Psalms 4:2

KJV

O ye sons of men, how long [will ye turn] my glory into shame? [how long] will ye love vanity, [and] seek after leasing? Selah.

KJV (with Strong's)

O ye sons {H1121} of men {H376}, how long {H5704} will ye turn my glory {H3519} into shame {H3639}? how long will ye love {H157} vanity {H7385}, and seek {H1245} after leasing {H3577}? Selah {H5542}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Men of rank, how long will you shame my honor, love what is vain, chase after lies? (Selah)

Berean Standard Bible

How long, O men, will my honor be maligned? How long will you love vanity and seek after lies? Selah

American Standard Version

O ye sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? How longwill ye love vanity, and seek after falsehood? [Selah

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 4:2 presents a poignant and direct challenge from King David to his adversaries, likely influential individuals who oppose his divinely appointed kingship. Through a series of rhetorical questions, David confronts their persistent rejection of God's truth and their embrace of futility and deception. He laments their efforts to diminish his God-given honor, urging them to abandon their pursuit of empty idols and falsehoods, which ultimately dishonor the divine glory manifested through God's chosen ruler, and instead to turn towards righteousness and truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 4 is a deeply personal prayer of David, often classified as a psalm of lament and trust, likely composed during a period of intense personal or national distress. It immediately follows [Psalm 3](/psalms/3 "Psalm 3 - A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom"), which vividly describes David's flight from Absalom and his numerous enemies, focusing on God's protective presence amidst overwhelming opposition. While Psalm 3 emphasizes God's deliverance, Psalm 4 shifts to a direct appeal to David's adversaries, inviting them to repent and trust in God, even as David himself expresses unwavering confidence in the Lord. The psalm is often considered an "evening prayer" due to its themes of seeking rest and peace in God, even amidst turmoil, culminating in a declaration of secure sleep in [Psalm 4:8](/psalms/4-8 "Psalm 4:8 - Lying Down in Peace").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The phrase "O ye sons of men" (Hebrew: _bene ish_) in this context likely refers to individuals of high standing, nobles, or influential figures who are actively opposing David's kingship. This opposition could stem from political rivals, rebellious factions (such as those supporting Absalom), or even those within his own court who questioned his legitimacy or God's favor upon him. In the ancient Near East, a king's honor and glory were inextricably linked to the divine favor bestowed upon him; therefore, dishonoring the king was not merely a personal insult but a direct affront to the deity who appointed him. David's lament reflects the cultural understanding that a king's reputation and the stability of his kingdom were intrinsically tied to his perceived connection with God, making the adversaries' actions a profound act of spiritual rebellion.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several core themes prevalent throughout the Psalms and the broader Old Testament narrative. It highlights the stark contrast between the enduring reality of God's glory and the fleeting nature of human pursuits. The "shame" and "vanity" (emptiness, futility) pursued by David's adversaries represent the pervasive human tendency towards idolatry—seeking satisfaction and meaning in anything other than God. This theme resonates strongly with [Ecclesiastes'](/ecclesiastes/1 "Ecclesiastes 1 - The Vanity of Life") exploration of life "under the sun" as ultimately meaningless apart from God. The "leasing" (falsehood) points to humanity's inclination to embrace lies and deception, rejecting divine truth, a spiritual blindness that the New Testament later describes, for instance, in [John 3:19](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Men loved darkness rather than light"). David's repeated "how long" underscores God's patient long-suffering, yet it also serves as an urgent call to repentance, emphasizing that there is a limit to divine patience before judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Glory (Hebrew, H3519, _kâbôwd_):** This word, derived from a root meaning "weight," signifies honor, reputation, splendor, or the manifestation of divine presence. In the context of David, it refers to his divinely appointed status as king, his inherent honor, and the visible manifestation of God's favor through him. David's adversaries are actively seeking to diminish or defile this sacred honor, attempting to turn it into "shame" (H3639, _kᵉlimmâh_), which implies disgrace, confusion, or humiliation. This is not merely a personal insult to David but a profound affront to the divine authority he represents.
