Psalm 4 7

Psalm 4:7 kjv

Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.

Psalm 4:7 nkjv

You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.

Psalm 4:7 niv

Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.

Psalm 4:7 esv

You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

Psalm 4:7 nlt

You have given me greater joy
than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.

Psalm 4 verses

Psalm 4 7 Meaning

The psalmist declares that the gladness God has placed in his heart qualitatively and quantitatively surpasses the joy felt by those whose earthly possessions, specifically grain and wine, have abundantly increased. This verse expresses a profound spiritual contentment and joy derived directly from God's favor and presence, asserting its deep and abiding superiority over any transient happiness born of material prosperity.

Psalm 4 7 Context

Psalm 4 is a psalm of David, serving as an evening prayer of trust in God amidst opposition and uncertainty, likely during a period of distress (similar to Psalm 3). In the preceding verses (4:2-5), David addresses those who are his adversaries, or "sons of men," challenging them for their vanity, seeking falsehood, and questioning "Who will show us some good?" (4:6). This query reveals a worldly perspective, seeking happiness and fulfillment primarily in external, material blessings or favorable circumstances. Against this backdrop, verse 7 pivots to declare a contrasting reality: the psalmist's deep-seated gladness is not reliant on such external prosperity. Instead, his joy is an internal, God-given spiritual blessing that vastly outweighs any temporary satisfaction derived from a bountiful harvest, which symbolized the epitome of worldly security and abundance for the original agricultural society. The verse thus sets up the climax of the psalm, where David finds secure peace and rest in God alone (4:8), despite his perilous situation.

Psalm 4 7 Word analysis

• You (אַתָּה - ʼattah): A direct and emphatic personal pronoun addressing God. It underscores divine agency, highlighting that the profound joy described is not self-generated or circumstantial, but a deliberate and personal gift from the Lord.
• have put (נָתַתָּה - natata): Derived from the Hebrew verb nātan, meaning "to give," "to place," "to bestow," or "to grant." This verb implies a direct act of impartation from God to the psalmist. It signifies a profound, intentional gift, not something earned or accidentally acquired.
• gladness (שִׂמְחָה - simḥah): This Hebrew term denotes a deep, inner joy or delight, often linked with spiritual celebration, divine blessing, and worship. Unlike fleeting happiness, simḥah represents an abiding and robust cheerfulness that originates from within, often a result of God's presence or action, rather than external events.
• in my heart (בְּלִבִּי - b’libbi): The "heart" (lev or levav) in biblical thought refers to the very core of a person – encompassing their intellect, will, emotions, and moral compass. This indicates that the gladness is not superficial but profoundly affects the psalmist’s entire being, shaping his innermost thoughts, desires, and perspectives.
• more than (מֵעֵת - meʼet): Literally translates to "from the time of." In this context, it functions as a comparative particle, indicating that the joy experienced by the psalmist surpasses or exceeds that of others in the stated circumstances. It sets up a qualitative and quantitative comparison.
• in the season that their grain and wine increased (דְגָנָם וְתִירוֹשָׁם רָבּוּ - d’ganam w’tirosham rabu): This phrase vividly depicts a period of significant material prosperity and abundance, the zenith of worldly well-being in an agrarian society.
  • their: Refers to those who are distinct from the psalmist—specifically, the "many" of verse 6 who look to external sources for "good" and perhaps trust in material wealth rather than God.
  • grain (דָּגָן - dagan): Represents staple crops, signifying food security, essential sustenance, and basic economic stability.
  • wine (תִּירוֹשׁ - tirosh): Refers to new wine, symbolizing luxury, celebratory abundance, and the pleasures that come with a bountiful and prosperous harvest. It implies flourishing circumstances and enjoyment.
  • increased (רָבּוּ - rabu): The verb ravah means "to multiply," "to be great," "to abound," or "to become numerous." This emphasizes an overflowing abundance, not just sufficient supply, but exceptional material success and flourishing.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "You have put gladness in my heart": This complete clause underscores divine initiation and personal reception. It emphasizes that true, profound, and internal joy is a supernatural gift directly from God, placed within the individual's core being, transcending external conditions.
  • "more than in the season that their grain and wine increased": This comparison sets God-given joy in stark contrast with happiness derived from worldly prosperity. It highlights the qualitative and quantitative superiority of spiritual joy, suggesting that no amount of material abundance or worldly success can deliver the same depth or enduring quality of happiness as God's presence and favor.

Psalm 4 7 Bonus section

This verse offers a subtle polemic against the pervasive ancient Near Eastern idea that prosperity (especially agricultural bounty) was the sole or primary indicator of divine blessing. While the Lord certainly provides, Psalm 4:7 reorients this perspective by asserting that God’s greatest blessing is not merely external abundance, but an internal spiritual gladness, a mark of true divine favor. This supernatural joy is robust enough to endure even when external conditions are unfavorable or lacking. In modern terms, "grain and wine increasing" could represent career success, financial stability, or social approval. The verse teaches that true fulfillment never comes from these things themselves, but only from a spirit connected to and made glad by God. This helps believers to cultivate contentment (1 Tim 6:6) and to understand that God's blessings encompass much more than mere material provision.

Psalm 4 7 Commentary

Psalm 4:7 delivers a powerful message contrasting two fundamentally different sources of happiness: one superficial and temporary, rooted in material wealth, and the other profound and abiding, rooted in a relationship with God. While the increasing "grain and wine" symbolized the height of earthly prosperity in ancient times, the psalmist confidently declares that the "gladness" divinely implanted in his heart far exceeds any joy derived from such external blessings. This inner joy, bestowed directly by God, penetrates the deepest recesses of one's being, making it independent of circumstances. It showcases a believer's unique ability to experience contentment and delight even in hardship, because their joy stems from an unfailing divine source, not fluctuating earthly conditions. It serves as an enduring principle: true prosperity is found not in abundance of possessions, but in the enduring favor and presence of God.