TORAH
FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES
NEVI'IM
PROPHETS
KETUVIM
WRITINGS

Chapter 4

Listen to this chapter in Hebrew:

1For the leader; with instrumental music. A psalm of David.

lam-na-TZAY-akh bin-gee-NOT miz-MOR l'-da-VID

אלַמְנַצֵּחַ בִּנְגִינוֹת מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד׃

 4:1   For the leader

The title of this psalm is lamnatzeakh (למנצח), translated as “for the leader.” The root of the word menatzeakh is נ-צ-ח, which means ‘victory.’ What does the Lord consider a victory? According to the Sages, a victory for God is achieved when the Nation of Israel is living on its land, engaged in self-actualization and maturation, and evolves from a miracle-reliant culture into a self-sustaining and law-abiding nation. Then, Hashem smiles down on them from heaven.

2Answer me when I call, O Hashem, my vindicator! You freed me from distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

בבְּקָרְאִי עֲנֵנִי אֱלֹהֵי צִדְקִי בַּצָּר הִרְחַבְתָּ לִּי חָנֵּנִי וּשְׁמַע תְּפִלָּתִי׃

3You men, how long will my glory be mocked, will you love illusions, have recourse to frauds? Selah.

גבְּנֵי אִישׁ עַד־מֶה כְבוֹדִי לִכְלִמָּה תֶּאֱהָבוּן רִיק תְּבַקְשׁוּ כָזָב סֶלָה׃

4Know that Hashem singles out the faithful for Himself; Hashem hears when I call to Him.

דוּדְעוּ כִּי־הִפְלָה יְהֹוָה חָסִיד לוֹ יְהֹוָה יִשְׁמַע בְּקָרְאִי אֵלָיו׃

5So tremble, and sin no more; ponder it on your bed, and sigh.

הרִגְזוּ וְאַל־תֶּחֱטָאוּ אִמְרוּ בִלְבַבְכֶם עַל־מִשְׁכַּבְכֶם וְדֹמּוּ סֶלָה׃

6Offer sacrifices in righteousness and trust in Hashem.

וזִבְחוּ זִבְחֵי־צֶדֶק וּבִטְחוּ אֶל־יְהֹוָה׃

7Many say, “O for good days!” Bestow Your favor on us, Hashem.

זרַבִּים אֹמְרִים מִי־יַרְאֵנוּ טוֹב נְסָה־עָלֵינוּ אוֹר פָּנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה׃

8You put joy into my heart when their grain and wine show increase.

חנָתַתָּה שִׂמְחָה בְלִבִּי מֵעֵת דְּגָנָם וְתִירוֹשָׁם רָבּוּ׃

9Safe and sound, I lie down and sleep, for You alone, Hashem, keep me secure.

טבְּשָׁלוֹם יַחְדָּו אֶשְׁכְּבָה וְאִישָׁן כִּי־אַתָּה יְהֹוָה לְבָדָד לָבֶטַח תּוֹשִׁיבֵנִי׃