Psalms 4:1
Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
Psalms 4:1
David prays to the God of righteousness, asking to be heard in distress and acknowledging God’s enlarging of him. The sense of enlargement is spiritual and relational—God increases the believer’s capacity to endure and to live rightly in times of trouble. The request for mercy signals humility and dependence, while the overall plea emphasizes that God is attentive to the cries of the righteous when they seek Him in truth.
This verse reinforces God as both righteous and merciful. It highlights a pattern wherein God responds to honest prayer with enlargement—growth in faith, perspective, and endurance. It also frames suffering as an arena for experiencing divine mercy and strengthening, not merely as punishment. Theologically, it connects to God’s character as one who hears, cares, and elevates those who trust Him honestly.
In moments of distress, name your need honestly before God, ask for mercy, and invite Him to enlarge your capacity to endure and respond rightly. Consider journaling your prayers and noting how God enlarges you—emotional resilience, patience, or clearer priorities. If you feel unheard by people, remember God hears you otherwise and will act in His perfect timing. Encourage others with your testimony of God’s enlargement during tough seasons.
Cross-References
- Psalm 4:3
- Psalm 34:17
- Lamentations 3:22-23
- James 5:16
- Hebrews 4:16