1: לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ בִּנְגִינ֗וֹת מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד׃ 2: בְּקָרְאִ֡י עֲנֵ֤נִי ׀ אֱלֹ֘הֵ֤י צִדְקִ֗י בַּ֭צָּר הִרְחַ֣בְתָּ לִּ֑י חָ֝נֵּ֗נִי וּשְׁמַ֥ע תְּפִלָּתִֽי׃ 3: בְּנֵ֥י אִ֡ישׁ עַד־ מֶ֬ה כְבוֹדִ֣י לִ֭כְלִמָּה תֶּאֱהָב֣וּן רִ֑יק תְּבַקְשׁ֖וּ כָזָ֣ב סֶֽלָה׃ 4: וּדְע֗וּ כִּֽי־ הִפְלָ֣ה יְ֭הוָה חָסִ֣יד ל֑וֹ יְהוָ֥ה יִ֝שְׁמַ֗ע בְּקָרְאִ֥י אֵלָֽיו׃ 5: רִגְז֗וּ וְֽאַל־ תֶּ֫חֱטָ֥אוּ אִמְר֣וּ בִ֭לְבַבְכֶם עַֽל־ מִשְׁכַּבְכֶ֗ם וְדֹ֣מּוּ סֶֽלָה׃ 6: זִבְח֥וּ זִבְחֵי־ צֶ֑דֶק וּ֝בִטְח֗וּ אֶל־ יְהוָֽה׃ 7: רַבִּ֥ים אֹמְרִים֮ מִֽי־ יַרְאֵ֪נ֫וּ ט֥וֹב נְֽסָה־ עָ֭לֵינוּ א֨וֹר פָּנֶ֬יךָ יְהוָֽה׃ 8: נָתַ֣תָּה שִׂמְחָ֣ה בְלִבִּ֑י מֵעֵ֬ת דְּגָנָ֖ם וְתִֽירוֹשָׁ֣ם רָֽבּוּ׃ 9: בְּשָׁל֣וֹם יַחְדָּו֮ אֶשְׁכְּבָ֪ה וְאִ֫ישָׁ֥ן כִּֽי־ אַתָּ֣ה יְהוָ֣ה לְבָדָ֑ד לָ֝בֶ֗טַח תּוֹשִׁיבֵֽנִי׃
"Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer." - Psalm 4:1 (NIV)
- Scene:
- David is in distress and calling out to God for an answer.
- Imagery:
- David's plea for an answer portrays his desperation and sincerity.
- The image of calling to God indicates David's trust in God's righteousness.
- The plea for relief and mercy highlights David's dependence on God's grace.
"How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him." - Psalm 4:2-3 (NIV)
- Scene:
- David addresses the people who are turning his glory into shame.
- David asserts God's faithfulness and righteousness.
- Imagery:
- The imagery of turning glory into shame depicts the people's misguided choices and false worship.
- The mention of delusions and false gods signifies the emptiness of idolatry.
- The image of God setting apart His faithful servant highlights His special relationship with David.
- The reference to God hearing when David calls emphasizes His attentive and responsive nature.
"Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord." - Psalm 4:4-5 (NIV)
- Scene:
- David urges the people to tremble, search their hearts, and be silent before God.
- David encourages the offering of righteous sacrifices and trusting in the Lord.
- Imagery:
- The mention of trembling signifies a reverential fear of God's righteousness.
- The image of searching hearts and being silent represents introspection and surrender before God.
- The mention of sacrifices of the righteous symbolizes worship and obedience.
- Trusting in the Lord portrays reliance on His guidance and provision.
"Many, Lord, are asking, 'Who will bring us prosperity?' Let the light of your face shine on us. Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety." - Psalm 4:6-8 (NIV)
- Scene:
- Many people are seeking prosperity and asking for God's blessing.
- David requests the light of God's face to shine upon them.
- David finds joy in God's provision and promises. He rests in peace, knowing God is his safety.
- Imagery:
- The image of people seeking prosperity reflects the universal desire for abundance and security.
- The mention of the light of God's face symbolizes His presence and favor.
- The reference to joy in abundance of grain and new wine portrays God's provision and blessings.
- The image of lying down and sleeping in peace symbolizes trust and security in God's care.
The scenes in this Psalm depict David's plea for God's answer, God's faithfulness and righteousness, the need for repentance and trust in God, and the blessings and joy that come from relying on God's provision and safety. The imagery highlights the eudaimonic significance of seeking God, trusting in His righteousness, and finding peace and joy in His presence.