Psalms 4:2

You men, ¹  how long will you try to turn my honor into shame? ²  How long ³  will you love what is worthless ⁴  and search for what is deceptive? ⁵  (Selah)

How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Selah

O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah.

How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make these groundless accusations? How long will you pursue lies? Interlude

You rabble--how long do I put up with your scorn? How long will you lust after lies? How long will you live crazed by illusion?

O you sons of men, how long will you go on turning my glory into shame? how long will you give your love to foolish things, going after what is false? (Selah.)

How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? Selah

How long, O you sons of men, Will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness And seek falsehood? Selah

You men, ¹  how long will you try to turn my honor into shame? ²  How long ³  will you love what is worthless ⁴  and search for what is deceptive? ⁵  (Selah)

¹ tn Heb “sons of man.”

² tn Heb “how long my honor to shame?”

³ tn The interrogative construction עַד־מֶה (’ad-meh, “how long?”), is understood by ellipsis in the second line.

⁴ tn Heb “emptiness.”

⁵ tn Heb “a lie.” Some see the metonymic language of v. 2b (“emptiness, lie”) as referring to idols or false gods. However, there is no solid immediate contextual evidence for such an interpretation. It is more likely that the psalmist addresses those who threaten him (see v. 1) and refers in a general way to their sinful lifestyle. (See R. Mosis, TDOT 7:121.) The two terms allude to the fact that sinful behavior is ultimately fruitless and self-destructive.