Texts in Conversation
In Psalm 4, the psalmist urges listeners to tremble and not sin, using language that describes physical shaking or fear. In the Greek Septuagint translation, this becomes a command to be angry without sinning, introducing a new emotional emphasis.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Psalm 4:4
Hebrew Bible
2 You men, how long will you try to turn my honor into shame? How long will you love what is worthless and search for what is deceptive? (Selah) 3 Realize that the Lord shows the godly special favor; the Lord responds when I cry out to him. 4 Tremble with fear and do not sin. Meditate as you lie in bed, and repent of your ways. (Selah) 5 Offer the prescribed sacrifices and trust in the Lord. 6 Many say, “Who can show us anything good?” Lift up upon us the light of your face, Lord!18
Date: 600–201 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
LXX Psalm 4:5
Septuagint
2 When I called upon him, the God of my righteousness heard me: you have made room for me in tribulation; pity me, and listen to my prayer. 3 you sons of men, how long will you be slow of heart? why do you love vanity, and seek falsehood? Pause. 4 But know you that the Lord has done wondrous things for his holy one: the Lord will hear me when I cry to him. 5 Be angry, and do not sin; feel compunction upon your beds for what you say in your hearts. Pause. 6 Offer the sacrifice of righteousness, and trust in the Lord.
Date: 100–1 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... The clearest example of the use of the Old Testament in this section is found in Ephesians 4:26, “Be angry and do not sin,” which is identical in wording to the LXX version of Psalm 4:5 (4:4 in English and Chinese translations), though most modern translation reflect the literal meaning, “to tremble,” of the word used in the Masoretic text ..."
Ronnie Poon, The Use of Psalm 4:4 in Ephesians 4:26 (Alliance Bible Seminary, 2010), 2.
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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