Psalm 4/Sections/Blessing

In vv. 7–9, the psalmist turns from addressing humanity (cf. vv. 3–6) back to addressing YHWH and celebrating YHWH's blessing on his people (cf. v. 2). Like the previous section (vv. 3–6), this section begins with a question (v. 7a) and concludes with "trust" or "security" (בטח). By providing an abundant harvest (v. 8b), YHWH has secured his people's joy (v. 8a), peace (v. 9a), and secure dwelling in the land (v. 9). He has also made his blessing a "banner" that identifies his people and invites the nations to rally (v. 7). Now his people celebrate his blessing by saying, "Who [is the one who] shows us good? [YHWH does!] [Continue to] lift up the light of your face as a banner over us, YHWH!" (v. 7).

The celebration of YHWH's blessing in vv. 7–9, with its description of "peace" (v. 9) and YHWH's shining face (v. 7), echoes the blessing of Aaron, the high priest: "The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace" (Num 6:25-26, ESV). Psalm 4 also echoes the blessing of Moses in Deuteronomy 33 (see image below). By drawing on the language of these two historic blessings (Aaronic and Mosaic), the psalm celebrates YHWH's provision in the present moment as the fulfillment of these blessings.

At the same time, vv. 7–9 continue to have the rest of humanity in view (cf. vv. 3–6). This is clear from the "banner" imagery in v. 7 (see below). It is also clear from the poetic repetition of roots in these verses. For example, nearly every root in v. 5b is repeated in this section in the same order in which they first appeared in v. 5b:

• אמר - v. 7a ("saying") - v. 5b ("think")
• לבב - v. 8a ("heart") - v. 5b ("yourselves")
• שכב - v.9a ("lie down") - v. 5b ("beds")

The root בטח at the end of v. 9 also occurred in v. 6. It is also worth noting at this point that the root צדק occurs in both v. 2 and v. 9. Thus, v. 6 repeats roots from the first line of the Psalm (צדק "right") and the last line of the Psalm (בטח "trust/securely") respectively.

Each repeated root in the psalm is used once in relation to YHWH's people and at least once in relation to humanity:

• "many are saying" (אמרים) (v. 7) // "think" (אמרו) (v. 5)
• "my heart" (לבי) (v. 8) // "your hearts " (לבב) (v. 5) "heavy of heart" (v. 3)
• "I will lie down" (שׁכב) (v. 9) // "your beds" (משׁכב) (v. 5)
• "right for me" (צדק) (v. 2) // "(you) sacrifice right sacrifices" (צדק) (v. 6)
• "you make me dwell securely" (בטח) (v. 9) // "(you) trust in YHWH" (בטח) (v. 6)

David and Israel, whom he represents as king, show the world what it looks like to experience true blessing. YHWH has set David and Israel apart for special treatment (v. 4), and his blessing on them is like a "banner" to which others are called to rally (v. 7b). In contrast, there are many people who worship idols (v. 3) and look for gods who can truly satisfy them (v. 7a). In response, David addresses this mass of idol-worshipping humanity and says, in effect, "Look at how YHWH has blessed us! Come, be like us! The security (בטח), rightly ordered well-being (צדק), joy-filled hearts (לב), and peaceful sleep (שׁכב) that our God gives to us can be yours as well, if you will imitate us and trust in him!"