* **Vanity (Hebrew, H7385, _rîyq_):** Meaning emptiness, futility, worthlessness, or delusion. It describes that which is unsubstantial, fleeting, and ultimately unsatisfying. This concept extends beyond the pursuit of trivial things; it encompasses investing one's hope, affections, and efforts in false gods, empty promises, or deceptive schemes that yield no lasting value or spiritual benefit. It often carries the connotation of idolatry or a misguided reliance on human strength and wisdom apart from God.
* **Leasing (Hebrew, H3577, _kâzâb_):** An archaic English term for falsehood, lies, or deceit. The Hebrew word implies active deception, treachery, or a lie that proves to be disappointing and unreliable. David laments that his adversaries are not merely mistaken in their beliefs but are actively seeking, loving, and propagating lies, preferring them over truth and righteousness. This pursuit of falsehood represents a deliberate choice to embrace error and reject the reality of God's truth, leading to spiritual and moral corruption.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O ye sons of men, how long [will ye turn] my glory into shame?":** David directly addresses his opponents, likely influential individuals, questioning the duration and persistence of their rebellion. He expresses deep lament over their deliberate efforts to dishonor his "glory"—his God-given authority, honor, and the divine favor manifested through his kingship—and to transform it into "shame" or disgrace. This is a direct challenge to their defiance against God's chosen one, highlighting the spiritual gravity of their actions.
* **"[how long] will ye love vanity, [and] seek after leasing?":** This rhetorical question extends the challenge, probing the spiritual root of their opposition. David questions their enduring affection for "vanity" (empty, worthless pursuits, or idols) and their active "seeking after leasing" (deliberate pursuit and embrace of lies and falsehoods). This reveals a profound spiritual misdirection, where truth is rejected for deception, and genuine substance is exchanged for fleeting emptiness, demonstrating a deep-seated spiritual blindness.
* **"Selah.":** This term, appearing frequently in the Psalms, is a musical or liturgical notation. While its precise function is debated, it generally indicates a pause for reflection, a musical interlude, or an emphatic marker, inviting the reader or listener to ponder the weight and significance of the preceding words. In this context, it calls for a moment of solemn contemplation on the profound questions David has just posed, underscoring the gravity of the spiritual choices being confronted.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 4:2 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, repeated twice with "how long," which serves not to elicit an answer but to emphasize David's exasperation, the prolonged nature of the adversaries' rebellion, and to challenge them to profound self-reflection and repentance. This repetition also creates a form of **Parallelism**, specifically **synonymous parallelism**, where the second half of the verse ("how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing?") reinforces and elaborates on the first half's accusation ("how long will ye turn my glory into shame?"), highlighting different facets of the same spiritual malady. The use of strong contrasting terms like "glory" and "shame," and the opposition between "truth" (implied by David's stance as God's anointed) and "vanity/leasing" (the adversaries' path), creates a powerful **Antithesis**. Finally, the enigmatic term **Selah** acts as a liturgical marker, prompting a contemplative pause, underscoring the gravity and spiritual weight of David's lament and warning, inviting the audience to internalize the profound implications of the preceding words.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 4:2 delves into the profound theological tension between divine truth and human rebellion, highlighting humanity's persistent inclination to reject God's established order and embrace that which is fleeting and false. David's lament over his "glory" being turned into "shame" reflects a broader biblical theme: the dishonoring of God's name and character by those who defy His authority or abandon His ways. The pursuit of "vanity" and "leasing" speaks to the universal human struggle with idolatry—the worship of anything other than the one true God—and the preference for self-deception over the confronting light of divine truth. This verse underscores the inherent futility and destructive nature of a life lived apart from God, where true honor is forsaken for fleeting emptiness, and genuine wisdom is exchanged for lies. It is a timeless call to discern what truly holds value and to turn from the deceptive allure of the world to the steadfast reality of God's glory and truth.

