Be Angry, But Do Not Sin (Psalms 4:4)

Be Angry, But Do Not Sin (Psalms 4:4)

Dr Paul MacDonald RN MA Dipl

Advice for Those Aligned With Absalom

Some interpreters believe this verse, and indeed the following one (Psalm 4:5), that both of these verses offer counsel to Absalom's men, David's enemies (2 Samuel 15:13–14).

Verses 2 and 3 appear to be spoken to those foes, so this is possible (Psalm 4:2–3).

Advice From David to His Followers

Other interpreters however apply these verses 4 and 5 to David's followers. It seems more likely David is addressing his own men since they'd be more likely to heed his call to be in a right relationship with God. That would include remaining calm in the face of the opposition they faced from David's enemies (Psalm 3:1).

The Rebellion of Absalom

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Be In Control of One's Anger

David advises "Be angry, and do not sin." This is a classic example of words being difficult to translate easily from one language to another. The Hebrew root word translated as "be angry" here is ragaz, which most literally means "to tremble, shake, quake, or be agitated."

Don't Sin

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The meaning as implied in Psalm 4 is not merely about out-of-control wrath or fury. Anger, itself, is not a sin—but that emotion must be carefully controlled, as David recommends here.

Be Mindful to Ponder Your Ways

David's men could easily let anger control their actions as they thought about their aggressors. Even righteous anger is not meant to lead us towards sin. Instead of risking sin, or giving in to it, David's men are advised to ponder their ways as they lie in bed and to be calm.

Bedtime is a good time to search our hearts and confess the sins of the day. Doing so will help us enjoy a peaceful night's sleep instead of tossing and turning in an angry or worried state of mind.

If God is For You, Who'll Be Able to Stand Against You

If believers really do honor and trust in God, they do not need to be afraid of aggressive individuals or threatening circumstances.

In Psalm 27:1 David proclaims, "Yahweh is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

Ways Estranged From God Bring Death

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We must remember, that while the ways of a man "might" seen right in his own eyes, the ends of those ways are death (Proverbs 14:12), and all sinners will die for what they've done (Ezekiel 18:4).

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Dr Paul MacDonald RN MA Dipl ©
Israel Institute of Biblical Studies