Psalm 4:6

Translations

Modern

Many ask, “Who can show us the good?” Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD.

Traditional

There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

Literal

Many are saying, “Who will show us good?” Lift upon us the light of Your face, O YHWH.

Latin

Signatum est super nos lumen vultus tui, Domine: dedisti lætitiam in corde meo.

Original

Hebrew

English

Many ask, “Who can show us the good?” Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD.

Notes

Psalms 4:6

the light of Your face: When the psalmist speaks about God’s face, he is asking for God’s favor and peace (Numbers 6:25–26). God’s favor can change a situation from darkness to light (see Psalm 27:1).

Confident faith protects against anger, resentment, jealousy, and a desire for wealth as the highest good. When God’s favor is enough, other desires lose their power.

Psalms 4:1–8

This personal lament includes:

a prayer for rescue (Psalm 4:1)
a rebuke of the enemy (Psalm 4:2–3)
advice to the faithful (Psalm 4:4–5)
a statement of confidence (Psalm 4:6–8)

Psalms 3:1–7:17

This group of psalms moves from an orderly world to a troubled one. Psalms 1–2 describe stability. The righteous person is blessed, and the Lord’s anointed king rules with authority.

In the psalms that follow, the tone changes. The Lord’s anointed cries out for help. He faces enemies, strong opposition, and evil plans.

It even seems at times that the Lord is far away. The psalmist feels confusion and distress instead of confidence and calm.

Theme notes and profiles

David Darkness and Light God’s Presence in the Psalms

Related verses

Psalm 80:19
Restore us, O LORD God of Hosts; cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.
Numbers 6:26
…may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’
Psalm 119:135
Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.
Psalm 80:7
Restore us, O God of Hosts, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.
Psalm 89:15
Blessed are those who know the joyful sound, who walk, O LORD, in the light of Your presence.
Psalm 67:1
For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Psalm. A song. May God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah
Psalm 44:3
For it was not by their sword that they took the land; their arm did not bring them victory. It was by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, because You favored them.
Psalm 49:16–20
Do not be afraid when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases.
Ecclesiastes 2:3–26
I sought to cheer my body with wine and to embrace folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—until I could see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
James 5:1–5
Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you.
Psalm 80:1–3
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth
Luke 16:19
Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor.

Glossary

David Light Music Neginah, Neginoth Psalms, Book of

Topics

Countenance: Cheerful Infidelity: General Scriptures Concerning Light: Favour of God Prayer Under Affliction for Divine Comfort

Psalm 4:6

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