Psalms 4:1

KJV

¶ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me [when I was] in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

KJV (with Strong's)

To the chief Musician {H5329} on Neginoth {H5058}, A Psalm {H4210} of David {H1732}. Hear {H6030} me when I call {H7121}, O God {H430} of my righteousness {H6664}: thou hast enlarged {H7337} me when I was in distress {H6862}; have mercy {H2603} upon me, and hear {H8085} my prayer {H8605}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the leader. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David: O God, my vindicator! Answer me when I call! When I was distressed, you set me free; now have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

Berean Standard Bible

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved my distress; show me grace and hear my prayer.

American Standard Version

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness; Thou hast set me at large when I was in distress: Have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 4:1 opens with a fervent and confident appeal from David to God, encapsulating his consistent practice of seeking divine intervention in times of severe adversity. This verse establishes a foundational trust in God's character as his righteous vindicator, recalling past deliverances as a powerful basis for present hope and a humble plea for mercy. It sets the stage for a psalm that masterfully navigates the tension between earthly opposition and the profound peace found in God, serving as an enduring model for all who seek the Lord's help.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 4 functions as a prayer of confidence, often considered an evening psalm, complementing Psalm 3, which is typically viewed as a morning psalm. Both psalms, attributed to David, share a common thread of personal lament coupled with unwavering expressions of trust in God despite facing numerous adversaries. While [Psalm 3](/psalms/3 "Psalm 3 - David's Prayer in Absalom's Rebellion") portrays David fleeing from many foes, likely during Absalom's rebellion, [Psalm 4](/psalms/4 "Psalm 4 - A Prayer for Vindication") shifts its focus to an appeal for vindication against those who "love vain words" and "seek after leasing" ([Psalm 4:2](/psalms/4-2 "Psalm 4:2 - How Long Will You Love Vain Words?")). The superscription, "To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David," highlights its liturgical purpose and musical accompaniment, suggesting its design for public worship and instruction rather than merely private reflection. The psalm progresses from an initial earnest plea to a confident declaration of peace and security found solely in God, even when opposition persists.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Attributed to King David, this psalm likely originates from a period of significant personal or national adversity, where David faced opposition, false accusations, or political intrigue. Such challenges were a recurring feature of David's life, whether during Saul's relentless pursuit, Absalom's rebellion, or other threats to his kingship. In ancient Israelite society, "righteousness" (Hebrew: *ṣeḏeq*) was not merely an abstract moral quality but was deeply intertwined with one's legal standing, vindication, and covenant faithfulness. To be "righteous" often meant to be in right relationship with God and to be declared innocent or justified in the face of accusation. David's appeal to God as "the God of my righteousness" is thus a profound plea for divine vindication and intervention against his accusers, a common and vital theme throughout the Psalms where the righteous often suffer at the hands of the wicked. The mention of "Neginoth" further underscores the vibrant musical tradition of Israelite worship, where psalms served as both deeply personal prayers and communal hymns.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 4:1 introduces several profound themes that resonate throughout the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. The primary theme is **Prayer in Distress**, highlighting David's immediate and earnest recourse to God during affliction, a pattern seen throughout the Psalter, such as in [Psalm 18:6](/psalms/18-6 "Psalm 18:6 - David's Cry to God in Distress") where he cries out to the Lord in his trouble. Another crucial theme is **God as the Source of Righteousness and Vindication**. David addresses God as "O God of my righteousness," signifying that God is the one who vindicates him, declares him just, and acts righteously on his behalf against his adversaries. This reflects God's character as a just judge and defender of the innocent, as also seen in [Psalm 7:10](/psalms/7-10 "Psalm 7:10 - God as a Shield to the Upright"), where God is described as the shield of the upright in heart. Furthermore, the verse emphasizes **Past Deliverance as a Foundation for Present Hope**. David recalls, "thou hast enlarged me [when I was] in distress," demonstrating how remembering God's past faithfulness in providing relief from oppressive situations fuels his confidence for future deliverance. This principle of recalling God's mighty deeds to bolster faith is a recurring motif, powerfully exemplified in [Psalm 77:11](/psalms/77-11 "Psalm 77:11 - Remembering God's Deeds"). Finally, the verse concludes with a humble **Plea for Mercy and Divine Attention**, revealing David's utter reliance on God's compassion and willingness to hear, a plea echoed in many laments, including [Psalm 51:1](/psalms/51-1 "Psalm 51:1 - David's Prayer for Mercy"), where he asks God to have mercy according to His steadfast love.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Neginoth (Hebrew, _nᵉgîynâh'_):** This term, appearing in the superscriptions of several psalms (e.g., [Psalm 6](/psalms/6 "Psalm 6 - A Prayer in Time of Trouble"), [Psalm 54](/psalms/54 "Psalm 54 - A Prayer for Deliverance")), is derived from a root meaning "to strike" or "to pluck," and refers to instrumental music, specifically stringed instruments. Its presence indicates that the psalm was intended for public worship and performance with musical accompaniment, underscoring its liturgical and communal context. It suggests the psalm was designed not merely for private reflection but for a vibrant, musical expression of faith within the temple or communal setting.
