Psalm 4
Psalm 4 is the 4th psalm from the Book of Psalms. Its authorship is traditionally assigned to king David. The psalm's text is a reflection of David speaking to all sinners while addressing himself to Absalom. The message in the psalm is that the victories of sinners are only temporary and meaningless, and that only repentance can bring true happiness.[1] It is a request to God for deliverance from past distresses.[2]
Uses
Judaism
- Verse 5 is part of the prayers of the Bedtime Shema.[3]
- Verse 7 is part of the Prayer for Sustenance recited on High Holidays.[4]
Catholic
About 530 AD Benedict of Nursia chose this Psalm for the beginning of the office of matins, namely as the first psalm in the Benedictine liturgy (Chapters IX and X).[5] In the monasteries that preserve the Benedictine tradition, it is currently the Psalm used on the first Sunday for office vigiles.[6]
Given the current Liturgy of the Hours, 3 Psalm is sung or recited during the Office of Readings Sunday semaine.[7] the first, after the first two psalms.
References
- ^ The Artscroll Tehillim page 6
- ^ The Psalms: translated and explained By Joseph Addison Alexander, Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg, page 26
- ^ The Complete Artscroll Siddur page 295
- ^ The Complete Artscroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah page 79
- ^ Prosper Guéranger, La règle de Saint Benopit, p.37 & 38
- ^ Psautier latin-français du bréviaire monastique, 1938/2003, p.55.
- ^ Le cycle principal des prières liturgiques se déroule sur quatre semaines.
