Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 58 of 107
What is required in the fourth commandment?
A.The fourth commandment requireth the keeping holy to God such set times as he hath appointed in his word; expressly one whole day in seven, to be a holy sabbath to himself.
Which Bible passages support this answer?
The Westminster Assembly attached these Scripture proofs to answer 58. Read them together and ask what each one shows about the answer.
- Deuteronomy 5:12-14
12“Be careful to observe the Sabbath day just as the Lord your God has commanded you. 13You are to work and do all your tasks in six days, 14but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. On that day you must not do any work, you, your son, your daughter, your male slave, your female slave, your ox, your donkey, any other animal, or the resident foreigner who lives with you, so that your male and female slaves, like yourself, may have rest. (NET)
What does this answer mean?
The fourth commandment requires keeping holy to God the set times he has appointed in his Word, and expressly one whole day in seven as a holy sabbath to him. The pattern of one day in seven comes from God himself.
What can we ask our children?
- How much of the week does God set apart for himself?
- What does 'keep holy' mean?
- What makes our Lord's Day different from other days?
Can I print this question?
Yes. Every printable here is free for home, church and co-op use. Press Print on any of these pages for a clean sheet.
- Memory card for question 58 (fold-over card, question on the front)
- Copywork page for question 58 (trace, then copy)
- Memory cards for questions 51 to 60
- Copywork for questions 51 to 60
- All Westminster Shorter Catechism printables
Text: The Shorter Catechism, constitutional text of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Public domain (1647). Proof references: Scripture proofs added by the Westminster Assembly, as transcribed by The Westminster Standard. Scripture quotations are from the NET Bible; see permissions.
Checked against a second edition on November 15, 2026. Explanation and questions by Household Theology Press. Last updated November 15, 2026.