The Safety of the Faithful

To the [a]Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have relieved me in my distress;
[b]Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

How long, O you sons of men,
Will you turn my glory to shame?
How long will you love worthlessness
And seek falsehood? Selah
But know that (A)the Lord has [c]set apart for Himself him who is godly;
The Lord will hear when I call to Him.

(B)Be[d] angry, and do not sin.
(C)Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah
Offer (D)the sacrifices of righteousness,
And (E)put your trust in the Lord.

There are many who say,
“Who will show us any good?”
(F)Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
You have put (G)gladness in my heart,
More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
(H)I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
(I)For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 4:1 Choir Director
  2. Psalm 4:1 Be gracious to me
  3. Psalm 4:3 Many Heb. mss., LXX, Tg., Vg. made wonderful
  4. Psalm 4:4 Lit. Tremble or Be agitated

Evening Prayer of Trust in God.

To the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have freed me when I was hemmed in and relieved me when I was in distress;
Be gracious to me and hear [and respond to] my prayer.


O sons of men, how long will my honor and glory be [turned into] shame?
How long will you [my enemies] love worthless (vain, futile) things and seek deception and lies? Selah.

But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself [and dealt wonderfully with] the godly man [the one of honorable character and moral courage—the one who does right].
The Lord hears and responds when I call to Him.


Tremble [with anger or fear], and do not sin;
Meditate in your heart upon your bed and be still [reflect on your sin and repent of your rebellion].(A) Selah.

Offer righteous sacrifices;
Trust [confidently] in the Lord.


Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see some good!”
Lift up the light of Your face upon us, O Lord.

You have put joy in my heart,
More than [others know] when their wheat and new wine have yielded abundantly.

In peace [and with a tranquil heart] I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety and confident trust.