Psalm 4:6
New International Version
Many, LORD, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us.

New Living Translation
Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, LORD.

English Standard Version
There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!”

Berean Standard Bible
Many ask, “Who can show us the good?” Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD.

King James Bible
There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

New King James Version
There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?” LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.

New American Standard Bible
Many are saying, “Who will show us anything good?” Lift up the light of Your face upon us, LORD!

NASB 1995
Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?” Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O LORD!

NASB 1977
Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?” Lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us, O LORD!

Legacy Standard Bible
Many are saying, “Who will show us good?” Lift up the light of Your face upon us, O Yahweh!

Amplified Bible
Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see some good!” Lift up the light of Your face upon us, O LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
Many are asking, “Who can show us anything good? ” Let the light of your face shine on us, LORD.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Many are saying, “Who can show us anything good?” Look on us with favor, LORD.

American Standard Version
Many there are that say, Who will show us any good? Jehovah, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

Contemporary English Version
There are some who ask, "Who will be good to us?" Let your kindness, LORD, shine brightly on us.

English Revised Version
Many there be that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Many are saying, "Who can show us anything good?" Let the light of your presence shine on us, O LORD.

Good News Translation
There are many who pray: "Give us more blessings, O LORD. Look on us with kindness!"

International Standard Version
Many are asking, "Who will help us to see better days?" LORD, may the light of your favor shine upon us.

Majority Standard Bible
Many ask, “Who can show us the good?” Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD.

NET Bible
Many say, "Who can show us anything good?" Smile upon us, LORD!

New Heart English Bible
Many say, "Who will show us any good?" LORD, lift up the light of your face upon us.

Webster's Bible Translation
There are many that say, Who will show us any good? LORD, lift thou upon us the light of thy countenance.

World English Bible
Many say, “Who will show us any good?” Yahweh, let the light of your face shine on us.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Many are saying, “Who shows us good?” Lift on us the light of Your face, O YHWH,

Young's Literal Translation
Many are saying, 'Who doth show us good?' Lift on us the light of Thy face, O Jehovah,

Smith's Literal Translation
Many saying, Who will cause us to see good? Lift up upon us the light of thy face, O Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The light of thy countenance O Lord, is signed upon us: thou hast given gladness in my heart.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The light of your countenance, Lord, has been sealed upon us. You have given joy to my heart.

New American Bible
Many say, “May we see better times! LORD, show us the light of your face!” Selah

New Revised Standard Version
There are many who say, “O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O LORD!”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
There are many that say, Who can show us a good man so that he may shine upon us the light of his countenance?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
There are many who say, "Who will show us good and will shed upon us the light of his face?"
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Many there are that say: 'Oh that we could see some good!' LORD, lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Many say, Who will shew us good things? the light of thy countenance, O Lord, has been manifested towards us.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Answer Me When I Call!
5Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the LORD. 6Many ask, “Who can show us the good?” Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD. 7You have filled my heart with more joy than when grain and new wine abound.…

Cross References
Numbers 6:24-26
‘May the LORD bless you and keep you; / may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; / may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’

Psalm 31:16
Make Your face shine on Your servant; save me by Your loving devotion.

Psalm 67:1
For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Psalm. A song. May God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah

Psalm 80:3
Restore us, O God, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.

Psalm 80:7
Restore us, O God of Hosts, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.

Psalm 80:19
Restore us, O LORD God of Hosts; cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.

Psalm 119:135
Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.

Proverbs 16:15
When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.

Isaiah 60:19
No longer will the sun be your light by day, nor the brightness of the moon shine on your night; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor.

Daniel 9:17
So now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, O Lord, cause Your face to shine upon Your desolate sanctuary.

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 6:22
The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.

Luke 2:32
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”

John 1:4-5
In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. / The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.


Treasury of Scripture

There be many that say, Who will show us any good? LORD, lift you up the light of your countenance on us.

many

Psalm 39:6
Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

Psalm 49:16-20
Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; …

Ecclesiastes 2:3
I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

lift

Psalm 21:6
For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance.

