Corpus Psalterium · Vol. I
Psalm IV (4)
Cantillated — Lament Exhortation
Paul Whitehorn
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Psalm 4 in Hebrew and English, and the words as they are sung.
For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. A Psalm by David.
לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ בִּנְגִינ֗וֹת מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד׃
Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness. Give me relief from my distress. Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
בְּקָרְאִ֡י עֲנֵ֤נִי ׀ אֱלֹ֘הֵ֤י צִדְקִ֗י בַּ֭צָּר הִרְחַ֣בְתָּ לִּ֑י חָ֝נֵּ֗נִי וּשְׁמַ֥ע תְּפִלָּתִֽי׃
You sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? Will you love vanity and seek after falsehood? Selah.
בְּנֵ֥י אִ֡ישׁ עַד־מֶ֬ה כְבוֹדִ֣י לִ֭כְלִמָּה תֶּאֱהָב֣וּן רִ֑יק תְּבַקְשׁ֖וּ כָזָ֣ב סֶֽלָה׃
But know that Yahweh has set apart for himself him who is godly; Yahweh will hear when I call to him.
וּדְע֗וּ כִּֽי־הִפְלָ֣ה יְ֭הוָה חָסִ֣יד ל֑וֹ יְהוָ֥ה יִ֝שְׁמַ֗ע בְּקָרְאִ֥י אֵלָֽיו׃
Stand in awe, and don’t sin. Search your own heart on your bed, and be still. Selah.
רִגְז֗וּ וְֽאַל־תֶּ֫חֱטָ֥אוּ אִמְר֣וּ בִ֭לְבַבְכֶם עַֽל־מִשְׁכַּבְכֶ֗ם וְדֹ֣מּוּ סֶֽלָה׃
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness. Put your trust in Yahweh.
זִבְח֥וּ זִבְחֵי־צֶ֑דֶק וּ֝בִטְח֗וּ אֶל־יְהוָֽה׃
Many say, “Who will show us any good?” Yahweh, let the light of your face shine on us.
רַבִּ֥ים אֹמְרִים֮ מִֽי־יַרְאֵ֪נ֫וּ ט֥וֹב נְֽסָה־עָ֭לֵינוּ א֨וֹר פָּנֶ֬יךָ יְהוָֽה׃
You have put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and their new wine are increased.
נָתַ֣תָּה שִׂמְחָ֣ה בְלִבִּ֑י מֵעֵ֬ת דְּגָנָ֖ם וְתִֽירוֹשָׁ֣ם רָֽבּוּ׃
In peace I will both lay myself down and sleep, for you alone, Yahweh, make me live in safety.
בְּשָׁל֣וֹם יַחְדָּו֮ אֶשְׁכְּבָ֪ה וְאִ֫ישָׁ֥ן כִּֽי־אַתָּ֣ה יְהוָ֣ה לְבָדָ֑ד לָ֝בֶ֗טַח תּוֹשִׁיבֵֽנִי׃
Hebrew: Westminster Leningrad Codex (public domain), from the Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible. English: World English Bible (public domain). Verse numbers follow the English Bible; the Hebrew numbering is shown beneath where it differs.
Answer me when I call
God of my righteousness
In my distress
You made room for me
Be gracious to me
Hear my prayer
How long will you turn my honor to shame
How long will you love what is empty
Chasing what is false
Chasing what is false
Know this
The Lord has set apart the faithful
The Lord hears
When I call to Him
Be shaken
but do not sin
Speak in your hearts
on your beds
and be still
Offer what is right
Trust in the Lord
Trust in the Lord
Many are asking
Who will show us good
Let the light of Your face
shine on us
O Lord
You have filled my heart with joy
More than grain
More than wine
You have filled my heart with joy
You have filled my heart with joy
In peace I will lie down
and sleep
In peace I will lie down
and sleep
For You alone, O Lord
You alone
make me dwell in safety
Lyrics by Paul Whitehorn: a singable English rendering of the Hebrew, as sung on this recording.
Corpus Psalterium sets each psalm to music by its Hebrew grammar. Didactic psalms teach; Cantillated psalms are spoken, sung or performed before God. Hear all 150 psalms free.