Salmos 4
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Salmos 4
BRIEF OUTLINE Opening prayer to God, Ps. 4:1 Address to opponents, Ps. 4:2-3 Commands for an appropriate response to God, Ps. 4:4-5 Closing prayer to God, Ps. 4:6-8
Salmos 4:1
4:1 Notice the IMPERATIVES used to implore God. answer me ‒ BDB 772, KB 851, Qal IMPERATIVE, cf. Ps. 27:7 be gracious to me ‒ BDB 335, KB 334, Qal IMPERATIVE, cf. Ps. 25:16; 69:16 hear my prayer ‒ BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal IMPERATIVE, cf. Ps. 17:6; 39:12 The psalmist expects God to hear and act (cf. Ps. 3:4; 6:8,9; 17:6; 86:7)! Prayer is not only request, it is fellowship! We need Him even more than our answered requests! ▣ Notice how the psalmist characterizes God. O God of my righteousness (see SPECIAL TOPIC: RIGHTEOUSNESS) O God, reliever of my distress There are so many personal PRONOUNS in these first two verses! YHWH is the only source of "righteousness," which brings peace (both physically and spiritually)! SPECIAL TOPIC: DESCRIPTIVE TITLES FOR GOD ▣ NASB, NKJV "relieved me" NRSV, LXX "gave me room" "set me at large" JPSOA, REB "freed me" "comforted me" The Hebrew word (BDB 931, KB 1210, Hiphil PERFECT) is an idiom for a wide space (cf. Ps. 18:19), the opposite of "restriction" (i.e., oppression, tribulation, narrow straights, BDB 865, "distress"). Its figurative usage can be seen in Gen. 26:22; Deut. 33:20; Ps. 25:17; Isa. 54:2; 57:8.
Salmos 4:2-3
4:2 The author develops the antagonistic setting by two questions directed to those who oppose. reproach/shame — BDB 484 worthless/vain words — BDB 938 deception/lies — BDB 469 As God is called "my righteousness" in Ps. 4:1, now He is called on to reveal the attitude, motives, and actions of those who would do the psalmist harm. ▣ "my honor become a reproach" "my glory to shame" "heavy of heart" The NJB follows the LXX, which apparently translated a different Hebrew text than the MT. The UBS Text Project (p. 165) gives the MT a "C" rating (considerable doubt), meaning the translation committee could not decide between the two choices. ▣ "Selah" See note at Psalm 3:2. 4:3 How should the opponents respond to the psalmist's questions of Ps. 4:2? know (Qal IMPERATIVE) that the Lord has set apart (LXX, "has done wondrous things for His holy one," cf. NJB, NEB) the godly man for Himself (UBS Text Project gives an "A" rating [very high probability]) the Lord hears the godly man (BDB 339) when he prays (v. 4b MT) YHWH knows and responds to His true followers. An attack on them is an attack on Him!
Salmos 4:4-5
4:4-5 There is a series of commands whereby the psalmist suggests how his opponents (i.e., "sons of men," Ps. 4:2) should live. tremble – BDB 919, KB 1182, Qal IMPERATIVE do not sin – BDB 306, KB 305, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense meditate (lit. speak) – BDB 55, KB 65, Qal IMPERATIVE, cf. Ps. 77:6 be still – BDB 198, KB 226, Qal IMPERATIVE offer sacrifices – BDB 256, KB 261, Qal IMPERATIVE trust in YHWH – BDB 105, KB 120, Qal IMPERATIVE, cf. Ps. 37:3; 62:8 4:4 Number 2 above is quoted by Paul in Eph. 4:26 in combination with Deut. 24:15, as "be angry, and yet do not sin," which is from the LXX. The MT has "tremble" which denotes "fear" (cf. Isa. 32:11; Micah 7:17; Hab. 3:16), not anger. New Testament authors usually use the LXX, but Paul often uses the MT, Targums, or his own translation. See full note at Rom. 9:33. ▣ NASB, NKJV, REB "meditate" "ponder" NJB, LXX "speak" "think deeply" "the Lord hears" "commune" The JPSOA follows the MT, which translated the poetic line as referring to YHWH, not the psalmist. The UBS Hebrew Text Project, vol. 3, p. 166, gives the MT an "A" rating. The other translations follow the LXX. MT "Know that the Lord singles out the faithful for Himself'" The Lord hears when I call to Him." LXX "Be angry and do not sin; Speak in your hearts, And on your beds be stunned into silence." Paul follows the LXX in Eph. 4:26. ▣ "be still" The word (BDB 198, KB 226) has several usages. fear in battle – Exod. 15:14-16 speechless in judgment – 2 Sam. 2:9 silence in death – Ps. 31:17; 94:17; Jer. 48:2; 49:26 shocked silence at destruction – Jer. 25:37 silence of wisdom in an appropriate moment – Ps. 4:4; 62:5; 131:2; Amos 5:13 ▣ "Selah" See notes at Psalm 3:2. 4:5 "trust in the Lord" This is a recurrent theme (BDB 105, KB 120). a call to sinners – Ps. 4:5 a call to the faithful – Ps. 9:10; 32:10; 37:3,5; 40:3; 55:23; 56:4,11; 84:12; 91:2; 112:7; 115:11; 125:1; 143:8; Prov. 16:20; 29:25; Isa. 26:3-4 the king – Ps. 21:7; 25:2; 26:1; 28:7 the fathers – Ps. 22:4-5 O people – Ps. 62:8; 115:9 priests – Ps. 115:10 It is trust in YHWH and His word that brings hope (cf. Ps. 4:3), joy (cf. Ps. 4:7), and peace (cf. Ps. 4:8) in this fallen world.
Salmos 4:6-8
4:6-7 Like Ps. 4:2, 4:6 begins with a question which reflects the attitude, motives, and actions of the psalmist's opponents. The answer is the request (Qal IMPERATIVE) that YHWH "lift up the light of His countenance" (cf. Num. 6:26; Ps. 80:3,7,19). This is an idiom of Deity taking personal notice and extending mercy to His faithful (Ps. 4:5b) followers (cf. Ps. 27:1; Micah 7:8). YHWH has put gladness in the psalmist's heart put peace in the psalmist's heart put safety in the psalmist's heart 4:6 "the Light of Your countenance" This is idiomatic language for YHWH's care, notice, and concern for an individual (cf. Num. 6:26; here) or a nation (cf. Ps. 44:3; 89:15). Light was a symbol of truth and goodness. 4:7 "heart" See SPECIAL TOPIC: THE HEART ▣ "new grain" The UBS Handbook (p. 47) mentions that the Hebrew MSS found in the Dead Sea Scrolls, as well as the LXX and Vulgate, add "and olive oil" after "grain" and before "new wine," which may come from Deut. 7:13; 11:14; 12:17; 14:23; 18:4; 28:51. ▣ "new wine" See SPECIAL TOPIC: BIBLICAL ATTITUDES TOWARD ALCOHOL (fermentation) and ALCOHOLISM (addiction) 4:8 NASB, NKJV, Peshitta, NRSV, REB, NJB "For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety" NET, JPSOA (footnote) "For You, O Lord, keep me alone and secure" The word "alone" (BDB 94) can modify the Lord the faithful follower who sleeps alone (i.e., no enemies present)