Psalm 4 3

Psalm 4:3 kjv

But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

Psalm 4:3 nkjv

But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The LORD will hear when I call to Him.

Psalm 4:3 niv

Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.

Psalm 4:3 esv

But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.

Psalm 4:3 nlt

You can be sure of this:
The LORD set apart the godly for himself.
The LORD will answer when I call to him.

Psalm 4 verses

Psalm 4 3 Meaning

Psalm 4:3 declares a fundamental truth about God's relationship with His devoted followers. It asserts two profound realities: first, that the Lord Himself has distinctively chosen and set apart the person who is faithful to Him for His own unique purpose; and second, that this very Lord unfailingly hears and responds when such a person calls out to Him in prayer. This verse serves as a confident assurance to the righteous in times of distress and a powerful declaration to their adversaries regarding God's special care and attentive ear for His own.

Psalm 4 3 Context

Psalm 4 is a psalm of evening prayer, attributed to David. It follows Psalm 3, which also addresses a time of great personal distress and opposition, likely David's flight from Absalom (2 Sam 15-18). In Psalm 4, David directly addresses his accusers and opponents ("sons of men" in v. 2), who question his legitimate kingship and God's favor upon him, mocking him and suggesting there is no help for him from God. They were likely pursuing worldly prosperity and mocking David's reliance on the Lord.

In this context, verse 3 serves as a confident, counter-declaration to those who despise him and the God he serves. It is not just a personal affirmation for David but a foundational truth for all who walk in faithful covenant with God. He reassures himself and implicitly challenges his foes to acknowledge God's distinct relationship with the godly. The subsequent verses (4-5) exhort the ungodly to fear the Lord and offer right sacrifices, suggesting a call to repentance, before David again expresses his own trust and peace in God (6-8).

Psalm 4 3 Word analysis

• But know (וּדְעוּ - ū-də‘ū): An imperative verb, "know," from the root יָדַע (yada‘), which implies not just intellectual apprehension but experiential knowledge, recognition, and acknowledgment. It's a forceful command to David's adversaries (and to all hearers) to acknowledge a profound truth as an undisputed fact. It underscores certainty and demands attention.
• that the Lord (כִּי הִפְלָה יְהוָה - kī hip̄lāh Yahweh): "Lord" here is YHWH (Yahweh), the personal, covenantal name of God. This signifies the active, sovereign, and unchanging God of Israel.
• hath set apart / distinguishes (הִפְלָה - hip̄lāh): This is the Piel form of the verb פָּלָה (palah), meaning "to distinguish," "to make wonderful," "to separate for a special purpose," "to mark off." This is not an accidental separation but a deliberate, decisive, and remarkable act of divine preference and designation. The root carries connotations of extraordinary, unique action (e.g., Exod 8:22 where God "makes a distinction" between the people of Israel and Egypt; Ps 139:14 where the Psalmist is "fearfully and wonderfully made").
• him that is godly (חָסִיד - ḥā-sīḏ): This noun comes from the root חָסַד (ḥāsad), which is related to ḥeseḏ (loyal love, covenant faithfulness, steadfast mercy). A ḥā-sīḏ is one who consistently practices ḥeseḏ towards God and others, exhibiting pietas, faithfulness, and devotion to God's covenant. This is not self-righteousness but rather a life characterized by sincere and unwavering devotion to YHWH's ways. They are God's covenant faithful ones, His "saints."
• for himself (לוֹ - lô): This emphasizes ownership and an exclusive, personal relationship. The godly one is not just generally set apart, but uniquely for YHWH's own special purpose, possession, and delight. It denotes belonging and intimacy.
• the Lord will hear (יְהוָה יִשְׁמַע - Yahweh yišə-ma‘): Repetition of YHWH here powerfully reinforces divine commitment. "Will hear" (יִשְׁמַע - yishmʿa) is in the imperfect tense, denoting a continuous or habitual action in the future—God consistently and reliably hears. It is not just "listen," but implies an attentive and responsive hearing, leading to action.
• when I call unto him (בְּקׇרְאִי אֵלָיו - bə-qārə’î ’ê-lāw): This specific phrase "when I call" or "at my calling" refers to prayer. It implies an immediate, direct, and assured response to David's (and by extension, any godly person's) plea. The focus is on the act of sincere invocation to God.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself": This clause proclaims a fundamental truth about divine election and covenant. It reassures the ḥā-sīḏ of their unique and secure standing with God. It serves as a stark counter-argument to David's opponents, asserting that God's favor is not randomly distributed but is specifically bestowed upon those who live in covenant loyalty with Him. This divine distinguishing action validates the identity and worth of the godly in the face of scorn.
• "the Lord will hear when I call unto him": This second clause builds upon the first, demonstrating a practical outcome of being set apart. Because of this special relationship, prayer is effective. It assures the psalmist of God's ready and faithful response, reinforcing trust in divine attentiveness even amid trials. This hearing is an active response, not mere listening, providing comfort and confidence.

Psalm 4 3 Bonus section

The emphatic repetition of "YHWH" (the Lord) in the Hebrew text of Psalm 4:3 further underscores the divine identity of the one who distinguishes and the one who hears. It leaves no doubt that it is the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel who is intimately involved with His faithful ones. The imperative "Know!" (dǝ‘ū) implies that this truth is not an option for consideration, but a non-negotiable fact demanding acknowledgment from both the speaker and the listener. This command to know indicates that the psalmist is not just expressing a hopeful wish, but a divinely revealed certainty upon which the godly can firmly stand. It is a polemic against all false gods or human powers who cannot distinguish or hear.

Psalm 4 3 Commentary

Psalm 4:3 stands as a beacon of comfort and certainty for the faithful, rooted in two profound assurances. Firstly, it declares God's deliberate and remarkable act of "setting apart" or "distinguishing" the "godly one" (ḥā-sīḏ). This is not a human accomplishment but a divine initiative. The ḥā-sīḏ is someone characterized by ḥeseḏ, God's covenant faithfulness reflected in their loyal devotion and obedience. God’s choice and distinction of such a person is personal ("for Himself"), implying a special, intimate, and protective relationship. This truth validates the believer's identity and worth, countering the world's dismissals or pressures.

Secondly, flowing directly from this special relationship, the verse assures that the Lord will hear when the godly one calls out. This is not a mere passive listening but an attentive and responsive hearing that leads to action. In the face of David's adversaries, who might have questioned God's power or willingness to intervene, this declaration of answered prayer becomes a testament to YHWH's living and active presence in the lives of His chosen. It underscores the efficacy and necessity of prayer for those in covenant with Him.

This verse serves multiple purposes: it fortifies the faith of the struggling believer by reminding them of their unique position and effective prayer life, and it stands as a quiet yet firm rebuke to those who deny God's power or mock His faithful, revealing their ignorance of His character and ways.

Examples of practical usage:

• In times of personal doubt: Remind oneself that God has indeed set you apart for His purpose.
• Facing criticism/scorn: Remember that your validation comes from God, who actively distinguishes His faithful.
• When prayers feel unanswered: Rest in the assurance that God reliably hears His godly ones; persevere in prayer.
• Witnessing: Boldly declare the God who answers those who follow Him sincerely.