The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 4:1

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness. Not "the God who imputes to me righteousness," as some render, but "the God who sees that I and my cause are righteous," and who wilt therefore certainly lend me aid.

Thou hast enlarged me; or, made room for me—"set me at ease" In the language of the Old Testament, "straits" and "narrowness" mean trouble and affliction; "room," "space," "enlargement," mean prosperity.

David has experienced God's mercies in the past, and therefore looks for them in the future (comp. Psalms 3:7). When I woe in distress; literally, in [my] distress. Have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

This is David's usual cry, repeated in a hundred varied forms throughout the Psalms (see Psalms 5:2; Psalms 6:2; Psalms 9:13; Psalms 27:7; Psalms 30:10, etc.).

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commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 4:1-5Hear me for thy mercy-sake, is our best plea. He who will not ask such blessings as pardon, and justifying righteousness, and eternal life, must perish for the want of them. Alas! that so many should make so fearful a c…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 4:1-5A cry for deliverance. This psalm refers (according to some) to the same event as the previous psalm—that composed probably in the morning, and this in the evening, of the same day. We have in it— I. A CRY FOR DELIVERAN…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 4:1-8An evening song in perilous times, showing us the secret of happiness. It is not difficult to be cheerful when we have everything we desire. But when life seems to be a series of catastrophes, disappointments, and vexat…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 4:1-8Quieting thoughts for a time of trouble. It is a mark of man's greatness that he can go out of himself. Some commune with nature, some with the great minds of the past, some with prophets and teachers of their own time.…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 4:1-8EXPOSITION AGAIN the psalm has a title, "To the chief Musician on Neginoth. A Psalm of David;" literally, "to the superintendent or foreman," which, in this instance, would be the choir-leader, or "precentor" (Kay). "On…Joseph S. Exell and contributors