Psalms 4:6

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

4Be angry, yet do not sin; on your bed, search your heart and be still. Selah 5Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the LORD. Many ask, “Who can show us the good?” Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD. 7You have filled my heart with more joy than when grain and new wine abound. 8I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Psalms 4:6 word by word

רַבִּ֥ים אֹמְרִים֮ מִֽי־יַרְאֵ֪נ֫וּ ט֥וֹב נְֽסָה־עָ֭לֵינוּ א֨וֹר פָּנֶ֬יךָ יְהוָֽה׃Read the interlinear

• Manyרַבrab · manyH7227
• askאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• Whoמִיmîy · who?H4310
• can show usרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seeH7200
• the goodטוֹבţôb · goodH2896
• Shineנָשָׂאnâώâ' nâsâh · to lift: kindnessH5375
• the lightאוֹר'ôr · lightH216
• of Your faceפָּנֶהpânîym · faceH6440
• upon usעַל‛al · uponH5921
• O LORDיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068

Cross-references for Psalms 4:6

• Psalms 39:6Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.
• Psalms 49:16Do not be afraid when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases.
• Ecclesiastes 2:3I 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.
• Isaiah 55:2Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.
• Luke 12:19Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
• Luke 16:19Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor.
• James 4:13Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.”
• James 5:1Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you.
• Psalms 21:6For You grant him blessings forever; You cheer him with joy in Your presence.
• Psalms 42:5Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence.
• Psalms 44:3For 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.
• Psalms 67:1May God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah
• Psalms 80:1Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth
• Psalms 89:15Blessed are those who know the joyful sound, who walk, O LORD, in the light of Your presence.
• Psalms 119:135Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.
• Numbers 6:26may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’

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

• Countenance
• Infidelity

In the dictionaries

• Apart
• Awe
• Commune
• Fellowship
• Lay
• Light
• Neginoth
• Stand
• Apocalyptic Literature
• Countenance

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