Psalm 4 1

Psalm 4:1 kjv

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

Psalm 4:1 nkjv

To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

Psalm 4:1 niv

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David. Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

Psalm 4:1 esv

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

Psalm 4:1 nlt

Answer me when I call to you,
O God who declares me innocent.
Free me from my troubles.
Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

Psalm 4 verses

Psalm 4 1 Meaning

Psalm 4:1 is a fervent plea from an individual in distress to God, addressing Him as the source and defender of the psalmist's rightful cause. The psalmist recalls God's past deliverance from difficult situations, using this established faithfulness as the foundation for a renewed request for God's merciful attention and answer to prayer. It expresses confident dependence on God's character and consistent saving power.

Psalm 4 1 Context

Psalm 4:1 serves as the opening address and a foundational statement in a psalm often understood as an evening prayer of trust and instruction amidst adversity. The verse is a direct appeal to God from one facing accusation or opposition. While specific historical details are not given, traditional authorship attributes it to David, suggesting contexts like the rebellion of Absalom (2 Sam 15-18), where David faced accusations and felt vindication was needed from God, or periods of pursuit by Saul. The psalm contrasts the psalmist's reliance on the LORD with those who trust in futile things, providing counsel and emphasizing the peace found in God's presence.

Psalm 4 1 Word analysis

• Hear me: Hebrew: shama' (שָׁמַע). This is more than simply perceiving sound; it means to listen attentively, to consider, and crucially, to respond with action. The plea is for God not just to register the sound, but to actively intervene.

• when I call: Implies an earnest, often desperate, cry for help. It highlights the psalmist's initiative in seeking God.

• O God: Hebrew: Elohim (אֱלֹהִים). A plural noun but used with a singular verb, referring to the one true God in His majestic, all-powerful aspect. It emphasizes His supreme authority and might.

• of my righteousness: Hebrew: Elohei tzidqi (אֱלֹהֵי צִדְקִי). This is a pivotal phrase. It does not suggest the psalmist's own self-righteousness, but rather that God is the source, defender, and vindicator of the psalmist's just cause or innocence. It implies God upholds justice and will prove the psalmist innocent where s/he is genuinely righteous. It’s an appeal to God’s character as a righteous Judge who will judge justly on the psalmist’s behalf.

• You have given me relief: Hebrew: hirchavta li (הִרְחַבְתָּ לִּי). Literally "You made wide for me" or "You gave me spaciousness." This is a powerful metaphor for liberation from a narrow, constricted, or oppressed state. It speaks of bringing into a place of freedom, ease, and security.

• when I was in distress: Hebrew: batsar li (בַּצָּר לִי). Literally "in narrowness/tightness for me." This directly contrasts with "relief/spaciousness." It refers to difficult, constricting circumstances, often implying being pressed on all sides, confined, or oppressed. The psalmist remembers a past time of profound difficulty from which God delivered him.

• Be gracious to me: Hebrew: channeini (חָנֵּנִי). A direct, humble appeal for unmerited favor, compassion, and mercy from God. It acknowledges dependence on divine kindness rather than earned merit.

• and hear my prayer: Hebrew: u'shema' tefillati (וּשְׁמַע תְּפִלָּתִי). A clear, concise petition. It reiterates the opening request to hear (shama'), now specifically linking it to "my prayer" (tefillah), which refers to supplication, intercession, or a formal petition to God. It encapsulates the psalmist's hope for an answer.

• "Hear me... O God of my righteousness!": This opening phrase establishes the foundation of the psalmist's plea: an appeal to God based on His character as the Righteous Judge and ultimate Vindicator. The psalmist trusts that God, who is Himself righteous, will justly uphold the psalmist's cause.

• "You have given me relief when I was in distress;": This segment anchors the present petition in past divine faithfulness. It functions as a powerful declaration of God's consistent saving action, serving both as a reminder to God (from a human perspective) and as a boost of confidence for the psalmist. It indicates a history of God's redemptive intervention in confining circumstances.

• "Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.": This closing request shows humility and dependence. It is a direct and specific petition for God’s favor and an active response to the ongoing current need. The appeal is for mercy, which acknowledges human fallibility even in a righteous cause.

Psalm 4 1 Bonus section

Psalm 4, with this verse as its anchor, falls within a larger group of Davidic psalms (often 3-7) that convey a progression from acute distress to established trust and rest. This particular psalm often marks a shift from the more lament-focused Psa 3 to a posture of faith, admonition to adversaries, and eventual peace in God (as seen in the closing verse of Psa 4). The phrase "God of my righteousness" might also implicitly be a polemic against idols or false gods who cannot offer true justice or vindication. Unlike human judges who might be swayed, or idols who are deaf, the God of Israel is righteous and hears His people. The "distress" (tsar) and "relief/spaciousness" (rachav) are powerful recurring motifs in the Psalms, depicting the spiritual and emotional journey of believers from confinement to liberation in God.

Psalm 4 1 Commentary

Psalm 4:1 offers a model of confident and heartfelt prayer in times of trouble. It portrays a devout soul who, facing distress and possibly unjust accusation, turns directly to God, addressing Him not just as a mighty deity but as "the God of my righteousness." This powerful appellation underscores a belief that God is not aloof but intimately involved in His servant's just cause, ready to vindicate. The psalmist grounds his plea in God's proven track record, recalling how God has consistently "given him relief" from past "distress," illustrating the cyclical nature of trial and deliverance in a believer's life. This remembrance serves as both an act of worship and a foundation for renewed hope. The twofold petition, "Be gracious to me and hear my prayer," reflects both humility and urgency—a request for unmerited favor and a direct answer, emphasizing absolute reliance on divine mercy and intervention. The verse concisely captures the essence of calling upon a faithful God who hears, delivers, and judges justly.Example: A person facing false accusations at work might pray this, recalling how God previously helped them navigate difficult situations in life, and asking for current vindication based on God's just character.Example: When feeling overwhelmed by life's pressures (a "narrow place"), one might remember God's past provision (making "wide") and confidently pray for fresh grace and guidance.