(This is the third of a few posts on Psalm 4, written as a followup to Oscar Hammerstein and reading the Bible)

I don’t know how to help readers “hear” tone of voice. And yet tone of voice is so helpful in understanding what sentences mean.

For example, read these two sentences out loud. As you read, put your left hand on your hip. Hold out the index finger on your right hand and point it at the monitor. Pretend that the person you are talking to is  10 yards away across a noisy machine shop so you have to yell. Pretend that person has asked you three times to repeat yourself.

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

Now, read them again. This time, rest your hands gently on your knees. Pretend the person you are talking to is sitting right next to you. Pretend that the person next to you isn’t the “you” in the sentences, but is a good friend. Look at a photograph of your runaway teenager, the one you are keeping the light on for, the one you would give anything for a call from.

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

Feel the difference in your tone of voice, in your tone of heart?

What if that’s how God is saying these words to David as he’s writing this poem? With that kind of parental compassion?

It makes the next sentences feel different.  For example, David next says to whoever is listening, “Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;  the LORD will hear when I call to him.” Read this as, “Know that God is paying attention to the ones who are paying attention to him. ”

David’s request at the start begins to be affirmed.

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Here are the notes on the first two verses of this Psalm.

verse one: A conversational reading of Psalm 4

verse two: Are you talking to me?