Psalms 4:1

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a psalm of David. When I call out, answer me, O God who vindicates me! Though I am hemmed in, you will lead me into a wide, open place. Have mercy on me and respond to my prayer!

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ בִּנְגִינ֗וֹת מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד׃

Transliteration

To-the-mənaṣṣēaḥ with-nəgînôt mizmôr to-dāwid

Grammar Details

• *mənaṣṣēaḥ*: masculine singular construct with prefixed preposition ל (to/for) - director/chief musician
• *nəgînôt*: feminine plural noun with prefixed preposition ב (with/in/by) - stringed instruments
• *mizmôr*: masculine singular construct - psalm/song
• *dāwid*: proper name with prefixed preposition ל (to/for/of) - David

Word Meanings

• *mənaṣṣēaḥ*: chief musician/choir director/conductor
• *nəgînôt*: stringed instruments/music
• *mizmôr*: psalm/melody/song with instrumental accompaniment
• *dāwid*: David [referring to authorship or dedication]

Referenced Verses

• Ps 18:18-19 : 18 They confronted me in my day of calamity, but the LORD helped me. 19 He brought me out into a wide open place; he delivered me because he was pleased with me.
• Exod 34:6-7 : 6 The LORD passed by before him and proclaimed:“The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, and abounding in loyal love and faithfulness, 7 keeping loyal love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. But he by no means leaves the guilty unpunished, responding to the transgression of fathers by dealing with children and children’s children, to the third and fourth generation.”
• Jer 23:6 : 6 Under his rule Judah will enjoy safety and Israel will live in security. This is the name he will go by:‘The LORD has provided us with justice.’
• Hab 3:19 : 19 The sovereign LORD is my source of strength. He gives me the agility of a deer; he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain.(This prayer is for the song leader. It is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.)
• Job 36:16 : 16 And surely, he drew you from the mouth of distress, to a wide place, unrestricted, and to the comfort of your table filled with rich food.
• Ps 17:6 : 6 I call to you for you will answer me, O God. Listen to me! Hear what I say!
• Ps 6:1 : 1 For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments, according to the sheminith style; a psalm of David. LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger! Do not discipline me in your raging fury!
• Ps 11:7 : 7 Certainly the LORD is just; he rewards godly deeds; the upright will experience his favor.
• 1 Cor 1:30 : 30 He is the reason you have a relationship with Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
• 2 Cor 1:8 : 8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, regarding the affliction that happened to us in the province of Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of living.
• 2 Cor 1:10 : 10 He delivered us from so great a risk of death, and he will deliver us. We have set our hope on him that he will deliver us yet again,
• 2 Cor 5:20-21 : 20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making his plea through us. We plead with you on Christ’s behalf,“Be reconciled to God!” 21 God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.
• 1 Sam 17:37 : 37 David went on to say,“The LORD who delivered me from the lion and the bear will also deliver me from the hand of this Philistine!” Then Saul said to David,“Go! The LORD will be with you.”
• 1 Sam 19:11-12 : 11 Saul sent messengers to David’s house to guard it and to kill him in the morning. Then David’s wife Michal told him,“If you do not save yourself tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!” 12 So Michal lowered David through the window, and he ran away and escaped.
• 1 Sam 23:26-28 : 26 Saul went on one side of the mountain, while David and his men went on the other side of the mountain. David was hurrying to get away from Saul, but Saul and his men were surrounding David and his men so they could capture them. 27 But a messenger came to Saul saying,“Come quickly, for the Philistines have raided the land!” 28 So Saul stopped pursuing David and went to confront the Philistines. Therefore that place is called Sela Hammahlekoth.
• 1 Chr 25:1-6 : 1 David Organizes the Musicians David and the army officers selected some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy as they played stringed instruments and cymbals. The following men were assigned this responsibility: 2 From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were supervised by Asaph, who prophesied under the king’s supervision. 3 From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah– six in all, under supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied as he played a harp, giving thanks and praise to the LORD. 4 From the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. 5 All these were the sons of Heman, the king’s prophet. God had promised him these sons in order to make him prestigious. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 6 All of these were under the supervision of their fathers; they were musicians in the LORD’s temple, playing cymbals and stringed instruments as they served in God’s temple. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the supervision of the king.
• Ps 22:1 : 1 For the music director; according to the tune“Morning Doe;” a psalm of David. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? I groan in prayer, but help seems far away.
• Ps 24:5 : 5 Such godly people are rewarded by the LORD, and vindicated by the God who delivers them.
• Ps 25:16 : 16 Turn toward me and have mercy on me, for I am alone and oppressed!
• Ps 31:8 : 8 You do not deliver me over to the power of the enemy; you enable me to stand in a wide open place.
• Ps 40:1-3 : 1 For the music director; By David, a psalm. I relied completely on the LORD, and he turned toward me and heard my cry for help. 2 He lifted me out of the watery pit, out of the slimy mud. He placed my feet on a rock and gave me secure footing. 3 He gave me reason to sing a new song, praising our God. May many see what God has done, so that they might swear allegiance to him and trust in the LORD!
• Ps 41:12 : 12 As for me, you uphold me because of my integrity; you allow me permanent access to your presence.
• Ps 42:1 : 1 Book 2(Psalms 42-72) For the music director; a well-written song by the Korahites. As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God!
• Ps 45:1 : 1 For the music director; according to the tune of“Lilies;” by the Korahites, a well-written poem, a love song. My heart is stirred by a beautiful song. I say,“I have composed this special song for the king; my tongue is as skilled as the stylus of an experienced scribe.”
• Ps 56:1 : 1 For the music director; according to the yonath-elem-rekhoqim style; a prayer of David, written when the Philistines captured him in Gath. Have mercy on me, O God, for men are attacking me! All day long hostile enemies are tormenting me.
• Ps 57:1 : 1 For the music director; according to the al-tashcheth style; a prayer of David, written when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God! Have mercy on me! For in you I have taken shelter. In the shadow of your wings I take shelter until trouble passes.
• Ps 67:1 : 1 For the music director; to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a psalm, a song. May God show us his favor and bless us! May he smile on us!(Selah)
• Ps 76:1 : 1 For the music director; to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a psalm of Asaph, a song. God has revealed himself in Judah; in Israel his reputation is great.
• Ps 86:3-5 : 3 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I cry out to you all day long! 4 Make your servant glad, for to you, O Lord, I pray! 5 Certainly O Lord, you are kind and forgiving, and show great faithfulness to all who cry out to you.
• Ps 116:6 : 6 The LORD protects the untrained; I was in serious trouble and he delivered me.
• Ps 116:16 : 16 Yes, LORD! I am indeed your servant; I am your servant, the son of your female servant. You saved me from death.
• Ps 119:75-77 : 75 I know, LORD, that your regulations are just. You disciplined me because of your faithful devotion to me. 76 May your loyal love console me, as you promised your servant. 77 May I experience your compassion, so I might live! For I find delight in your law.
• Ps 119:132 : 132 Turn toward me and extend mercy to me, as you typically do to your loyal followers.
• Ps 143:2 : 2 Do not sit in judgment on your servant, for no one alive is innocent before you.
• Isa 45:24 : 24 they will say about me,“Yes, the LORD is a powerful deliverer.”’” All who are angry at him will cower before him.