Psalms 4:6

6 Many, LORD, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us.

Psalms 4:6 in Other Translations

6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

6 There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!"

6 Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, LORD .

6 Why is everyone hungry for more? "More, more," they say. "More, more." I have God's more-than-enough,

6 Many there are that say, Who will show us [any] good? Jehovah, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

6 Many are saying, "Who can show us anything good?" Let the light of your presence shine on us, O LORD.

6 Many are saying, "Who can show us anything good?" Look on us with favor, Lord.

6 Many are asking, "Who can show us anything good?" Lord, let us see your face smiling on us with favor.

Psalms 4:6 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 4:6

[There be] many that say, who will show us [any] good?
&c.] These may be thought to be the men of the world; carnal worldly minded men, seeking after temporal good, and taking up their rest and contentment in it; to whom the psalmist opposes his wish and request, in the following words. Or these are the words of the men that were along with David, wishing themselves at home and in their families, enjoying the good things of life they before had; or rather these are the words of the same many, the enemies of David, spoken of in ( Psalms 3:1 Psalms 3:2 ) ; who were wishing, as Kimchi observes, that Absalom's rebellion might prosper; that David might die and his son reign in his stead, so the evil they wished to him was good to them: or they may be the words of the same men, expressing the desperate condition that David and his friends were in, which the psalmist represents in this manner, "who will show us any good?" none, say they, will show them any good, neither God nor man; there is no help for him in God; he and his friends must unavoidably perish: and this produces the following petition,

Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us;
meaning his gracious presence, the manifestations of himself, the discoveries of his love, communion with him, the comforts of his Spirit, and the joys of his salvation; suggesting that in the enjoyment of these things lay their good and happiness, and their safety also; his face and favour, love and grace, being as a shield to encompass them, and as a banner over them, ( Psalms 5:12 ) ( Song of Solomon 2:4 ) ; and so Jarchi observes, that the word here used signifies to lift up for a banner ^F18; so, me respect seems to be had to the form of the priests blessing, ( Numbers 6:24-26 ) ; and the words are opposed to the good desired by carnal men, and express the true happiness of the saints, ( Psalms 89:15 ) ; this is a blessing wished for not only by David, but by his antitype the Messiah, ( Matthew 27:46 ) ; and by all believers.

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 So Gussetius, Ebr. Comment. p. 515, 518.

Psalms 4:6 In-Context

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

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

6 Many, LORD, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us.

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

8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Cross References

• 1. Numbers 6:25