Psalms 4:6
There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
Psalms 4:6
Psalm 4:6 presents a cry many hear in times of scarcity of hope: “There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.” The psalmist reflects a culture of mounting pressure—illusory promises, social noise, and competing voices that question whether God’s goodness is near. The rhetorical question “Who will show us any good?” exposes a longing for tangible, visible blessing—bread and security—that crowds may boast of but cannot guarantee. The request for God’s “light of thy countenance” invokes the felt presence of God—the smile of approval, the sense that God is favorably inclined toward his people. In the ancient Near East, a monarch’s countenance signified blessing and protection; to have the king’s face shine upon you was to receive mercy and favor. The psalm, placed in a communal setting, comforts believers who live in contested times, reminding them that ultimate goodness and sustained safety come from God’s gracious presence.
This verse centers the essential biblical theme: God’s presence is the true source of good. It shifts the criteria of success from external circumstances to divine nearness. The light of the LORD’s countenance denotes favor, direction, and joy—the transformative effect of God’s gaze upon the life of a believer. Theologically, it foreshadows Jesus as the “light of the world” who reveals God’s goodness most fully. It also touches on the covenantal blessing motif: God’s presence is the blessing that surpasses material prosperity. Trust in God’s face implies a posture of dependence rather than self-reliance, recognizing that goodness in life is rooted in divine graciousness, not human achievement.
Encountering friends, news, or social media posts that cast doubt on God’s goodness can be disorienting. In such moments, posture yourself to seek God’s presence. Pray something like, “Lord, lift up the light of your countenance upon me”—invite his guiding wisdom into decisions about finances, relationships, or career. Practice noticing small mercies: a safe commute, a patient coworker, a needed conversation that brings clarity. When people around you speak cynically about God’s care, respond with quiet confidence that God’s favor is real, even if circumstances are challenging. Let your demeanor reflect the LORD’s presence—gentle, hopeful, and steadfast—so others see that “good” is defined by God’s benevolent gaze, not by transient outcomes.
Cross-References: Psalm 3:3-4; Psalm 31:16; Numbers 6:24-26; Psalm 67:1; John 1:4-9