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Psalms / Chapter 4
Psalm 4 moves from urgent prayer to steady peace. The speaker answers public doubt with confidence that God hears, calls others away from empty aims, and ends with joy and safe rest in God alone.
Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness. Give me relief from my distress. Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
You sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? Will you love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah.
But know that Yahweh has set apart for himself him who is godly: Yahweh will hear when I call to him.
Stand in awe, and don`t sin. Search your own heart on your bed, and be still. Selah.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness. Put your trust in Yahweh.
Many say, "Who will show us any good?" Yahweh, let the light of your face shine on us.
You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and their new wine are increased.
In peace I will both lay myself down and sleep, For you, Yahweh alone, make me live in safety. Psalm 5 For the Chief Musician, with the flutes. A Psalm by David.
Psalms journey ยท Psalms 4
Full passage context
Start with the map and timeline, then explore verse notes, background, theology, questions, and related passages.
Prayer, lament, praise, kingship, and hope teach God's people to sing truthfully.
Movement
Worship across the whole story
Artifact
Prayer book of the covenant people
Biblical Timeline
Kingdom
Psalms context: 1000 BC - 586 BC
Psalms context
Kingdom / 1000 BC - 586 BC
Psalms context is set in the kingdom period, where Israel's monarchy from David and Solomon to exile.
Follow the movement of the chapter, then open any passage in its full context.
Context snapshot
Date
Collected across Israel's worship life, c. 1000-450 BC
Genre
Poetry, prayer, and praise
Setting
Israel/Judah worship tradition
Audience
Israel
World Stage
Davidic and temple worship leaders collection over centuries
Psalms gathers prayers and songs from royal, temple, crisis, exile, and restoration settings. Its world is Israel's worship life across generations, bringing covenant memory into praise, lament, confession, and hope.
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