Psalms

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Psalm 4

1 For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a psalm of David. When I call out, answer me, O God who vindicates me. Though I am hemmed in, you will lead me into a wide, open place. Have mercy on me and respond to my prayer. 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 7 You make me happier than those who have abundant grain and wine. 8 I will lie down and sleep peacefully, for you, Lord, make me safe and secure.

Texts in conversation

Compare Numbers 6:25 and Psalm 4:6

Hebrew Bible

Summary

Psalm 4 recalls the priestly blessing from Numbers, where the shining face symbolizes favor and peace. In the psalm, this familiar language becomes a personal prayer, countering doubt and seeking joy beyond material success.

Passages

Numbers 6:25

Hebrew Bible

23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is the way you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: 24 “‘“The Lord bless you and protect you; 25 The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”’” 27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

750–400 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in Numbers

Psalm 4:6

Hebrew Bible

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 7 You make me happier than those who have abundant grain and wine. 8 I will lie down and sleep peacefully, for you, Lord, make me safe and secure.

600–201 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in Psalms

References

"... Early in the prayer, the psalmist recalled mentally the words of the arrogant adversaries (verse 3), but now, as his thoughts progress, it is the words of the pusillanimous doubters which come to mind, the people who say: “Who will show us good?” And the dubious help of doubters can sometimes be as dangerous as the arrogant words of enemies! An attack by enemies can be thwarted if the innocent person has trust in God, but when nagging doubts arise, confidence can easily be undermined. Enemies are real and all too visible, but is there anybody who can really help against them? Can God really do any good? And so the psalmist, as his confidence grows, must not only transcend the attacks of opponents, but must also overcome the voice of doubt within himself. And he overcomes it by recalling an ancient blessing, the Blessing of Aaron, which he had doubtless heard hundreds of times during his participation in worship: “The Lord will make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord will lift up his face to you and give you his peace” (Numbers 6:25–26). In a shortened form, he makes that blessing his own to quash the uncertainties within him. He prays for an inner joy which would be greater than those outward manifestations of joy which characterized his society, the joy and rejoicing which stemmed from a successful harvest of corn and grapes for new wine ..."

Peter C. Cragie and Marvin E. Tate, Word Biblical Commentary: Psalms 1-50 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004), 143.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

Psalms150 psalms

Compare Numbers 6:25 and Psalm 4:6

Summary

Passages

Numbers 6:25

Psalm 4:6

References

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