The rest of chapter 4 contains one of the most personal glimpses we have in all scripture into the heart of a righteous man and prophet, who, in spite of his transcendent revelations and sterling example of righteousness, was still struggling to overcome his mortal weaknesses. This literary and spiritual masterpiece is often called the psalm of Nephi.
About Nephi’s reflective declaration, Latter-day Saint scholar Sidney Sperry wrote: “This is a true psalm in both form and idea. Its rhythm is comparable to the noble cadence of David’s poems. It not only praises God, but lays bare to us the very depths of Nephi’s soul. A study of this psalm reveals how the scriptures delighted Nephi. The influence upon him of the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, and the Psalms is very apparent.” 7
Nephi’s psalm expresses the innermost sentiments many of us have probably felt. Compare, for example, the similar expression by the apostle Paul (Romans 7:14–25). Much of what Nephi, Paul, and others have said is attributable to our striving for perfection in a fallen world. Perhaps it is precisely because we possess the Spirit of the Lord, are on the correct path, and desire to be better than we have been that our sins, mistakes, and less than noble expressions stand out in stark contrast. Perhaps you have had the experience we have had. When looking at a car windshield out of the light, it may appear fairly clean. But when the car is turned toward the light, the sun perhaps, every blemish stands out in stark contrast. So it is with us. At those moments when we turn to the light directly, without wavering, we see more clearly what we have to work on. This is actually good news, though it can be painful, as it obviously was for Nephi. It means we are headed in the right direction.