Psalms 10:17

KJV

LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

KJV (with Strong's)

LORD {H3068}, thou hast heard {H8085} the desire {H8378} of the humble {H6035}: thou wilt prepare {H3559} their heart {H3820}, thou wilt cause thine ear {H241} to hear {H7181}:

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI, you have heard what the humble want; you encourage them and listen to them,

Berean Standard Bible

You have heard, O LORD, the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will incline Your ear,

American Standard Version

Jehovah, thou hast heard the desire of the meek: Thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 10:17 stands as a powerful declaration of faith amidst the psalmist’s lament over the rampant wickedness and oppression in the world. It articulates a profound truth: God, the sovereign Lord, is intimately attentive to the cries and earnest desires of the humble and afflicted. Far from being a distant observer, He actively engages with their hearts, preparing them to seek Him, and then unfailingly inclines His ear to hear their petitions, promising divine intervention and justice for the downtrodden.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 10 is a fervent lament, a passionate cry to God regarding the unchecked arrogance and seemingly prosperous evil of the wicked. The psalm opens with the psalmist questioning God's apparent distance and inaction in the face of injustice ([Psalms/10-1](/psalms/10-1 "Psalm 10:1 - Why Do You Stand Afar Off?")). It vividly describes the wicked's pride, greed, and contempt for God ([Psalms/10-2-11](/psalms/10-2-11 "Psalm 10:2-11 - Description of the Wicked")). However, a significant shift occurs in verses 12-16, where the psalmist moves from complaint to fervent petition and a renewed declaration of God's eternal kingship and justice. Verse 17, therefore, serves as the confident climax of this shift, a firm assurance that despite appearances, God has indeed heard and will act on behalf of the oppressed, transitioning the psalm from a plea for intervention to an affirmation of divine responsiveness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the "humble" (Hebrew: _‘anawim_) were often the poor, the afflicted, the oppressed, those without power or influence who were vulnerable to exploitation by the wealthy and wicked. This psalm reflects a common struggle in the ancient Near East, where justice was often elusive for the marginalized. The cultural expectation was that a just ruler would defend the cause of the poor and fatherless. The psalmist appeals to God as the ultimate divine King and Judge, whose character demands that He uphold justice and protect the vulnerable, unlike earthly rulers who might be corrupt or indifferent. The lament tradition itself was a culturally accepted and theologically rich way for individuals and communities to express distress and seek divine intervention when the reality of their suffering seemed to contradict God's promised justice and covenant faithfulness.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 10:17 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Justice and Sovereignty**, asserting that God is not indifferent to human suffering but actively intervenes on behalf of the oppressed, even when His actions are not immediately apparent. It highlights **God's Attentiveness to the Humble**, contrasting His responsiveness to the lowly with His resistance to the proud ([James/4-6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Resists the Proud")). Furthermore, the phrase "thou wilt prepare their heart" introduces the theme of **Divine Enablement in Prayer**, suggesting that God not only hears but also divinely disposes the heart to pray rightly and receive His answers, aligning human desires with His perfect will. This divine work on the heart ensures that the prayers of the humble are not in vain, reinforcing the biblical truth that true prayer is often a work of the Spirit within us ([Romans/8-26](/romans/8-26 "Romans 8:26 - The Spirit Intercedes")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Humble (Hebrew, _‘anawim_):** This plural noun, derived from the root עָנָה (_‘anah_), denotes not merely a lack of pride, but often describes those who are afflicted, oppressed, poor, or lowly in a social or economic sense. In the context of Psalm 10, the _‘anawim_ are the victims of the wicked's schemes, those who are marginalized and vulnerable. God's special attention to the _‘anawim_ underscores His covenant faithfulness, compassion, and commitment to justice for the downtrodden, a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament.
* **Prepare (Hebrew, _takhin_):** From the root כּוּן (_kun_), meaning "to establish," "make firm," "make ready," or "direct." In this context, it signifies God's active, internal work in the hearts of the humble. It suggests that God not only hears their prayers but also disposes their inner being, their will, and their emotions, making them receptive to His will and empowering their petitions. This divine preparation ensures that their prayers are aligned with God's purposes and are therefore effective.
* **Desire (Hebrew, _ta’avah_):** This noun refers to a longing, craving, or earnest request. While sometimes used negatively for lustful desires, here it refers to the deep, earnest longings and petitions of the humble. It implies a heartfelt, sincere cry rather than a superficial or self-serving request. God hears not just the words, but the profound yearning of the humble heart.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble:"** This opening clause asserts God's past or present action of hearing. The psalmist declares with confidence that the sovereign God (LORD, Yahweh) has already perceived and taken note of the earnest longings and petitions of those who are afflicted, lowly, and oppressed. This is a declaration of faith, a confident affirmation of God's attentiveness even when His intervention is not yet visible. It establishes the foundation of trust: God is not deaf to the cries of His suffering people.
* **"thou wilt prepare their heart,"** This clause reveals God's internal, proactive work. Before or concurrently with hearing, God actively shapes and disposes the hearts of the humble. He makes them ready, firm, and aligned with His will, enabling them to pray effectively, to endure, and to receive His answers. This divine preparation ensures that the humble are not praying in vain but are being equipped by God Himself for a deeper relationship and effective petitioning. It speaks to God's transformative power within the believer.
* **"thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:"** This final clause powerfully reinforces and reiterates the first. The repetition emphasizes the certainty and intentionality of God's continued attentiveness. It is not a passive hearing but an active, deliberate inclination of God's divine ear towards the humble. This phrase serves as a strong assurance that despite the apparent silence or delay, God remains intimately involved and responsive to the sincere, humble petitions of His people, promising a definitive and just response.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 10:17 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine attentiveness and justice. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the depiction of God having an "ear" that hears, making the abstract concept of divine perception tangible and relatable to human experience. This device emphasizes God's personal and intimate engagement with humanity. **Repetition** is strategically used with the phrase "thou wilt cause thine ear to hear," echoing the initial "thou hast heard." This repetition serves as a powerful **emphasis** and **reassurance**, solidifying the psalmist's confidence in God's unwavering attentiveness and responsiveness. Furthermore, the verse stands in stark **contrast** to the preceding descriptions of the wicked, whose pride and self-sufficiency prevent them from seeking God, implying that God's ear is closed to them while it is open to the humble. This contrast highlights God's righteous judgment and His preferential care for the oppressed. The verse also functions as a **declaration of faith**, marking a pivotal turn in the psalm from lament and questioning to confident assertion of God's character and future action.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 10:17 offers profound theological insights into the character of God and His relationship with humanity, particularly the humble and afflicted. It underscores God's active sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to justice, revealing Him not as a distant deity but as one intimately involved in the suffering of His people. The verse teaches that humility is not merely a virtue but a posture that uniquely positions one to receive divine favor and attention. God's act of "preparing their heart" signifies His prevenient grace, His work within us that enables us to seek Him and pray effectively, aligning our desires with His perfect will. This divine enablement transforms prayer from a mere human effort into a Spirit-empowered communion, ensuring that the earnest cries of the humble are never ignored.

