Psalms 4:1 Meaning and Explanation
“Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist calls on God as his righteous judge to hear his prayer and show mercy.
The Context of Psalms 4:1
An individual prayer of petition, likely sung when facing enemies or false accusers.
What Does Psalms 4:1 Mean?
"God of my righteousness" addresses the Lord as the source of the psalmist's vindication. The past deliverance ("thou hast enlarged me") recalls God's past faithfulness during times of constraint and distress, forming the foundation for this present petition.
The prayer requests both hearing and mercy—acknowledgment and compassionate response. This opening frames the entire psalm as a confidence that God listens to the righteous and acts on their behalf when they call.
Psalms 4:1 in the Original Language
tsiddqi (צִדְקִי), 'my righteousness' — not moral perfection but relational faithfulness; the rightness that comes from being in covenant with God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 4:1
What does Psalms 4:1 mean?
The psalmist calls on God as his righteous judge to hear his prayer and show mercy.
What is the context of Psalms 4:1?
An individual prayer of petition, likely sung when facing enemies or false accusers.