinu or panekha, 'lift up upon us the light of your face', fuses two lines of the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:25-26, where the LORD makes his face shine and lifts up his face upon Israel. The psalmist thus asks God to answer the skeptics of the first line by bestowing the blessing itself.
About this translation
You are reading the Trinity Bible Version (TBV) — an original 2026 translation made straight from the Hebrew, in clear modern English, exclusive to Trinity Bible. Every chapter of every book is free to read online. For the study edition — with Hebrew and Greek on every verse and the full translation notes — open Psalms in the Trinity Bible app.
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