Psalm 4:1 - Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.

Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.

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.

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

Psalm 4:1

Commentary

O God of my righteousness can also be translated "O my righteous God." The phrase has two meanings: (1) only God is righteous; and (2) all of a person's righteousness is found in Him alone. The psalmist is facing a very pressing need, but his confidence in God remains especially strong. He addresses God in terms of His character-His "righteousness." Then he speaks of God's earlier saving works in his life: You have relieved me in my distress.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Ps 4:1). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Background

David wrote this psalm as he was about to retire for the night (v. 8). He could not do much about the war around him, but he could do something about the war within him. He did not want to lie in bed and worry, so he committed himself and his situation to the Lord.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1997, c1991). With the word Bible commentary (Ps 4:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.