To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David. 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.

PSALMS 4:1KJV
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Psalms 4:1 (KJV)

What does Psalms 4:1 mean?

Psalms 4:1 is a prayer where David asks God to listen to him in a time of trouble, remembering how God has helped him before and asking for mercy and attention to his prayer now. David calls God the source of his righteousness and expresses trust that God can bring relief when he is in distress.

David is speaking directly to God, likely during a difficult period in his life. The verse opens with a note to the chief musician, showing this was meant to be sung or played with stringed instruments ("Neginoth"). David recalls past times when God "enlarged" him—meaning God gave him space or relief—when he was in tight or troubling situations, and he now pleads for God to do the same again.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 4:1

  • נְגִינוֹת (Neginoth, transliteration: neginoth): This word refers to stringed instruments. Its mention shows that this psalm was intended to be accompanied by music, which was a common way to express deep emotion and prayer in ancient Israel.
  • צַר (distress, transliteration: tsar): This word means a tight or narrow place, often used for times of trouble or pressure. The image is of being squeezed or trapped, so when David says God "enlarged" him, he is describing relief from a constricting situation.
  • חָנַן (mercy, transliteration: chanan): This word means to show favor or be gracious. David is not demanding help but humbly asking God to show kindness and undeserved favor toward him.

Why Psalms 4:1 matters

  • Psalms 4:1 shows that it is natural to remind God of past help as a basis for present prayers, highlighting a relationship built on trust and memory.
  • The verse emphasizes that God is seen as the source of righteousness and relief, not just a distant power, but someone personally involved in David’s struggles.
  • The musical direction ("Neginoth") and the personal plea together reveal that worship and honest emotion were closely linked in ancient Israel’s faith practice.

Where else these words appear

“Neginoth” Hebrew H5058 · used in 14 verses

  • Job 30:9 And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword.
  • Psalms 61:1 To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
  • Psalms 77:6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.

“enlarged” Hebrew H7337 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 26:22 And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.
  • Psalms 25:17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
  • Isaiah 54:2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;

“Psalm” Hebrew H4210 · used in 57 verses

  • Psalms 3:1 A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
  • Psalms 39:1 To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
  • Psalms 79:1 A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

“Musician” Hebrew H5329 · used in 65 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 15:21 And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel.
  • Psalms 31:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
  • Psalms 61:1 To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.