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 moved with anger, and sin not; meditate in your own hearts upon your bed, and be still. Selah. 5Offer sacrifices of righteousness, and confide in Jehovah. Many say, Who shall cause us to see good? Lift up upon us the light of thy countenance, O Jehovah. 7Thou hast put joy in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their new wine was in abundance. 8In peace will I both lay me down and sleep; for thou, Jehovah, alone makest me to dwell in safety.

Psalms 4:6 word by word

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

Cross-references for Psalms 4:6

• Psalms 39:6Verily, man walketh in a vain show; verily they are disquieted in vain; he heapeth up [riches], and knoweth not who shall gather them.
• Psalms 49:16Be not afraid when a man becometh rich, when the glory of his house is increased:
• Ecclesiastes 2:3I searched in my heart how to cherish my flesh with wine, while practising my heart with wisdom; and how to lay hold on folly, till I should see what was that good for the children of men which they should do under the heavens all the days of their life.
• Isaiah 55:2Wherefore do ye spend money for [that which is] not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye [that which is] good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
• Luke 12:19and I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much good things laid by for many years; repose thyself, eat, drink, be merry.
• Luke 16:19Now there was a rich man and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, making good cheer in splendour every day.
• James 4:13Go to now, ye who say, To-day or to-morrow will we go into such a city and spend a year there, and traffic and make gain,
• James 5:1Go to now, ye rich, weep, howling over your miseries that [are] coming upon [you].
• Psalms 21:6For thou hast made him to be blessings for ever; thou hast filled him with joy by thy countenance.
• Psalms 42:5Why art thou cast down, my soul, and art disquieted in me? hope in God; for I shall yet praise him, [for] the health of his countenance.
• Psalms 44:3For not by their own sword did they take possession of the land, neither did their own arm save them; but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst delight in them.
• Psalms 67:1God be gracious unto us, and bless us, [and] cause his face to shine upon us; Selah,
• Psalms 80:1Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that sittest [between] the cherubim, shine forth.
• Psalms 89:15Blessed is the people that know the shout of joy: they walk, O Jehovah, in the light of thy countenance.
• Psalms 119:135Make thy face to shine upon thy servant, and teach me thy statutes.
• Numbers 6:26Jehovah lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee 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