Psalms 4:6

4:6 Many say, “Who can show us anything good?”

Smile upon us, Lord! 1 

Psalms 39:7

39:7 But now, O Lord, upon what am I relying?

You are my only hope! 2 

Psalms 77:12

77:12 I will think about all you have done;

I will reflect upon your deeds!”

Psalms 105:16

105:16 He called down a famine upon the earth;

he cut off all the food supply. 3 

Psalms 149:5

149:5 Let the godly rejoice because of their vindication! 4 

Let them shout for joy upon their beds! 5 

1 tn Heb “lift up upon us the light of your face, Lord.” The verb נסה is apparently an alternate form of נשׂא, “lift up.” See GKC 217 §76.b. The idiom “light of your face” probably refers to a smile (see Eccl 8:1), which in turn suggests favor and blessing (see Num 6:25; Pss 31:16; 44:3; 67:1; 80:3, 7, 19; 89:15; Dan 9:17).

sn Smile upon us. Though many are discouraged, the psalmist asks the Lord to intervene and transform the situation.

2 tn Heb “my hope, for you it [is].”

3 tn Heb “and every staff of food he broke.” The psalmist refers to the famine that occurred in Joseph’s time (see v. 17 and Gen 41:53-57).

4 tn Heb “in glory.” Here “glory” probably refers to the “honor” that belongs to the Lord’s people as a result of their deliverance (see v. 4).

5 tn The significance of the reference to “beds” is unclear. Perhaps the point is that they should rejoice at all times, even when falling asleep or awaking.