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Psalm 4

Psa. 4:1 KJV (With Strong’s)

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1
<<To the γchief Musician
natsach (Hebrew #5329)
properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); also (as denominative from 5331), to be permanent
KJV usage: excel, chief musician (singer), oversee(-r), set forward.
Pronounce: naw-tsakh'
Origin: a primitive root
on Neginoth
ngiynah (Hebrew #5058)
from 5059; properly, instrumental music; by implication, a stringed instrument; by extension, a poem set to music; specifically, an epigram
KJV usage: stringed instrument, musick, Neginoth (plural), song.
Pronounce: neg-ee-naw'
Origin: or ngiynath (Psa. 61:title) {neg-ee-nath'}
, A Psalm
mizmowr (Hebrew #4210)
properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
KJV usage: psalm.
Pronounce: miz-more'
Origin: from 2167
of David
David (Hebrew #1732)
Daviyd {daw-veed'}; from the same as 1730; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse
KJV usage: David.
Pronounce: daw-veed'
Origin: rarely (fully)
.>> Hear
`anah (Hebrew #6030)
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extens. to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce
KJV usage: give account, afflict (by mistake for 6031), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for 6031), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, X scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also 1042, 1043.
Pronounce: aw-naw'
Origin: a primitive root
me when I call
qara' (Hebrew #7121)
to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
KJV usage: bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
Pronounce: kaw-raw'
Origin: a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea of accosting a person met)
, O God
'elohiym (Hebrew #430)
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
KJV usage: angels, X exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.
Pronounce: el-o-heem'
Origin: plural of 433
of my righteousness
tsedeq (Hebrew #6664)
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
KJV usage: X even, (X that which is altogether) just(-ice), ((un-))right(-eous) (cause, -ly, - ness).
Pronounce: tseh'-dek
Origin: from 6663
: thou hast enlarged
rachab (Hebrew #7337)
to broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative)
KJV usage: be an en-(make) large(-ing), make room, make (open) wide.
Pronounce: raw-khab'
Origin: a primitive root
me when I was in distress
tsar (Hebrew #6862)
from 6887; narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble (as in 6864); (transitive) an opponent (as crowding)
KJV usage: adversary, afflicted(-tion), anguish, close, distress, enemy, flint, foe, narrow, small, sorrow, strait, tribulation, trouble.
Pronounce: tsar
Origin: or tsar {tsawr}
; ζhave mercy
chanan (Hebrew #2603)
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition)
KJV usage: beseech, X fair, (be, find, shew) favour(-able), be (deal, give, grant (gracious(-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on, upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, X very.
Pronounce: khaw-nan'
Origin: a primitive root (compare 2583)
upon me, and hear
shama` (Hebrew #8085)
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
KJV usage: X attentively, call (gather) together, X carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
Pronounce: shaw-mah'
Origin: a primitive root
my prayer
tphillah (Hebrew #8605)
intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
KJV usage: prayer.
Pronounce: tef-il-law'
Origin: from 6419
.
γ
or, overseer,
Hab. 3:19• 19Jehovah, the Lord, is my strength, And he maketh my feet like hinds' feet, And he will make me to walk upon my high places. To the chief Musician. On my stringed instruments. (Hab. 3:19)
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ζ
or, be gracious unto.

More on:

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David,
God,
Mercy,
Music; Musicians; Musical Instruments,
Neginah; Neginoth,
Prayer,
Psalms,
Righteousness

