Psalms 4:3-4

Context

4:3 Realize that¹ the Lord shows the godly special favor;²

the Lord responds³ when I cry out to him.

4:4 Tremble with fear and do not sin!⁴

Meditate as you lie in bed, and repent of your ways!⁵ (Selah)

[4:3] ¹tn Heb “and know that.”

[4:3] ²tn Heb “that the Lord sets apart a faithful one for himself.” The psalmist states a general principle, though the singular form and the parallel line indicate he has himself in mind as the representative godly person. A חָסִיד (khasid; here translated as “the godly”) is one who does what is right in God’s eyes and remains faithful to God (see Pss 12:1; 18:25; 31:23; 37:28; 86:2; 97:10).

[4:3] ³tn Heb “hears.”

[4:4] ⁴sn The psalmist warns his enemies that they need to tremble with fear before God and repudiate their sinful ways.

[4:4] ⁵tn Heb “say in your heart(s) on your bed(s) and wail/lament.” The verb דֹמּוּ (dommu) is understood as a form of דָמָם (“wail, lament”) in sorrow and repentance. Another option is to take the verb from II דָמָם (damam, “be quiet”); cf. NIV, NRSV “be silent.”