psalm 4 chiastic structure

Read Psalm 4 at Bible Gateway.

Psalm 4 paragraph divisions from the Hebrew Bible:

Psa 4:- For the Leader; with string-music. A Psalm of David.
Psa 4:1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
Psa 4:2 How long, O you sons of men, Will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness And seek falsehood? Selah
Psa 4:3 But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The Lord will hear when I call to Him.
Psa 4:4 Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah
Psa 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the Lord.
Psa 4:6 There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?” Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
Psa 4:7 You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
Psa 4:8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. {p}

Psalm 4 chiastic structure:

1a) Psa 4:1, The plea to the Lord:

1a) Psa 4:1a, Hear me when I call;
1b) Psa 4:1b, O God of my righteousness;
central axis) Psa 4:1c, You have relieved me in my distress;
2b) Psa 4:1d, Have mercy on me;
2a) Psa 4:1e, And hear my prayer;

1b) Psa 4:1d+e, Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer;

1c) Psa 4:2, The cause of distress: How long will men turn my glory to shame + love worthlessness + seek falsehood;

central axis) Psa 4:3, But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The Lord will hear when I call to Him;

2c) Psa 4:4-5, The response to unjust provocation: Be angry/do not sin + Meditate in your heart/ be still + offer sacrifices of righteousness/ trust in the Lord;

2b) Psa 4:6, Many say, “Who will show us any good?” Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us;

2a) Psa 4:7-8, The result of the plea: gladness of heart + peace of heart + safety.

The cause of David’s distress were men who were somehow exalting worthlessness, and shaming him for the thing he rightly gloried in. David gloried in the Lord and in His word, and the sons of men have always tried to shame those whose glory is in the Lord. The sons of men always seem to exalt that which is worthless and false as more worthy of glory than the Lord or His word.

So David was provoked by their unjust mockery or even action, which exalted worthlessness and falsehood over true righteousness. His wise response to them: okay, this might make me angry, but I am not going to sin against anyone else or the Lord. I am going to be still, and meditate in my heart what my proper response will be. I am going to continue to do righteousness according to the word of the Lord, and place my trust in Him.

For further reading:

psalm 4, the only place of safety