Amplified Bible
Psalms 4:6
6Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see some good!” Lift up the light of Your face upon us, O Lord.
Psalms 4:6 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
- New International Version (NIV)Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us.
- English Standard Version (ESV)There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!"
- New King James Version (NKJV)There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?” Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
Context of Psalms 4:6
4Tremble [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]. Selah. 5Offer 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. 7You have put joy in my heart, More than [others know] when their wheat and new wine have yielded abundantly. 8In 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.
Read all of Psalms 4Psalms 4:6 word by word
רַבִּ֥ים אֹמְרִים֮ מִֽי־יַרְאֵ֪נ֫וּ ט֥וֹב נְֽסָה־עָ֭לֵינוּ א֨וֹר פָּנֶ֬יךָ יְהוָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 4:6
- Psalms 39:6Surely every man walks around like a shadow [in a charade]; Surely they make an uproar for nothing; Each one builds up riches, not knowing who will receive them.
- Psalms 49:16Be not afraid when [an ungodly] man becomes rich, When the wealth and glory of his house are increased;
- Ecclesiastes 2:3I explored with my mind how to gratify myself with wine while [at the same time] having my mind remain steady and guide me wisely; and how to take control of foolishness, until I could see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.
- Isaiah 55:2Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, And your earnings for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight in abundance.
- Luke 12:19And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many good things stored up, [enough] for many years; rest and relax, eat, drink and be merry (celebrate continually).” ’
- Luke 16:19“Now there was a certain rich man who was habitually dressed in expensive purple and fine linen, and celebrated and lived joyously in splendor every day.
- James 4:13Come now [and pay attention to this], you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and carry on our business and make a profit.”
- James 5:1Come [quickly] now, you rich [who lack true faith and hoard and misuse your resources], weep and howl over the miseries [the woes, the judgments] that are coming upon you.
- Psalms 21:6For You make him most blessed [and a blessing] forever; You make him joyful with the joy of Your presence.
- Psalms 42:5Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence.
- Psalms 44:3For our fathers did not possess the land [of Canaan] by their own sword, Nor did their own arm save them, But Your right hand and Your arm and the light of Your presence, Because You favored and delighted in them.
- Psalms 67:1God be gracious and kind-hearted to us and bless us, And make His face shine [with favor] on us— Selah.
- Psalms 80:1Hear us O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned above the cherubim [of the ark of the covenant], shine forth!
- Psalms 89:15Blessed and happy are the people who know the joyful sound [of the trumpet’s blast]! They walk, O Lord, in the light and favor of Your countenance!
- Psalms 119:135Make Your face shine [with pleasure] upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes.
- Numbers 6:26The Lord lift up His countenance (face) upon you [with divine approval], And give you peace [a tranquil heart and life].’
Commentaries on Psalms 4:6
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6Who will show us any good? - This is not a fair translation. The word any is not in the text, nor any thing equivalent to it; and not a few have quoted it, and preached upon the text, placing the principal emphasis on this illegitimate word. The place is sufficiently emphatic without this. There are multitudes who say, Who will show us good? Man wants good; he hates evil as evil, because he has pain, suffering, and death through it; and he wishes to find…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6There be many that say - Some have supposed, as DeWette and others, that the allusion of the psalmist here is to his own followers, and that the reference is to their anxious fears in their misfortunes, as if they were poor and forsaken, and knew not from from where the supply of their wants would come. The more probable interpretation, however, is that the allusion is to the general anxiety of mankind, as contrasted with the feelings and desires of the…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-8Verses 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…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 6the 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.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 6-76-7. Contrast true with vain confidence. light of thy countenance upon us--figure for favor (Nu 6:26; Psa 44:3; 81:16).Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 4:6
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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