Christian Standard Bible
Psalms 4:6
6Many are asking, “Who can show us anything good?” Let the light of your face shine on us, 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
4Be angry and do not sin; reflect in your heart while on your bed and be silent. Selah 5Offer sacrifices in righteousness and trust in the Lord. Many are asking, “Who can show us anything good?” Let the light of your face shine on us, Lord. 7You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound. 8I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Lord, make me live in safety.
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 39:6Yes, a person goes about like a mere shadow. Indeed, they rush around in vain, gathering possessions without knowing who will get them.
- Psalms 49:16Do not be afraid when a person gets rich, when the wealth of his house increases.
- Ecclesiastes 2:3I explored with my mind the pull of wine on my body — my mind still guiding me with wisdom — and how to grasp folly, until I could see what is good for people to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
- Isaiah 55:2Why do you spend silver on what is not food, and your wages on what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and you will enjoy the choicest of foods.
- Luke 12:19Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”’
- Luke 16:19“There was a rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day.
- James 4:13Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.”
- James 5:1Come now, you rich people, weep and wail over the miseries that are coming on you.
- Psalms 21:6You give him blessings forever; you cheer him with joy in your presence.
- Psalms 42:5Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.
- Psalms 44:3For they did not take the land by their sword — their arm did not bring them victory — but by your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, because you were favorable toward them.
- Psalms 67:1May God be gracious to us and bless us; may he make his face shine upon usSelah
- Psalms 80:1Listen, Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine
- Psalms 89:15Happy are the people who know the joyful shout; Lord, they walk in the light from your face.
- Psalms 119:135Make your face shine on your servant, and teach me your statutes.
- Numbers 6:26may the Lord look with favor on 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
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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