New Living Translation
Psalms 4:6
6Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile 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
4Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude 5Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the Lord. Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, Lord. 7You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. 8In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.
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 39:6We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.
- Psalms 49:16So don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow rich and their homes become ever more splendid.
- Ecclesiastes 2:3After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.
- Isaiah 55:2Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food.
- Luke 12:19And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
- Luke 16:19Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury.
- James 4:13Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.”
- James 5:1Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you.
- Psalms 21:6You have endowed him with eternal blessings and given him the joy of your presence.
- Psalms 42:5Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and
- Psalms 44:3They did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory. It was your right hand and strong arm and the blinding light from your face that helped them, for you loved them.
- Psalms 67:1May God be merciful and bless us. May his face smile with favor on us. Interlude
- Psalms 80:1Please listen, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph’s descendants like a flock. O God, enthroned above the cherubim, display your radiant glory
- Psalms 89:15Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
- Psalms 119:135Look upon me with love; teach me your decrees.
- Numbers 6:26May the Lord show you his favor and give you his 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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