* **Righteousness (Hebrew, _tsedeq'_):** The Hebrew word *tsedeq* carries the meaning of "the right" in a natural, moral, or legal sense. It can denote equity, justice, or even prosperity. In the context of "God of my righteousness," David is not asserting his own inherent moral perfection, but rather appealing to God's character as the one who embodies and dispenses justice. It is an appeal to God's covenant faithfulness and His role as the ultimate judge who establishes what is right, defends the oppressed, and declares the innocent righteous. It signifies that God is the source and vindicator of David's just cause.
* **Enlarged (Hebrew, _râchab'_):** This verb means "to broaden," "to expand," or "to make wide." In this context, it is used figuratively to describe God's action of bringing David out of a narrow, constricted, or oppressive situation into a place of freedom, relief, and security. The term "distress" (Hebrew: *tsar*) often implies being "cramped" or "hemmed in." Therefore, to be "enlarged" is to be given ample room, to be freed from confinement, and to experience liberation from a tight spot. This powerful imagery conveys God's ability to create space, provide comfort, and deliver from overwhelming and seemingly inescapable circumstances.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David.":** This is the superscription, providing vital information about the psalm's authorship, musical setting, and intended use. "A Psalm of David" attributes the composition to King David, imbuing it with historical weight and personal insight into his spiritual life. "To the chief Musician on Neginoth" indicates that the psalm was entrusted to the choirmaster for performance with stringed instruments, highlighting its role in public worship and its artistic design as a piece intended for musical recitation or singing.
* **"Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness:":** This segment constitutes David's immediate and urgent plea to God. "Hear me when I call" is a direct and earnest cry for divine attention, signifying David's absolute dependence on God in his time of need. Addressing God as "O God of my righteousness" is a profound theological declaration. It means David appeals to God as the ultimate source of his vindication, the one who will act justly on his behalf, and the one who establishes what is right in his situation. It is a plea for God to intervene and demonstrate His just character by setting things right for David.
* **"thou hast enlarged me [when I was] in distress;":** Here, David powerfully recalls God's past faithfulness and intervention. The phrase "thou hast enlarged me" employs a vivid metaphor for liberation, signifying that God has previously brought David out of constricted, oppressive, or overwhelming circumstances into a place of freedom, relief, and security. This remembrance of God's consistent past deliverance serves as the bedrock for David's present hope and confidence, demonstrating that God is actively involved and consistently faithful in the lives of His people.
* **"have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.":** This concluding phrase reiterates David's earnest petition, now infused with deep humility and reliance on God's compassion. "Have mercy upon me" (Hebrew: *chânan*) is a plea for gracious favor, acknowledging that any deliverance or relief is a gift of God's compassion and not something David is entitled to. The repetition of "and hear my prayer" emphasizes the depth of David's need and his earnest desire for God's active and responsive intervention, bringing the verse full circle to his initial urgent cry for divine attention.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 4:1 skillfully employs several impactful literary devices that enhance its emotional and theological resonance. The most prominent is **Apostrophe**, evident as David directly addresses "O God of my righteousness." This direct address establishes an immediate and intimate tone, highlighting the personal and relational nature of his desperate plea to the divine. A powerful **Metaphor** is found in the phrase "thou hast enlarged me," which uses spatial imagery—literally "made wide" or "spacious"—to represent liberation and relief from a constricted, oppressive state of "distress." This vivid image effectively conveys the tangible experience of divine deliverance and the profound sense of freedom it brings. The verse also exhibits a form of **Parallelism** in its concluding petitions, "have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer," where two closely related requests are presented in succession, reinforcing each other and intensifying the earnestness of the plea. Overall, the psalm itself functions as a **Lament** or **Prayer of Confidence**, a common genre in the Psalter characterized by an initial cry of distress, a subsequent statement of trust in God, and a concluding petition or vow of praise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 4:1 serves as a foundational statement regarding the nature of prayer, God's immutable character, and the believer's appropriate response to adversity. It profoundly underscores the theological truth that God is not a distant or indifferent deity, but an intimately involved, righteous, and merciful deliverer. David's appeal to God as "the God of my righteousness" highlights divine justice and vindication as core attributes of the Almighty, upon which the faithful can confidently rely when facing false accusations or oppression. The remembrance of past "enlargement" in distress grounds present hope in God's unchanging faithfulness, teaching believers to draw immense strength from His past interventions. This verse beautifully illustrates the dynamic relationship between human supplication and divine response, affirming with certainty that God hears the cries of His people and acts on their behalf out of His boundless compassion and perfect justice.