Psalm 42:5
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

Psalm 44:3
For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.

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Psalm 4
1. David prays for audience
2. He reproves and exhorts his enemies
6. Man's happiness is in God's favor














Many ask
The phrase "Many ask" reflects a common human condition of seeking answers and understanding. In the Hebrew text, the word for "ask" is "אֹמְרִים" (omrim), which can also mean "say" or "speak." This suggests a vocalized or communal questioning, indicating that the concerns expressed are not isolated but shared among a group. Historically, this could reflect the communal nature of ancient Israelite society, where collective experiences and concerns were often voiced together. In a spiritual sense, this phrase highlights the universal quest for meaning and reassurance, a theme that resonates throughout the Psalms.

Who can show us the good?
This question, "Who can show us the good?" reveals a deep yearning for guidance and clarity. The Hebrew word for "good" is "טוֹב" (tov), which encompasses not only moral goodness but also well-being, prosperity, and happiness. This reflects a desire for a life that is aligned with God's will and blessings. In the historical context of the Psalms, this question could arise from a period of distress or uncertainty, prompting the community to seek divine intervention or wisdom. From a theological perspective, it underscores the belief that true goodness and fulfillment come from God alone, a central tenet in conservative Christian thought.

Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD
The phrase "Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD" is a plea for divine favor and presence. The imagery of God's face shining is rooted in the Hebrew word "אוֹר" (or), meaning "light," which symbolizes life, guidance, and blessing. This echoes the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:24-26, where God's face shining upon His people signifies His grace and peace. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the face of a deity represented their attention and favor, making this a powerful request for God's benevolent presence. For conservative Christians, this phrase is a reminder of the intimate relationship believers can have with God, seeking His light to guide and sustain them through life's challenges.

(6) There be many.--Around the fugitive king were many whose courage was not so high, nor their faith so firm, as his. He hears their expressions of despair--

"Talking like this world's brood."--MILTON.

It is better to translate the words of these faint-hearted ones by the future, as in Authorised Version; not by the optative, as Ewald and others.

Lift thou up . . .--This is an echo of the priestly benediction (Numbers 6:24, et seq.), which must so often have inspired the children of Israel with hope and cheerfulness during their desert wanderings--which has breathed peace over so many death-beds in Christian times.

The Hebrew for "lift" is doubly anomalous, and is apparently formed from the usual word "to lift," with a play upon another word meaning "a banner," suggesting to the fearful followers of the king that Jehovah's power was ready to protect him. The Vulg. follows the LXX. in rendering, "The light of thy countenance was made known by a sign over us:" i.e., shone so that we recognised it.

Verse 6. - There be many that say, Who will show us any good? Pessimists are numerous in all ages. Among David's adherents in his times of distress (ver. 1) would be many who doubted and desponded, anticipating nothing but continued suffering and misfortune. Theft would ask the question of the text. Or the scope may be wider. Men are always seeking for good, but not knowing what their true good is. David points it out to them. It is to have the light of God's countenance shining on them. Lord, lift thou up, etc.; compare the form of Levitical benediction (Numbers 6:24-26), and see also Psalm 31:15; Psalm 80:3, 7, 19. If we bask in the sunshine of God's favour, there is nothing more needed for happiness.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Many
רַבִּ֥ים (rab·bîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

ask,
אֹמְרִים֮ (’ō·mə·rîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Who
מִֽי־ (mî-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

can show us
יַרְאֵ֪נ֫וּ (yar·’ê·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common plural
Strong's 7200: To see

the good?”
ט֥וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

Shine
נְֽסָה־ (nə·sāh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

the light
א֨וֹר (’ō·wr)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 216: Illumination, luminary

of Your face
פָּנֶ֬יךָ (pā·ne·ḵā)
Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

upon us,
עָ֭לֵינוּ (‘ā·lê·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

O LORD.
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT Poetry: Psalm 4:6 Many say Who will show us any (Psalm Ps Psa.)
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