Psalms 4:7
Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
Original Language Analysis
נָתַ֣תָּה
Thou hast put
H5414
נָתַ֣תָּה
Thou hast put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 7
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְלִבִּ֑י
in my heart
H3820
בְלִבִּ֑י
in my heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
3 of 7
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
מֵעֵ֬ת
more than in the time
H6256
מֵעֵ֬ת
more than in the time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
4 of 7
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
Cross References
Isaiah 9:3Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.Psalms 37:4Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.Psalms 43:4Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.Acts 14:17Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.Psalms 92:4For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.Song of Solomon 1:4Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.Jeremiah 48:33And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting.Judges 9:27And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.
Historical Context
In agricultural Israel, harvest time was the pinnacle of yearly celebration and prosperity. For David to claim greater joy than this massive cultural high point was radical. Written possibly during his exile when he had nothing, yet possessed everything in God. This demonstrates that true joy is not circumstantial but relational.
Questions for Reflection
- What worldly pleasures are you tempted to prioritize over joy in God's presence?
- How can you cultivate heart satisfaction in God when material circumstances are difficult?
Analysis & Commentary
Here David contrasts worldly joy with divine joy. The gladness God gives surpasses the happiness found in abundant harvests ('corn and their wine increased'). This isn't otherworldly spirituality disconnected from material reality - David acknowledges that harvests bring legitimate joy. Yet God-given gladness transcends and exceeds even life's greatest earthly pleasures. The Hebrew 'simchah' (gladness) describes deep, abiding joy rooted in God's character, not circumstances. This anticipates Jesus's promise of fullness of joy (John 15:11).