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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1:  David prays for audience.
2-5:  He reproves and exhorts his enemies.
6-8:  Man's happiness is in God's favour.
(Title.)
chief Musician.
or, overseer.
Psa. 22:1• 1To the chief Musician. Upon Aijeleth-Shahar. A Psalm of David. My *God, my *God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou far from my salvation, from the words of my groaning? (Psa. 22:1)
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Psa. 42:1• 1To the chief Musician. An instruction; of the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. (Psa. 42:1)
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Psa. 45:1• 1To the chief Musician. Upon Shoshannim. Of the sons of Korah. An instruction;--a song of the Beloved. My heart is welling forth with a good matter: I say what I have composed touching the king. My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. (Psa. 45:1)
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Psa. 45•  (Psa. 45)
:*titles;
1 Chron. 25:1‑6• 1And David and the captains of the host separated for the service those of the sons of Asaph and of Heman and of Jeduthun who were to prophesy with harps and lutes and cymbals; and the number of the men employed according to their service was:
 2of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asharelah, the sons of Asaph under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied at the direction of the king.
 3Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Isaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, and Shimei six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, to give thanks and to praise Jehovah.
 4Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkijah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth:
 5all these were sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to exalt his power; and God had given to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
 6All these were under the direction of their fathers Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman, for song in the house of Jehovah, with cymbals, lutes and harps, for the service of the house of God, under the direction of the king. (1 Chron. 25:1‑6)
Neginoth.
Psa. 6:1• 1To the chief Musician. On stringed instruments, upon Sheminith. A Psalm of David. Jehovah, rebuke me not in thine anger, and chasten me not in thy hot displeasure. (Psa. 6:1)
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Psa. 67:1• 1To the chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A Psalm: a Song. God be gracious unto us, and bless us, and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah, (Psa. 67:1)
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Psa. 76:1• 1To the chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph: a Song. In Judah is God known, his name is great in Israel; (Psa. 76:1)
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Psa. 76•  (Psa. 76)
:*titles;
Hab. 3:19• 19Jehovah, the Lord, is my strength, And he maketh my feet like hinds' feet, And he will make me to walk upon my high places. To the chief Musician. On my stringed instruments. (Hab. 3:19)
;
Hab. 3•  (Hab. 3)
:*marg:
O.
Psa. 11:7• 7For righteous is Jehovah; he loveth righteousness, his countenance doth behold the upright. (Psa. 11:7)
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Psa. 24:5• 5He shall receive blessing from Jehovah, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (Psa. 24:5)
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Psa. 41:12• 12But as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever. (Psa. 41:12)
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Isa. 45:24• 24Only in Jehovah, shall one say, have I righteousness and strength. To him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. (Isa. 45:24)
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Jer. 23:6• 6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell in safety; and this is his name whereby he shall be called, Jehovah our Righteousness. (Jer. 23:6)
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1 Cor. 1:30• 30But of him are *ye* in Christ Jesus, who has been made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness, and holiness, and redemption; (1 Cor. 1:30)
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2 Cor. 5:20‑21• 20We are ambassadors therefore for Christ, God as it were beseeching by us, we entreat for Christ, Be reconciled to God.
 21Him who knew not sin he has made sin for us, that *we* might become God's righteousness in him. (2 Cor. 5:20‑21)
thou.
Psa. 18:18‑19• 18They encountered me in the day of my calamity, but Jehovah was my stay.
 19And he brought me forth into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. (Psa. 18:18‑19)
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Psa. 31:8• 8And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large place. (Psa. 31:8)
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Psa. 40:1‑3• 1To the chief Musician. Of David. A Psalm. I waited patiently for Jehovah; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
 2And he brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock; he hath established my goings:
 3And he hath put a new song in my mouth, praise unto our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall confide in Jehovah. (Psa. 40:1‑3)
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Psa. 116:6,16• 6Jehovah keepeth the simple: I was brought low, and he saved me.
 16Yea, Jehovah! for I am thy servant; I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. (Psa. 116:6,16)
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1 Sam. 17:37• 37And David said, Jehovah who delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Go, and Jehovah be with thee. (1 Sam. 17:37)
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1 Sam. 19:11‑12• 11And Saul sent messengers to David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning; and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to-night, to-morrow thou wilt be put to death.
 12And Michal let David down through a window; and he went, and fled and escaped. (1 Sam. 19:11‑12)
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1 Sam. 23:26‑28• 26And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain; and David made haste to get away from Saul; and Saul and his men sought to surround David and his men to take them.
 27But there came a messenger to Saul, saying, Haste thee and come; for the Philistines have made a raid against the land.
 28And Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines; therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth. (1 Sam. 23:26‑28)
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Job 36:16• 16Even so would he have allured thee out of the jaws of distress into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and the supply of thy table would be full of fatness. (Job 36:16)
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2 Cor. 1:8,10• 8For we do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, as to our tribulation which happened to us in Asia, that we were excessively pressed beyond our power, so as to despair even of living.
 10who has delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver; in whom we confide that he will also yet deliver; (2 Cor. 1:8,10)
have mercy upon me.
or, be gracious unto me.
Psa. 56:1• 1To the chief Musician. On Jonathelem-rechokim. Of David. Michtam; when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be gracious unto me, O God; for man would swallow me up: all the day long fighting he oppresseth me. (Psa. 56:1)
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Psa. 57:1• 1To the chief Musician. 'Destroy not.' Of David. Michtam; when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be gracious unto me, O God, be gracious unto me; for my soul taketh refuge in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings do I take refuge, until the calamities be overpast. (Psa. 57:1)
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Psa. 86:3‑5• 3Be gracious unto me, O Lord; for unto thee do I call all the day.
 4Rejoice the soul of thy servant; for unto thee, Lord, do I lift up my soul.
 5For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, and art of great loving-kindness unto all that call upon thee. (Psa. 86:3‑5)
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Psa. 119:75‑77,132• 75I know, Jehovah, that thy Judgments are righteousness, and that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.
 76Oh let thy loving-kindness be for my comfort, according to thy *word unto thy servant.
 77Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live; for thy law is my delight.
 132Turn unto me, and be gracious unto me, as thou art wont to do unto those that love thy name. (Psa. 119:75‑77,132)
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Psa. 143:2• 2And enter not into judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight no man living shall be justified. (Psa. 143:2)
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Ex. 34:6‑7• 6And Jehovah passed by before his face, and proclaimed, Jehovah, Jehovah *God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in goodness and truth,
 7keeping mercy unto thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but by no means clearing the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation. (Ex. 34:6‑7)
• Book 1, Series 1. The beginning of sorrows. (““The Placement of the Psalms in Prophecy”” by B. Anstey)
• The fourth Psalm affords us another most important principle, the effect of a good conscience in calling upon God in our distress. (“Practical Reflections on the Psalms: Psalms 1-4” by J.N. Darby)
• The soul is in trouble, yet had been enlarged, had had experience of God's faithful lovingkindness. His glory and honor was from God. How true this was of Christ! (“Practical Reflections on the Psalms: Psalms 1-4” by J.N. Darby)
• We are a peculiar people to Himself. Now this is always true, but in walking in godliness we have the present confidence of it, and our eye sees God brightly, and we know then He will hear us. (“Scripture Imagery: 66. Israel As Illustrating the Principles of Divine Service” by J.C. Bayley)
• Confidence in God, in the presence of enemies, flowing from the consciousness of integrity, and the experience of God’s mercy in former troubles. (“Psalms 4” by H. Smith)
• Moreover his confidence in God flows from the knowledge of God’s mercy proved in former trials. Experience had taught the psalmist that seasons of pressure had been occasions of soul-enlargement. (“Psalms 4” by H. Smith)

J. N. Darby Translation

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1
To the chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. When I callb, answer me, O God of my righteousness: in pressure thou hast enlarged me; be gracious unto me, and hear my prayer.

JND Translation Notes

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b
It is abstract, "in my calling." so ver. 3.