* [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Forsaking the Fountain of Living Waters")
* [Romans 1:21-23](/romans/1-21-23 "Romans 1:21-23 - Exchanging the Glory of God for Idols")
* [Ephesians 4:17-19](/ephesians/4-17-19 "Ephesians 4:17-19 - The Futility of the Gentiles' Mind")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 4:2 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting us to examine the deepest motivations of our hearts and the true objects of our affection. David's poignant "how long" echoes through the ages, challenging us to consider what we truly value and where we invest our lives. Are we, like David's adversaries, pursuing fleeting pleasures, empty achievements, or deceptive narratives that ultimately lead to spiritual shame and emptiness? Or are we aligning our lives with God's enduring glory and truth? In a world saturated with distractions and misinformation, this verse calls us to a radical discernment: to love what is true, to seek what is substantial, and to honor that which is truly glorious. It reminds us that genuine peace and fulfillment are found not in the pursuit of worldly "vanity" or "leasing," but in turning our hearts and minds towards the Lord, embracing His truth, and living in a way that brings honor to His name.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "glory" (God-given purpose, calling, or identity) in your life might be at risk of being turned into "shame" by your choices or the influences around you?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be "loving vanity"—pursuing empty, fleeting things that promise satisfaction but deliver only emptiness?**
* **Are there any "leasing" (falsehoods, deceptions, or self-deceptions) that you are actively "seeking after" or clinging to, rather than embracing the often challenging truth of God's Word?**
* **How might you practically turn from "vanity" and "leasing" today, and instead pursue God's truth and glory in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**What does "Selah" mean in the Psalms?**

Answer: "Selah" is a Hebrew word found frequently in the Psalms and also in Habakkuk. While its precise meaning and function are debated by scholars, it is generally understood to be a musical or liturgical notation. Most commonly, it is interpreted as an instruction for a pause, either for a musical interlude (perhaps a crescendo or instrumental break) or for silent reflection on the words that have just been spoken or sung. It serves to emphasize the preceding text, prompting the reader or listener to ponder its weight and significance before moving on. In Psalms 4:2, its placement after David's intense rhetorical questions invites a moment of solemn contemplation on the spiritual state of those addressed and the gravity of their choices.

**Who are the "sons of men" David is addressing in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "O ye sons of men" (Hebrew: _bene ish_) is a general address, but in the context of David's kingship and the Psalms, it often refers to humanity in general, or more specifically, to people of high standing, nobles, or those in positions of influence or power. Given David's distress and the opposition he faced (as seen in [Psalm 3](/psalms/3 "Psalm 3 - David's Flight from Absalom")), it is highly probable that he is addressing his adversaries—those who were actively challenging his authority as God's anointed king, perhaps even members of his own court or rebellious factions. He is calling out their spiritual blindness and their deliberate choice to oppose God's will, as manifested through David's reign.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 4:2, with its lament over glory turned to shame, the love of vanity, and the pursuit of leasing, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. David, as God's anointed king, experienced the turning of his glory into shame by his adversaries, foreshadowing the ultimate suffering of the true King. Jesus, the [Lord of Glory](/1_corinthians/2-8 "1 Corinthians 2:8 - The Lord of Glory Crucified"), willingly allowed His divine glory to be veiled and His honor to be mocked and shamed by humanity. He was accused of [lies and blasphemy](/matthew/26-65 "Matthew 26:65 - Jesus Accused of Blasphemy"), though He was the very embodiment of truth ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). While humanity loved the "vanity" of earthly power and sought "leasing" through false accusations and political maneuvering, they crucified the one who offered eternal life and true substance. Yet, in this ultimate act of shame and apparent defeat, Christ's glory was paradoxically revealed: His death on the cross, the epitome of human shame, became the means of God's greatest glory, securing salvation and true honor for all who believe. Through Christ, the "sons of men" are called to turn from their love of vanity and lies, to embrace the truth embodied in Him, and to receive true glory—not the fleeting honor of this world, but the [glory of God's children](/romans/8-18 "Romans 8:18 - The Glory to be Revealed") through adoption into His family.

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

Proverbs 1:22

How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

Hosea 4:7

As they were increased, so they sinned against me: [therefore] will I change their glory into shame.

Psalms 3:3

But thou, O LORD, [art] a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

Psalms 106:20

Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.

Jeremiah 2:11

Hath a nation changed [their] gods, which [are] yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for [that which] doth not profit.

Psalms 5:6

Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

1 Samuel 12:21

And turn ye not aside: for [then should ye go] after vain [things], which cannot profit nor deliver; for they [are] vain.