Abstract:  We prove an ordinary modularity lifting theorem for certain non-regular 4-dimensional symplectic representations over totally real fields.  The argument uses both higher Hida theory and the Calegari-Geraghty version of the Taylor-Wiles method.  We also present some applications of these theorems to abelian surfaces.  (Joint work with F. Calegari, T. Gee, and V. Pilloni.)