O ye {d} sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye {e} love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.

(d) You who think yourselves noble in this world.

(e) Though your enterprises please you, yet God will bring them to nothing.

Wesley's Notes

4:2 My glory - By his glory probably he means that honour which God had conferred upon him. Vanity - Wickedness. Lying - Those calumnies which they raised against him, to make him odious to all the people.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

2. sons of men-men of note or prominence (compare 2Ch 21:9).

turn my glory-or, "royal dignity."

into shame-or, "reproach."

vanity-a foolish and hopeless enterprise (Ps 2:1).

leasing-a lie.

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.