Psalm 4 5

Psalm 4:5 kjv

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

Psalm 4:5 nkjv

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the LORD.

Psalm 4:5 niv

Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the LORD.

Psalm 4:5 esv

Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.

Psalm 4:5 nlt

Offer sacrifices in the right spirit,
and trust the LORD.

Psalm 4 verses

Psalm 4 5 Meaning

Psalm 4:5 is a profound command directed by the psalmist to those who oppose him, urging them towards deep spiritual introspection and self-control. It calls them to transform their internal agitation or anger into a reverent awe of God that prevents sin. This reflection is to be a private, honest assessment undertaken in quiet contemplation, culminating in a state of stillness and trust. The verse essentially provides a divine remedy for uncontrolled passions, directing them towards repentance, quiet submission, and reliance on God rather than outward rebellion or sinful acts.

Psalm 4 5 Context

Psalm 4 is often seen as an evening prayer of David, likely composed during a time of personal distress, opposition, or even rebellion (such as Absalom's revolt or Saul's pursuit). It immediately follows Psalm 3, which depicts David's cry for deliverance from numerous enemies and God's faithful response. In Psalm 4, David directly addresses his accusers and adversaries, perhaps individuals in positions of authority or influence, who were loving "delusion" and seeking "falsehood" (Ps 4:2). This verse (Ps 4:5) is David's counsel to these antagonists, urging them not to succumb to their sinful impulses or misdirected passions but to turn inward, examine their hearts before God, and find peace and righteousness in true repentance and stillness rather than pursuing destructive paths. The atmosphere is one of the psalmist finding peace in God amidst turmoil, and extending an invitation to his enemies to experience similar tranquility through godly living.

Psalm 4 5 Word analysis

• Tremble: Hebrew: ragaz (רָגַז). This word can mean to be agitated, provoked, disturbed, enraged, or to tremble with fear or awe. In this context, often interpreted as "be angry" based on its use in the Septuagint (orgizo, ὀργίζω, to become angry) and echoed in the New Testament (Eph 4:26). The significance lies in the instruction to control or rechannel intense emotion, whether it be anger, agitation, or fearful disquiet, so it does not lead to sin. It implies an internal, powerful emotional state that needs sanctification.
• and do not sin: Hebrew: wĕ'al tiḥĕṭa'û (וְאַל תֶּחֶטְאוּ). A direct and absolute prohibition. This clarifies the command of 'tremble,' indicating that while strong emotion may arise, it must not culminate in disobedience to God's law or an unrighteous act. It sets a divine boundary on human passions.
• ponder: Hebrew: ʼimrū (אִמְרוּ), literally "say." In this context, it implies an internal, thoughtful deliberation – speaking to oneself in contemplation. It suggests meditation, reflection, or considering something deeply, moving beyond superficial thoughts.
• in your own hearts: Hebrew: biləḇaḇkem (בִלְבַבְכֶם). The "heart" in Hebrew thought is not merely the seat of emotion, but primarily the center of one's intellect, will, and conscience. Pondering "in the heart" means to genuinely and thoroughly examine one's thoughts, motives, and intentions, going beyond outward appearance or mere spoken words.
• on your beds: Hebrew: ʻal miškaḇəkem (עַל מִשְׁכְּבֵיכֶם). This signifies a private, quiet setting, typically at night, free from the distractions and influences of the public sphere. It emphasizes a solitary, honest introspection, a time when one is most vulnerable and apt to confront oneself without pretense. It allows for undistracted contemplation.
• and be still: Hebrew: wā·dōmmū (וְדֹמּוּ). This imperative means "to be silent," "to cease," "to be quiet," or "to rest." It is the culmination of the prior commands: after channeling strong emotion away from sin and engaging in deep, private introspection, the outcome should be a cessation of internal strife or rebellious action, leading to a state of calm, quiet submission, and trust in God's sovereignty. It implies a surrendering of self-will.
• Selah: This is a technical musical or liturgical instruction, likely indicating a pause for instrumental interlude or a moment for reflection. It emphasizes the profound importance of the preceding statement and invites the listener or reader to meditate deeply on its truth.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Tremble, and do not sin": This phrase functions as a transformative imperative. It does not forbid the raw emotion (e.g., anger, strong indignation) but mandates its redirection. The inner agitation, which might arise from adverse circumstances or the behavior of others (as implied in the psalm's context), must be managed and consecrated to avoid crossing the line into actions that defy God's will. It’s a call to righteous self-control and holy fear, turning a potentially destructive energy into constructive introspection.
• "Ponder in your own hearts on your beds": This specifies the method and setting for this redirection. It encourages a deeply personal and internal self-examination, done away from public view and external pressures, in the quiet intimacy of one's personal space (likely at night). It highlights the need for genuine self-reflection concerning one's motives and conduct, emphasizing that true change originates from within. This intimate self-assessment leads to transparency before oneself and God.
• "and be still": This serves as the spiritual antidote and desired outcome of the previous actions. After introspective honesty, the instruction is to cease restless striving, to quiet the mind and spirit, and to find peace. This "stillness" is not inactivity but rather a state of trusting reliance on God, a cessation of one's own efforts to control or manipulate, allowing divine peace and wisdom to take hold. It signifies quiet acceptance, confident trust, and obedient repose in God.

Psalm 4 5 Bonus section

Psalm 4:5 forms a critical ethical and spiritual pivot in the psalm. It moves the discourse from the psalmist's personal plea to an instruction for his adversaries, revealing a heart not just seeking personal relief but also desiring the moral rectitude of others. This is a subtle polemic against the often-reactive, vengeful, or superstitious responses common in ancient near eastern cultures, instead advocating for personal accountability and internal spiritual transformation rooted in one's relationship with the True God. The instruction to "tremble, and do not sin" can be understood as an invitation to the 'fear of the LORD,' which is foundational to Biblical wisdom and departs from evil. The overall tone shifts from complaint to quiet confidence (as seen later in Ps 4:8), largely due to the psalmist’s internal discipline mirrored by his hopeful instruction for his opponents.

Psalm 4 5 Commentary

Psalm 4:5 offers a potent spiritual prescription for managing the turbulence of the soul, particularly in response to external provocation or internal conflict. It begins with a strong, active command to acknowledge and rechannel intense inner turmoil or anger (tremble/be angry) by ensuring it does not manifest in sinful deeds. This direct linking of internal emotional states to their external behavioral outcomes is crucial. The path to right behavior, according to the psalmist, is not suppressing emotion but purifying its expression through a deeply personal and solitary process of self-examination. Pondering "in your own hearts on your beds" signifies sincere, private contemplation of one's thoughts, motives, and actions before God, away from the distractions of the world or the influence of others. This profound introspection is designed to lead to the final state: "be still." This stillness is not passivity, but a Spirit-led quietude, a trusting repose in God's sovereignty and peace, allowing one to cease from harmful striving and rest in divine truth. This verse thus delineates a journey from unrighteous agitation to peaceful submission and integrity.

Practical usage includes:

• When feeling angry or upset, pause before acting or speaking, remember Eph 4:26.
• Before making major decisions, or after a conflict, dedicate quiet time, especially at night, to genuinely examine your motives and actions without external distraction.
• In times of anxiety or turmoil, intentionally "be still" and surrender the situation to God, trusting in His control rather than striving in your own strength.