* [Psalm 18:6](/psalms/18-6 "Psalm 18:6 - David's Cry for Help")
* [Psalm 27:1](/psalms/27-1 "Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is My Light and My Salvation")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6-7 "Philippians 4:6-7 - Do Not Be Anxious, But Pray")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 4:1 offers enduring and profound lessons for believers navigating the inevitable distresses and challenges of life. It calls us to adopt a posture of immediate and earnest prayer, making God our primary recourse in every trial, rather than instinctively relying on our own limited strength or fleeting human solutions. David's powerful example encourages us to actively recall God's past faithfulness – specifically, the numerous times He has "enlarged" us from our own tight spots, whether those were physical dangers, emotional anxieties, or spiritual bondages. This deliberate act of remembrance is a powerful spiritual discipline that builds confidence, strengthens our faith for current and future challenges, and cultivates a deeper sense of gratitude. Furthermore, the verse invites us to appeal to God's very character as our righteous vindicator, trusting implicitly that He will bring justice and clarity in His perfect timing, even when circumstances seem overwhelmingly unfair or confusing. Finally, it reminds us to approach God with profound humility, always seeking His boundless mercy and grace, recognizing that His compassion is the inexhaustible wellspring of our deliverance, peace, and ultimate security. This psalm teaches us that true security is found not in the fleeting absence of trouble, but in the unwavering presence of a God who hears, delivers, and provides profound peace even in the midst of turmoil.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness in your life strengthen your current faith and hope during times of distress?**
* **In what specific ways do you appeal to God as "the God of your righteousness" when you feel unjustly treated, falsely accused, or deeply wronged?**
* **What "distresses" or "tight spots" are you currently facing that you desperately need God to "enlarge" you from, and how does this verse encourage you to pray about them with renewed confidence?**

### FAQ
**What does "God of my righteousness" mean in this context?**

Answer: In [Psalm 4:1](/psalms/4-1 "Psalm 4:1 - David's Prayer in Distress"), "God of my righteousness" means that God is the ultimate source of David's vindication and the one who acts righteously on his behalf. It is an appeal to God's inherently just nature and His active role as David's defender against accusers, particularly when David feels falsely accused, oppressed, or unjustly treated. It implies that David's righteousness is not self-derived or earned, but rather comes from God's character and His divine actions to set things right for David. This concept is deeply rooted in the Old Testament understanding of God as the ultimate judge and deliverer who upholds justice for His people, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 45:24](/isaiah/45-24 "Isaiah 45:24 - In the Lord Alone Are Righteousness and Strength"), where it is declared that in the Lord alone are righteousness and strength.

**How does God "enlarge" someone when they are in distress?**

Answer: The phrase "thou hast enlarged me [when I was] in distress" uses a powerful and evocative metaphor. The Hebrew word for "enlarge" (*rāḥaḇ*) literally means to make wide or spacious. In this context, it vividly describes God bringing someone out of a constricted, oppressive, or overwhelming situation into a place of freedom, relief, and security. This "enlargement" can manifest in various profound ways: it might be literal deliverance from enemies or physical danger, the impartation of emotional peace and spiritual spaciousness amidst anxiety, the provision of wisdom to navigate complex and seemingly insurmountable problems, or spiritual liberation from the bondage of sin and despair. It speaks to God's sovereign ability to create room and provide comfort and deliverance where there was none, often through unexpected and miraculous divine intervention, as also powerfully illustrated in [Psalm 118:5](/psalms/118-5 "Psalm 118:5 - Out of My Distress I Called to the Lord"), where the psalmist cries out to the Lord in distress and is answered by being set in a wide place.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 4:1, a heartfelt cry from David in the midst of distress, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest redemptive meaning in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. David's appeal to the "God of my righteousness" profoundly foreshadows the perfect and imputed righteousness that is found in Christ alone. As [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness") declares, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Jesus is not merely righteous; He is the very source of our righteousness, perfectly vindicating us before a holy and just God. Furthermore, David's remembrance, "thou hast enlarged me [when I was] in distress," powerfully points to Christ's own ultimate experience. Jesus, in His profound distress on the cross, was "enlarged" through His glorious resurrection, triumphing over the bonds of death and making a new and living way for all who believe to experience true spiritual enlargement and freedom from the distress of sin, guilt, and its eternal consequences ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Him Up, Freeing Him from the Agonies of Death")). His suffering, death, and glorious triumph provide the ultimate "enlargement" for believers, offering a peace that surpasses all human understanding ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus' Gift of Peace")) and a secure, justified standing before God ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ Intercedes for Us")). David's humble and earnest plea, "have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer," is perfectly embodied and eternally answered in Christ, our great High Priest, who ever lives to make intercession for us ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ Our High Priest")), ensuring that our prayers are heard and answered according to God's perfect and gracious will.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Corinthians 1:10

Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver [us];

Exodus 34:6

And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

Exodus 34:7

Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear [the guilty]; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth [generation].

Psalms 40:1

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

Psalms 40:3

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, [even] praise unto our God: many shall see [it], and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

Psalms 18:18

They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.

Psalms 18:19

He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.