Psalms 4:5

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 4:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in Jehovah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in Jehovah.
Psalms 4:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in Jehovah.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thou feedest them with the bread of tears, etc.] With tears instead of bread, having none to eat; or their bread is mingled with their tears, “dipped” therein, as the Targum; such was their constant grief, and the occasion of it, that they could not cease from tears while they were eating their meals, and so ate them with them f1159: and givest them tears to drink in great measure; or the wine of tears “three fold”, as the Targum. Jarchi interprets it of the captivity of Babylon, which was the third part of the two hundred and ten years of Israel’s being in Egypt; which exposition, he says, he learned from R. Moses Hadarsan; but he observes, that some interpret it of the kingdom of Grecia,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Not only repent, but manifest penitence by sacrifices or righteousness or righteous sacrifices, &c.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Offer the sacrifices of righteousness - Offer righteous sacrifices; that is, sacrifices prompted by right motives, and in accordance with the prescriptions in the law of God. This appears to be addressed also to those who in Psalms 4:2 are called “sons of men;” that is, those who were arrayed against the psalmist. According to the common opinion this psalm was composed by David on occasion of his being driven from his throne and kingdom; and, of course, Zion, the ark, and the tabernacle, were in the hands of his enemies. The exhortation here may be, either that, as his enemies were now in possession of the usual seat of public worship, they would conduct the worship of God by keeping up the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Offer - Unto God, that he may be reconciled to you. Righteousness - Righteous sacrifices; which requires that the persons offering them be righteous and do righteous things, and offer them with an honest mind, with faith and true repentance. Without which, he intimates, that all their sacrifices were of no esteem with God, and would be wholly unprofitable to them. Psalms 4:6”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:5 Offer sacrifices in the right spirit: Redirecting emotions toward the Lord prevents a godly individual from doing too much self-reflection (40:6-8; 51:17).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Offer: Psa 50:14, Psa 51:19; Deu 33:19; Sa2 15:12; Isa 1:11-18, Isa 61:8; Mal 1:8, Mal 1:11-14; Mat 5:23, Mat 5:23; Heb 13:15, Heb 13:16 put: Psa 2:12, Psa 26:1, Psa 37:3, Psa 62:8, Psa 84:11, Psa 84:12; Isa 26:3, Isa 26:4, Isa 50:10; Pe1 4:19 Psalms 4:6”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification