Psalm 4 Study Notes

4:4 The Hebrew word translated be angry means to “shake” or “tremble” and is sometimes used literally for physical shaking (18:7; 77:18). When used of people it can mean trembling with fear (Ex 15:14; Dt 2:25), quarrelling (Gn 45:24), or a fit of rage (2Kg 19:27-28). It can also refer to provoking God to anger (Jb 12:6). The basic sense of the term when it is not used literally seems to be agitation. The Septuagint (LXX) translates it as “be angry” (from Gk orgizo), which is quoted by Paul in Eph 4:26. Though trembling with fear certainly works in the context of this psalm, the idea of anger also works if one assumes that this is a challenge to the angry enemies not to sin. In other words, their anger should not lead to attacks against God’s people.

4:5 A further challenge to the enemies is to offer sacrifices in righteousness, which means those that are in keeping with God’s righteousness that he has prescribed. The final challenge is for these enemies to turn from their ways by trusting in the Lord.

4:6 The quotation here seems to be coming from those who were restless and pessimistic about their own situation and fate. This is an example of those within the community of God’s people who were not trusting the Lord. The prayer for these people is that God would let the light of his face shine on the entire community. The Hebrew here is “lift up on us the light of your face” and is reminiscent of the Aaronic blessing in Nm 6:24-26.

4:7-8 The psalmist’s own experience is in contrast to the pessimist’s view in v. 6. He has both an abundance of joy and a sense of security because of his relationship with the Lord. The same description of lying down and sleeping occurs in 3:5.