Psalms 4:2 Meaning and Explanation
“O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist challenges his adversaries, asking how long they will mock him and love empty pursuits.
The Context of Psalms 4:2
The psalm shifts to address enemies who have turned the speaker's honor to shame and pursue falsehood.
What Does Psalms 4:2 Mean?
"O ye sons of men" turns from God to the adversaries directly. The parallel structure—"turn my glory into shame" and "love vanity, and seek after leasing"—shows that personal attack and spiritual corruption go together in the psalmist's adversaries.
"Selah" (likely a musical pause) allows the weight of this accusation to settle. The rhetorical questions express frustration with the enemies' relentless hostility and their attachment to what is false and empty.
Psalms 4:2 in the Original Language
sheqer (שֶׁקֶר), 'leasing' (falsehood) — deception and lies as a way of life, contrasting with the righteousness the psalmist seeks.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 4:2
What does Psalms 4:2 mean?
The psalmist challenges his adversaries, asking how long they will mock him and love empty pursuits.
What is the context of Psalms 4:2?
The psalm shifts to address enemies who have turned the speaker's honor to shame and pursue falsehood.