Psalms 4:6

“Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours, etc.] Either obliges us to contend with them for our defence and safety; or having given us into their hands, they strive and contend one with another about dividing the spoil: and our enemies laugh among themselves; at us, and because there is no help for us in God, as they imagine; or at God himself, as Kimchi, saying he cannot save as.”

“Contrast true with vain confidence. light of thy countenance upon us--figure for favor (Num 6:26; Psa 44:3; Psa 81:16).”

“There be many that say - Some have supposed, as DeWette and others, that the allusion of the psalmist here is to his own followers, and that the reference is to their anxious fears in their misfortunes, as if they were poor and forsaken, and knew not from from where the supply of their wants would come. The more probable interpretation, however, is that the allusion is to the general anxiety of mankind, as contrasted with the feelings and desires of the psalmist himself in reference to the manner in which the desire was to be gratified. That is, the general inquiry among mankind is, who will show us good? Or, where shall we obtain that which seems to us to be good, or which will promote our…”

“Many - Of my followers, who are weary of waiting upon God. Who - Who will put an end to our troubles, and give us tranquility. Lift up - Upon me and my friends. Give us an assurance of thy love, and evidence it by thy powerful assistance. Psalms 4:7”

“4:6 your face (or the light of your face): The psalmist seeks God’s favor and peace (Num 6:25-26), which can transform darkness into light (see Ps 27:1). Confident trust in the Lord is an antidote to anger, resentment, jealousy, and materialism.”

“many: Psa 39:6, Psa 49:16-20; Eccl. 2:3-26; Isa 55:2; Luk 12:19, Luk 16:19; Jam 4:13; Jam 5:1-5 lift: Psa 21:6, Psa 42:5, Psa 44:3, Psa 67:1, Psa 80:1-3, Psa 80:7, Psa 80:19, Psa 89:15, Psa 119:135; Num 6:26 Psalms 4:7”

“(Heb.: 4:7-8) Looking into his own small camp David is conscious of a disheartened feeling which is gaining power over him. The words: who will make us see, i.e., (as in Psa 34:13) experience any good? can be taken as expressive of a wish according to Sa2 23:15; Isa 42:23; but the situation gives it the character of a despondent question arising from a disheartened view of the future. The gloom has now, lasted so long with David's companions in tribulation that their faith is turned to fear, their hope to despair. David therefore prays as he looks upon them: Oh lift upon us (נסה־עלינוּ) (Note: The Metheg which stands in the second syllable before the tone stands by the Sheb, in the metrical…”