Psalms 141:1

Translation
King James Version
¶ A Psalm of David. LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.
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KJV (with Strong's)
A Psalm H4210 of David H1732. LORD H3068, I cry H7121 unto thee: make haste H2363 unto me; give ear H238 unto my voice H6963, when I cry H7121 unto thee.
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Complete Jewish Bible
A psalm of David: ADONAI, I have called you; come to me quickly! Listen to my plea when I call to you.
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Berean Standard Bible
I call upon You, O LORD; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to You.
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American Standard Version
Jehovah, I have called upon thee; make haste unto me: Give ear unto my voice, when I call unto thee.
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World English Bible Messianic
LORD, I have called on you. Come to me quickly! Listen to my voice when I call to you.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
A Psalme of David. O Lord, I call vpon thee: haste thee vnto me: heare my voyce, when I cry vnto thee.
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Young's Literal Translation
A Psalm, by David. O Jehovah, I have called Thee, haste to me, Give ear to my voice when I call to Thee.
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See also
Psalms 70:5Psalms 71:12Psalms 143:7Psalms 40:13Psalms 69:17Psalms 69:18Psalms 22:19
In the KJVVerse 16,278 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Psalms 141:1 presents a fervent and urgent cry from David to the LORD, establishing a profound tone of immediate and desperate dependence. This opening verse encapsulates the essence of a deeply personal prayer for swift divine intervention and attentive listening, highlighting the psalmist's unwavering trust in God's willingness and ability to hear and respond to His people amidst pressing circumstances.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Psalms 141 is situated within the Psalter, a divinely inspired collection of poetic prayers, laments, and praises, and is specifically attributed to David, placing it within a significant corpus of his personal supplications. This psalm is widely recognized as an individual lament, characterized by the psalmist's initial cry for help, a detailed description of his distress, an earnest appeal to God's character and covenant faithfulness, and ultimately, an expression of unwavering trust. The immediate narrative flow following this opening verse reinforces its theme of prayer as sacrifice, as David petitions that his prayer be set before God "as incense" and the lifting of his hands "as the evening sacrifice" (Psalms 141:2). This imagery elevates prayer to a sacred act of worship. The psalm then transitions into a plea for divine preservation from internal sin and external temptation, with David asking God to "set a guard over my mouth" and "keep watch over the door of my lips" (Psalms 141:3), and to prevent his heart from inclining to "any evil thing" (Psalms 141:4). This progression reveals that David's distress is comprehensive, encompassing not only threats from adversaries but also the ever-present danger of spiritual compromise in the face of adversity.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: While the precise historical setting for Psalms 141 remains unspecified, its attribution to David strongly suggests a period of intense personal tribulation, possibly during his flight from King Saul, the rebellion of Absalom, or other significant confrontations with adversaries who sought his downfall. In ancient Israelite society, prayer was an indispensable element of daily life and a cornerstone of national identity, frequently interwoven with sacrificial offerings and established rituals at the tabernacle or temple. The concept of God "giving ear" (Hebrew: ʼâzan) was profoundly embedded in the covenant relationship between Yahweh and His people, signifying that the God of Israel was not a distant or indifferent deity but one who actively listened and responded to the cries of His faithful, particularly the righteous and the oppressed. The urgency conveyed by "make haste" (Hebrew: chûwsh) reflects a common ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine intervention, where swift action was often perceived as a potent demonstration of a deity's power, attentiveness, and favor. This cultural backdrop underscores a community that recognized the profound spiritual and existential implications of a direct, personal appeal to their sovereign God, especially when facing life-threatening circumstances.
  • Key Themes: This foundational verse introduces several pivotal theological and narrative themes that resonate throughout the Psalter and David's life. Foremost among these is Urgent Supplication, as David's impassioned and repeated plea for God to "make haste" underscores a desperate and immediate need for divine action. This is not a casual request but a fervent cry born out of pressing circumstances, highlighting the universal human need for divine intervention in moments of profound crisis, a theme powerfully echoed in David's prayer in Psalms 70:5. Another central theme is God's Attentiveness and Responsiveness, as the petition "give ear unto my voice" reflects David's profound theological conviction in a God who not only hears the sounds of His people but actively listens with intent to respond to their prayers. This emphasizes God's deeply personal and engaged relationship with His creation, a truth beautifully articulated in Psalms 34:15. Finally, Profound Personal Dependence is strikingly evident in the direct address, "LORD, I cry unto thee," which showcases a deep, intimate, and relational bond with God. David bypasses intermediaries, pouring out his heart directly to the Sovereign Lord, thereby demonstrating complete reliance on Him, a posture frequently found in the psalms of lament, such as when he declares his trust in Psalms 55:16-17.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • LORD (Hebrew, Yᵉhôvâh', H3068): Meaning "(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God." This is the sacred, covenant name of God, Yahweh, emphasizing His eternal, unchanging nature and His unique, personal relationship with His people. David's direct use of "LORD" here signifies an appeal to the God of the covenant, the one who has revealed Himself and is utterly faithful to His promises, rather than a generic deity. It underscores the profound personal and relational foundation upon which his urgent prayer is built.
  • cry (Hebrew, qârâʼ', H7121): A primitive root meaning "to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)." This word implies more than a mere whisper or casual utterance; it suggests a loud, earnest, and often desperate calling out, akin to summoning or invoking. It conveys a profound emotional outpouring, an urgent appeal for immediate attention, and signifies that David is not merely speaking but is passionately and urgently appealing to God's presence, power, and intervention.
  • give ear (Hebrew, ʼâzan', H238): A primitive root meaning "probably to expand; but used only as a denominative from אֹזֶן [ozen, ear]; to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e. (by implication) to listen." This term implies more than simply hearing a sound; it conveys the profound idea of listening with intent, paying close, discerning attention, and being receptive to the speaker's plea with the explicit purpose of understanding and responding. It highlights David's fervent desire for God's full, focused, and responsive attention to his urgent request.

