Psalm 4 4

Psalm 4:4 kjv

Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

Psalm 4:4 nkjv

Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah

Psalm 4:4 niv

Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.

Psalm 4:4 esv

Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

Psalm 4:4 nlt

Don't sin by letting anger control you.
Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude

Psalm 4 verses

Psalm 4 4 Meaning

Psalm 4:4 provides a profound instruction on managing inner turmoil and potential sin, particularly concerning anger and reactivity. It teaches that while intense emotions like anger may arise, one must prevent them from leading to sinful words or actions. Instead, it urges introspection and silent contemplation in the quiet solitude of one's bed, suggesting a nightly review of one's heart before God, leading to inner stillness and peaceful trust. The verse culminates in "Selah," prompting a thoughtful pause to reflect deeply on these spiritual disciplines.

Psalm 4 4 Context

Psalm 4 is a prayer of David, addressed to the "choirmaster," likely indicating its liturgical use. It follows Psalm 3, where David faced numerous adversaries (likely during Absalom's rebellion). In Psalm 4, David appeals to God for help, addresses his opponents (often described as "sons of men" who "love delusion" and "seek after falsehood"), and reassures his followers that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself. This verse (Ps 4:4) comes as direct counsel, warning against their typical ungodly reactions of rage or impulsive actions, and instead guiding them to inner discipline and God-centered contemplation, particularly in the quiet of night, when anxieties often swell. It provides an antidote to external turmoil by urging internal spiritual stability.

Psalm 4 4 Word analysis

• Be angry (Hebrew: ragaz, רָגַז): This word primarily means to be agitated, to tremble, to quake, or to be disturbed. It can describe a shaking with fear, indignation, or rage. Here, the command "be angry" in the imperative suggests that the emotion itself is not necessarily sinful; rather, it's a call to feel righteous indignation or a trembling awe, which then must be carefully managed. The alternative translation "Tremble" or "Stand in awe" (KJV/NIV) points to a sense of reverence before God that deters sin.
• and do not sin (Hebrew: we’al teḥeṭāʾ, וְאַל־תֶּחֱטָאוּ): This is a direct prohibition against allowing the agitation (ragaz) to lead to missing the mark, going astray from God's way, or committing transgression. It sets a critical boundary for human emotion. Anger, like any emotion, is part of God's creation, but its expression must not transgress God's commands.
• Ponder (implied from the action, but linked to ragaz again, or damam in different interpretations, and the overall context): While not a direct Hebrew word here, the command is to tremble/be agitated and then perform the next actions. This "pondering" or "commun(ing) with your own heart" is the prescribed righteous way to deal with the initial strong emotion. It implies careful introspection and thought, preventing rash reactions.
• in your own hearts (Hebrew: bi-lebavkhem, בִּלְבַבְכֶם): "Heart" (lev or levav) in Hebrew refers not just to emotion, but also to the seat of thought, will, intention, and intellect. The instruction is to engage in deep internal processing and honest self-examination, where true understanding and decisions are formed. It highlights the internal source of actions and the need for purity there.
• on your beds (Hebrew: ʻal-miškaḇeḵem, עַל־מִשְׁכְּבוֹתֵיכֶם): This literally means "upon your lying places" or "beds." It signifies the private, quiet hours of the night, a time for solitude away from the distractions and pressures of the day. This setting promotes contemplation and spiritual discipline before sleep. It contrasts with public displays or reactive responses.
• and be silent (Hebrew: we-ḍommu, וְדֹֽמּוּ): This imperative means to be silent, still, or quiet; to cease; to wait. It implies stopping any rash words or actions and finding rest or calm. This quietness is not passive inaction but an active cessation of striving and a turning inward or toward God. It suggests internalizing one's feelings and bringing them before God without immediate vocalization or action.
• Selah (Hebrew: selāh, סֶלָה): A term of uncertain meaning, commonly understood as a musical or liturgical pause, a sign to lift up voices, or a moment for reflection. Here, it marks a significant break, inviting the reader to pause, meditate deeply on the preceding verses, and let the instruction fully sink into their hearts. It is a divine interlude for profound spiritual engagement.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Be angry, and do not sin": This concise and potent phrase encapsulates a critical truth: anger is an emotion, but it becomes sin through its manifestation. It permits the emotion while demanding ethical self-control and restraint from ungodly responses. It implicitly teaches that emotion, even strong emotion, can be harnessed for righteous ends if its potential for corruption is vigilantly avoided.
• "Ponder in your own hearts on your beds": This phrase directs the intense internal state towards a structured, private, and intimate time of reflection. "Ponder" (or commune) signifies a deliberate process of deep self-examination and thoughtful consideration. Doing this "in your hearts" ensures genuineness and sincerity, as it's not for outward show. The specific timing "on your beds" emphasizes the vulnerability and quiet introspection possible in solitude, especially at night when one can honestly face one's thoughts and emotions without external influence.
• "and be silent. Selah": This instruction serves as the culmination, urging stillness and cessation of external activity or verbal complaint. It suggests a movement from internal contemplation to a state of inner quietude, a trusting repose in God rather than reacting out of agitated emotion. "Selah" then accentuates this moment of profound, Spirit-led rest and deepens the impact of the entire verse. It underscores the divine authority and lasting importance of this wisdom.

Psalm 4 4 Bonus section

The Hebrew word ragaz can also carry the connotation of "trembling with awe." In this light, "Tremble, and do not sin" could be interpreted as a call to stand in awe of God, fostering a fear of Him that acts as a powerful deterrent against any form of sin, including sinful anger. This interpretation adds a layer of depth, suggesting that reverence for God transforms emotional turmoil into sanctified stillness and reliance upon His wisdom rather than human impulsivity. The discipline suggested here is not merely about managing a negative emotion but about actively cultivating a heart posture of surrender and humility before the Almighty. This approach recognizes that the struggle against sin begins in the heart and finds its resolution in conscious submission to God's presence and will.

Psalm 4 4 Commentary

Psalm 4:4 provides timeless counsel on processing difficult emotions, especially anger, in a righteous manner. It counters the impulse to react outwardly or sinfully by redirecting inner turmoil towards private, purposeful contemplation before God. The phrase "Be angry, and do not sin" is not a command to feel angry, but rather an acknowledgment that such feelings will arise, and when they do, a spiritual boundary must be observed. The solution to destructive anger is not suppression, but proper engagement: an internal, honest "pondering" (introspection) during the solitary quietude of the night. This involves taking stock of one's heart's inclinations, intentions, and reactions. The call to "be silent" is a command for inner stillness, a deliberate choice to cease striving, fuming, or plotting, and instead to turn to God in quiet trust and dependence. This silent surrender allows for divine perspective to emerge and transforms potential sin into peace. The concluding "Selah" reinforces the verse's profound depth, urging us to pause, reflect, and internalize this vital principle of spiritual discipline.

Practical usage:

• Before reacting angrily to an offense, pause and consider your immediate emotions and motives.
• Before sleep, intentionally reflect on any anger or distress from the day, bringing it to God in prayer rather than allowing it to fester.
• Cultivate a habit of quiet meditation on God's Word when agitated, seeking His guidance before speaking or acting.