* [1 Peter 5:6](/1_peter/5-6 "1 Peter 5:6 - Humility and Exaltation")
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Resists the Proud")
* [Isaiah 66:2](/isaiah/66-2 "Isaiah 66:2 - God's Regard for the Humble")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 10:17 offers immense comfort and profound challenge for believers today. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of humility, recognizing our dependence on God and acknowledging our place before His sovereign majesty. In a world often marked by injustice and the apparent prosperity of the wicked, this verse serves as a powerful anchor of hope, reminding us that God sees, hears, and acts on behalf of those who humble themselves before Him. It encourages us to bring our deepest desires, our laments, and our petitions to God with unwavering confidence, knowing that He not only listens but also actively works within our hearts, preparing us to pray according to His will and to receive His answers. This understanding deepens our prayer life, transforming it from a duty into a dynamic partnership with the One who enables our very ability to seek Him. For those facing oppression, marginalization, or seemingly unanswered prayers, this verse is a beacon, reaffirming that God's ear is uniquely attuned to their humble cries, promising His ultimate intervention and vindication.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you need to cultivate a greater sense of humility before God?**
* **How does the idea of God "preparing your heart" impact your understanding of prayer and your own spiritual discipline?**
* **When facing injustice or feeling unheard, how can the assurance that God "causes His ear to hear" strengthen your faith and perseverance?**
* **What "desires" of your heart, born out of humility and dependence, are you currently bringing before the Lord?**

### FAQ

**What does "the humble" mean in this context, and why are they special to God?**

Answer: In Psalms 10:17, "the humble" (Hebrew: _‘anawim_) refers not just to a character trait of meekness, but often to those who are afflicted, oppressed, poor, or marginalized by society. They are the vulnerable ones who suffer at the hands of the wicked. They are special to God because He is a God of justice and compassion, who consistently demonstrates a preferential love and care for the downtrodden and defenseless. Unlike the proud and self-sufficient who ignore God, the humble recognize their need for Him and cry out to Him for deliverance. This aligns with God's character as revealed throughout Scripture, where He is depicted as the defender of the widow, the orphan, and the sojourner ([Deuteronomy/10-18](/deuteronomy/10-18 "Deuteronomy 10:18 - God's Love for the Vulnerable")).

**How does God "prepare their heart" before He hears their desire?**

Answer: The phrase "thou wilt prepare their heart" indicates God's active, internal work within the humble. It suggests that God divinely disposes their inner being—their will, thoughts, and emotions—making them ready and receptive to His purposes. This preparation can involve shaping their desires to align with His will, granting them perseverance in prayer, or enabling them to approach Him with the right attitude of faith and dependence. It implies that genuine prayer is not solely a human initiative but is often prompted and empowered by God's Spirit, ensuring that the humble's petitions are not in vain but are truly heard and answered according to His divine plan ([Proverbs/16-1](/proverbs/16-1 "Proverbs 16:1 - The Heart's Preparation from the Lord")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 10:17 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the humble one and is the very means by which God hears and responds to the desires of His people. Jesus Himself lived a life of unparalleled humility, emptying Himself and taking on the form of a servant, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians/2-7-8](/philippians/2-7-8 "Philippians 2:7-8 - Christ's Humiliation")). He taught His disciples the blessedness of the poor in spirit and the meek, promising them the kingdom and the inheritance of the earth ([Matthew/5-3-5](/matthew/5-3-5 "Matthew 5:3-5 - Beatitudes on Humility")). Furthermore, Christ is the great High Priest through whom our prayers are heard and our hearts are prepared. It is through His atoning sacrifice that we gain access to the Father, and it is by His Spirit that our hearts are inclined to pray according to God's will ([Hebrews/4-16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")). The promise that God "will cause thine ear to hear" is supremely realized in Christ, for He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, making reconciliation and answered prayer possible for all who come to God through Him ([John/1-29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Thus, the longings of the humble are heard and fulfilled not merely by divine attentiveness, but by the very person and work of Jesus, who both exemplifies and enables true humility and access to God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 145:19

He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

2 Chronicles 34:27

Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard [thee] also, saith the LORD.

Psalms 34:15

The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry.

Isaiah 65:24

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

1 Peter 3:12

For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil.

Psalms 37:4

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

2 Chronicles 33:12

And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,