Psalm 4:8,Psalm 116:7

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 4:1-8

Psalms 4:0 Augustine quotes this Psalm as of special value, and worthy to be sung aloud before the whole world for an expression of Christian courage, and a testimony of the peace God can give in outward and inward trouble ( Conf. IX. 4). 'I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety'. James Melville quoted it, among others, when he was dying, 'This being done, he comforteth himself with sundrie speeches out of the Psalms, quhilk he rehearsit in... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 4:1-8

Psalms 4:1-8Psalms 3:1-8; Psalms 4:1-8 are a pair. They are similar in expression (my glory, there be many which say, I laid me down and slept) in the psalmist’s situation, and in structure (as indicated by the Selahs). But they need not be contemporaneous, nor need the superscription of Psalms 3:1-8 be extended to Psalms 4:1-8. Their tone is different, the fourth having little reference to the personal danger so acutely felt in Psalms 3:1-8 and being mainly a gentle, earnest remonstrance with... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 4:1-8

Psalms 4:0 1. The cry to Jehovah (Psalms 4:1-3 ) 2. The warning to the enemies (Psalms 4:4-5 ) 3. The assurance of faith (Psalms 4:6-8 ) Psalms 4:1-3 . The fourth Psalm is closely connected with the third; the third is “a Morning Psalm” and the fourth “an Evening Hymn.” He calls God “God of my righteousness” and He knows that He will act in righteousness toward him, be gracious and hear prayer. Then the appeal to the sons of men, who love emptiness and seek after a lie. They should know... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 4:8

4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, {l} only makest me dwell in safety.(l) This word in Hebrew may be referred to God, as it is here translated, or to David, signifying that he should dwell as joyfully alone, as if he had many about him, because the Lord is with him. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Psalms 4:1-8

Psalms 1:0 True happiness is the theme of this psalm, whose author is unnamed. The negative side of true happiness is stated (Psalms 1:1 ), and then the positive (Psalms 1:2 ). Its reward follows (Psalms 1:3 ). Its nature and value are emphasized by a sharp contrast. Such a man is godly, his opposite ungodly (Psalms 1:4 ). The first is marked by stability, the second by instability (Psalms 1:4 ). The first has endless fruitfulness and blessing, the second has nothing and worse than nothing... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Psalms 4:1-8

Psalms 4:0 [Note. This is the Evening Psalm, and probably it was composed at the same period as the preceding psalm. It is supposed that some of the expressions point to the period of the persecution of David by Saul; on the other hand, it is asserted that they are quite compatible with that of David's flight from Absalom. There are no imprecations upon his foes, a circumstance which is considered to point to Absalom rather than to Saul. This was one of the psalms repeated by Augustine at his... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 4:8

Happy and gracious conclusion of every truly regenerate soul, convinced of an interest in Christ, and a personal union with him. The beloved of the Lord shall dwell safely. Isaiah 32:18 . REFLECTIONS READER! let you and I never lose sight of the Lord Jesus while reading this Psalm. He is the Lord our righteousness. And, therefore, in all our approaches to the mercy-seat, let us go there in a language corresponding to this, which calls Jesus the God of our righteousness. And while men of the... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Psalms 4:8

By. Hebrew and St. Augustine, "From the time of their corn and wine" (Calmet) gathering. I rejoiced "more" than those who live in the greatest affluence, which is nothing but vanity. No mention is made of oil, but the original term, "liquor," includes it. (Berthier) --- St. Jerome found it not in the Hexapla. But it now occurs in the Arabic, Syriac, &c. (Calmet) --- David envies not the present prosperity of the rebels. (Haydock) --- He comforts his followers with the assurance of God's... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 4:6-8

6-8 Wordly people inquire for good, not for the chief good; all they want is outward good, present good, partial good, good meat, good drink, a good trade, and a good estate; but what are all these worth? Any good will serve the turn of most men, but a gracious soul will not be put off so. Lord, let us have thy favour, and let us know that we have it, we desire no more; let us be satisfied of thy loving-kindness, and will be satisfied with it. Many inquire after happiness, but David had found... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Psalms 4:1-8

Evening Prayer of a Christian in Every Kind of Trouble. David, in his flight before Absalom, had come to Mahanaim, on the east side of Jordan, 2 Samuel 17:24-Ezekiel :. He had a number of faithful men with him, but the army of Absalom, recruited from all Israel, was much larger. In order, therefore, to stimulate his own courage and to revive the drooping spirits of his men. David wrote this hymn, which, on account of its divine inspiration, has become a song of consolation for all those who... read more