| Geneva Study Bible <<{a} To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David.>> Hear me when I call, {b} O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in {c} distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. (a) Among those who were appointed to sing the psalms and to play on instruments, one was appointed chief to set the tune, and to begin: who had the charge because he was most excellent and he began this psalm on the instrument called Neginoth or in a tune so called. (b) You who are the defender of my just cause. (c) Both of mind and body. Wesley's Notes 4:1 O God - The witness and defender of my righteous cause. King James Translators' Notes chief...: or, overseer have...: or, be gracious unto me Scofield Reference Notes [3] Neginoth Neginoth: stringed instruments mentioned in connection with Psalms 3.; 5. 43.; 54.; 60.; 66.; 75., where it seems clear that the musical directions now appearing as titles of Psalms 4.; 6.; 54.; 55.; 61.; 67.; and 76., were anciently appended to the preceding Psalms. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary PSALM 4 Ps 4:1-8. On Neginoth, that is, stringed instruments, as the kind of musical accompaniment. On other parts of title, see [569]Introduction., The historical occasion was probably the same as that of the foregoing [see on [570]Ps 3:1]. The writer, praying for further relief, admonishes his enemies of the vanity of attacking God's servant, exhorts them to repentance, and avows his confidence and peace in God's favor. 1. Hear-as in Ps 3:4. God of my righteousness-or, "my righteous God, as my holy hill" (Ps 2:6), who will act towards me on righteous principles. thou hast enlarged-expresses relief afforded in opposition to "distress," which is expressed by a word denoting straits or pressure. Past favor is a ground of hope for the future. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 4:1-5 Hear me for thy mercy-sake, is our best plea. He who will not ask such blessings as pardon, and justifying righteousness, and eternal life, must perish for the want of them. Alas! that so many should make so fearful a choice. The psalmist warns against sin. Keep up holy reverence of the glory and majesty of God. You have a great deal to say to your hearts, they may be spoken with, let it not be unsaid. Examine them by serious self-reflection; let your thoughts fasten upon that which is good, and keep close to it. Consider your ways, and before you turn to sleep at night, examine your consciences with respect to what you have done in the day; particularly what you have done amiss, that you may repent of it. when you awake in the night, meditate upon God, and the things that belong to your peace. Upon a sick-bed, particularly, we should consider our ways. Be still. when you have asked conscience a question, be serious, be silent, wait for an answer. Open not the mouth to excuse sin. All confidence must be pan answer. Open not the mouth to excuse sin. All confidence only: therefore, after commanding the sacrifices of righteousness, the psalmist says, Put your trust in the Lord. | 
