Psalm 4/Notes/Grammar.v. 4.589056

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  • The word translated loyal one (חָסִיד) is not merely someone who is pious or "godly" (cf. KJV, NLT, ESV, NASB, NET), but "someone who practices חֶסֶד, who is committed towards fulfilling his/her (covenant) obligations" (SDBH, cf. HALOT; Ho'il Moshe: אִישׁ חֶסֶד). Thus, the translation "faithful" (NIV, CSB, CEV) might be more accurate. John Eaton translates the term as "covenant fellow," noting that, in the biblical world, "the king is God's preeminent covenant fellow (hasid)" (Eaton 1976). In this context, the reference could be to David the king in particular (cf. Pss 16:10; 86:2; so e.g., Radak, Ho'il Moshe) or to the nation of Israel as a whole (cf. Ps 43:1—מִגּוֹי לֹא־חָסִיד).