Psalm 4 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: 4:3
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Psalm 4
Prayer and repose in safety
Verse 4:1 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[4:1] For the director, with stringed instruments. A psalm of David.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[4:1] For the end, among psalms. A song of David.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: The superscription is source verse one. Hebrew לַמְנַצֵּחַ is provisionally for the director and בִּנְגִינוֹת with stringed instruments; Greek instead says for the end and among psalms, then calls this a song. Technical musical meanings remain open.
Verse 4:2 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[4:2] When I call, answer me, God of my righteousness!
In distress You made room for me.
Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[4:2] When I called, the God of my righteousness heard me.
In affliction You made room for me.
Have compassion on me, and hear my prayer.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew opens with a petition to be answered; Greek with an assertion that God heard. Both then address God directly and request mercy and hearing.
Verse 4:3 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[4:3] Sons of men, how long will my glory be put to shame?
Will you love emptiness and seek falsehood?
Selah.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[4:3] Sons of human beings, how long will you be dull of heart?
Why do you love vanity and seek falsehood?
Diapsalma.
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: Hebrew complains of the speaker’s glory becoming shame; Greek rebukes the hearers as dull of heart. The latter changes the clause’s subject and moral focus. The subsequent vanity and falsehood correspond.
Verse 4:4 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[4:4] Know that YHWH has set apart a faithful one for Himself;
YHWH will hear when I call to Him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[4:4] Know that the Lord has made His holy one wondrous;
the Lord will hear me when I cry to Him.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew set apart and Greek made wondrous differ in the divine action. Hebrew חָסִיד and Greek ὅσιος describe the devoted person; neither translation silently supplies a later personal identification.
Verse 4:5 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[4:5] Tremble, and do not sin;
speak in your hearts upon your beds, and be still.
Selah.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[4:5] Be angry, and do not sin;
speak in your hearts,
and upon your beds be pierced with remorse.
Diapsalma.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew רִגְזוּ can concern trembling or agitation; Greek explicitly says be angry. Hebrew ends with stillness, Greek with being pierced or stricken, here rendered with remorse. The commands to avoid sin and speak inwardly correspond.
Verse 4:6 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[4:6] Offer righteous sacrifices,
and trust in YHWH.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[4:6] Offer a sacrifice of righteousness,
and hope in the Lord.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The righteous offering and reliance correspond, with Hebrew plural sacrifices and Greek singular sacrifice, and trust compared with hope.
Verse 4:7 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[4:7] Many say, “Who will show us good?”
Lift up over us the light of Your face, YHWH!
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[4:7] Many say, “Who will show us good things?”
The light of Your face was marked upon us, Lord.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: The request for good corresponds. Hebrew’s difficult נְסָה is provisionally an appeal to lift the facial light over the community; Greek states that the light was marked upon it. The imperative and completed assertion are kept distinct.
Verse 4:8 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[4:8] You have put gladness in my heart,
more than when their grain and new wine abounded.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[4:8] You put gladness in my heart;
from the season of their grain and wine and oil, they were increased.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew is read comparatively, more than at the time of abundant grain and new wine. Greek includes oil and a plural were increased without an unambiguous expressed subject. The compressed Greek construction remains provisional rather than being reshaped into Hebrew’s comparison.
Verse 4:9 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[4:9] In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
for You, YHWH, alone make me dwell in safety.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[4:9] In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
for You, Lord, made me dwell alone in hope.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Peaceful sleep corresponds. Hebrew’s לְבָדָד may describe God alone or the speaker’s solitary dwelling; the former is provisionally selected. Greek explicitly says alone and in hope, where Hebrew says in safety. Greek’s completed settling and Hebrew’s ongoing action remain distinct.