When I translate psalms, I try to make ’em rhyme. I borrowed the Scottish psalter’s 8·6·8·6 iambic meter, but you’ll notice it’s different. Asterisks indicate where David put
Psalm 4 KWL - 0 For the director. For strings. David’s psalm.
- 1 When I call out to you, my God,
- my righteous one, reply!
- You widen narrowness for me.
- Show mercy! Hear my cry!
- 2 Oh sons of men, how long will my
- successes bring you shame?
- Why do you all love empty things?
- Why follow lies? How lame.*
- 3 Know this—that for himself, the L
ORD - the pious ones he’ll choose.
- The L
ORD , when I call out to him, - will listen, not refuse.
- 4 So shake in awe, and don’t trespass.
- Make mute your hearts in bed. *
- 5 Present more righteous offerings,
- and trust the L
ORD instead. - 6 The great might say, “Who knows what’s good?
- And who will show the way?”
- L
ORD , lift your face, your countenance, - and light our path each day.
- 7 You give joy to my heart, my God.
- I’m thinking of the time
- my heart was full because it had
- a lot of grain and wine.
- 8 In peace, together, I lie down
- and off I go to sleep.
- Because of you alone, oh L
ORD , - I live in safety deep.
There are a great many things taught about David ben Jesse, the third king of Israel. Like people who teach he’s only the second king of Israel—’cause they don’t count Ishbaal ben Saul. (
The L
Problem is, a lot of Christians are bananas for David. Particularly Christians who like to teach about leadership, whether church or business leadership. They tend to hold David up as the best example of a successful
As a result of trying to focus only on David’s successes, victories, and positive enthusiasm, these teachers frequently skip or skim over the parts of the psalms where David’s just frustrated, angry, struggling,
These teachers whiff past David’s real difficulties, and treat ’em as if God quickly mopped them up, and David leapt from success to success. They fail to realize the psalms contain David complaining about his problems a lot. Because it’s not easy being king! Plus, y’know, the lousy fathering, the horny womanizing, the sloppy judgment, the murdering.
But being bananas for God means he did totally trust God to get him through every single one of his problems. Even though he had ’em. Just like we do.