The Meaning of Psalms 4:3 Explained

Psalms 4:3

KJV: But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

YLT: And know ye that Jehovah Hath separated a saintly one to Himself. Jehovah heareth in my calling to Him.

Darby: But know that Jehovah hath set apart the pious man for himself: Jehovah will hear when I call unto him.

ASV: But know that Jehovah hath set apart for himself him that is godly: Jehovah will hear when I call unto him.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But know  that the LORD  hath set apart  him that is godly  for himself: the LORD  will hear  when I call  unto him. 

What does Psalms 4:3 Mean?

Verse Meaning

David was godly (Heb. hasid) because he was the object of God"s election for a special purpose. His godliness was the result of God"s calling, not the reason for it. Because the Lord had set him aside for a special purpose of His own (i.e, sanctified, "set apart," him) David was confident God would hear his prayer.

Context Summary

Psalms 4:1-8 - Morning And Evening Prayers
These psalms probably date from David's flight before Absalom, 2 Samuel 16:1-23. It is the perfection of trust to be able to sleep when our foes are many and set upon our destruction. So Jesus slept, Mark 4:38; and Peter, Acts 12:6. Be sure that you are where God would have you to be, and then resign yourself to His loving care. Even though pursued by the results of your sins, you will find that God will save you, on condition of your being contrite.
Let us begin the day and close it with thanksgivings and prayers. Godly means having the power to love. Dost thou love God and His saints? Then know that He has set thee apart-that is, separated thee-for Himself. Seek His will alone. Be content to let the world go by. Thou hast no need to envy the prosperous worldling. God suffices for heaven; why not for earth? [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 4

1  David prays for audience
2  He reproves and exhorts his enemies
6  Man's happiness is in God's favor

What do the individual words in Psalms 4:3 mean?

but know that has set apart Yahweh him who is godly for Himself Yahweh will hear when I call to Him
וּדְע֗וּ כִּֽי־ הִפְלָ֣ה יְ֭הוָה חָסִ֣יד ל֑וֹ יְהוָ֥ה יִ֝שְׁמַ֗ע בְּקָרְאִ֥י אֵלָֽיו

וּדְע֗וּ  but  know 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: דָּעָה 
Sense: to know.
כִּֽי־  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: כִּי 
Sense: that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since.
הִפְלָ֣ה  has  set  apart 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: פָּלָה  
Sense: to be distinct, marked out, be separated, be distinguished.
יְ֭הוָה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
חָסִ֣יד  him  who  is  godly 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: חָסִיד  
Sense: faithful, kind, godly, holy one, saint, pious.
ל֑וֹ  for  Himself 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular
יְהוָ֥ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
יִ֝שְׁמַ֗ע  will  hear 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁמַע 
Sense: to hear, listen to, obey.
בְּקָרְאִ֥י  when  I  call 
Parse: Preposition-b, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct, first person common singular
Root: קָרָא  
Sense: to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim.
אֵלָֽיו  to  Him 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular
Root: אֶל  
Sense: to, toward, unto (of motion).