Verse Breakdown

  • "¶ A Psalm of David.": This superscription serves as an authoritative attribution, identifying King David as the author of this psalm. It provides crucial context, signaling that the themes of prayer, distress, and unwavering trust in God contained within the psalm often reflect David's deeply personal experiences as a king, warrior, and devoted worshiper, enriching our understanding of the subsequent verses.
  • "LORD, I cry unto thee:": This opening declaration immediately establishes the direct, intimate, and profoundly personal nature of the prayer. David addresses God by His covenant name, "LORD" (Yahweh), signifying a relationship built on trust, dependence, and covenant faithfulness. The act of "crying" conveys not just speaking, but an intense urgency, desperation, and a profound emotional outpouring, indicating that David is in a state of deep distress requiring immediate and powerful divine intervention.
  • "make haste unto me;": This is a fervent and desperate petition for immediate divine action. The imperative phrase "make haste" expresses David's urgent need for God's swift, timely, and decisive response, emphasizing the pressing and critical nature of his circumstances. It is a heartfelt plea for God to not delay in His intervention, reflecting the psalmist's profound reliance on God's power to act quickly in his behalf.
  • "give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.": This second petition reiterates, intensifies, and clarifies the initial plea, underscoring its profound importance. "Give ear" signifies a request for God to listen not just audibly, but attentively, discerningly, and responsively, to the content and urgency of David's prayer. The repetition of "when I cry unto thee" reinforces the earnestness, persistence, and consistency of David's supplication, highlighting his continuous and desperate need for God's focused attention and active intervention in his dire situation.

Literary Devices

Psalms 141:1 is rich with literary devices that powerfully convey its urgent message. Apostrophe is prominently featured, as David directly addresses God ("LORD, I cry unto thee"), immediately establishing an intimate, personal, and immediate tone. This direct address underscores the profound relational bond between the psalmist and his Creator. The phrase "give ear unto my voice" employs Personification, attributing the distinctly human action of "giving ear" (listening intently and responsively) to God, thereby making God's attentiveness more vivid, relatable, and deeply personal. Furthermore, the Repetition of the phrase "when I cry unto thee" (implied by the second "cry" in the KJV translation) serves to emphasize the persistent, earnest, and desperate nature of David's supplication, highlighting his continuous and unwavering reliance on God. The overall tone is one of overwhelming Urgency and Immediacy, conveyed through the forceful verbs like "make haste" and "cry," which effectively immerse the reader in the psalmist's pressing need for swift and decisive divine intervention.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Psalms 141:1 powerfully articulates the foundational biblical truth that God is both intimately accessible and profoundly attentive to the earnest cries of His people. It underscores the immense privilege and spiritual necessity of direct, heartfelt prayer, particularly in times of profound distress, danger, or spiritual struggle. The psalmist's urgent plea for God to "make haste" and "give ear" reflects a deep theological conviction in God's absolute sovereignty, His boundless compassion, and His active, personal involvement in human affairs. This verse aligns seamlessly with the broader biblical narrative of a God who consistently hears, faithfully responds, and powerfully delivers His children, inviting believers across all generations to approach Him with unwavering confidence and raw authenticity, knowing that He is neither distant nor indifferent but intimately concerned with their well-being and salvation. It affirms that prayer is not merely a human act of utterance but a profound divine encounter, a sacred channel through which God's transformative power and comforting presence are experienced.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Psalms 141:1 serves as a timeless and profound model for prayer, especially in moments of intense need, overwhelming anxiety, or spiritual struggle. It teaches us that authentic prayer is not contingent upon eloquent words or elaborate theological constructs, but rather springs from a sincere heart pouring out its deepest needs, fears, and desires directly before God. David's unvarnished and urgent plea encourages us, as believers, to bring our anxieties, our fears, and our most pressing requests directly to the Lord, trusting implicitly in His character as a compassionate, responsive, and ever-present Father. This verse profoundly reminds us that God welcomes our genuine cries, even those born of desperation, and that we can approach Him with the absolute confidence that He not only hears the sound of our voice but also listens with discerning intent, eager to respond in His perfect timing and wisdom. It challenges each of us to cultivate a consistent, bold, and unreserved prayer life, knowing with certainty that the sovereign God of the universe inclines His ear to the cries of His beloved children.

Questions for Reflection

  • What current distress or urgent need in your life are you holding back from bringing to the Lord with full honesty, vulnerability, and urgency?
  • How does David's profound confidence in God's attentiveness ("give ear unto my voice") challenge or affirm your own belief in God's active, personal listening to your prayers?
  • In what practical ways can you cultivate a more immediate and desperate "cry" to God in your daily life, rather than relying on your own limited strength or delaying your petitions?

FAQ

Why does David say "make haste unto me" if God's timing is perfect?

Answer: David's fervent plea for God to "make haste" is not an attempt to dictate or manipulate God's perfect timing, but rather a deeply human and honest expression of the psalmist's urgent need and profound desire for immediate divine intervention. It reflects the intense pressure and distress he is experiencing, coupled with his unwavering trust that God is supremely capable of acting swiftly and powerfully. While the Bible consistently affirms that God's timing is indeed perfect and sovereign, human experience of suffering often involves an understandable longing for immediate relief and deliverance. This plea is a powerful testament to the raw honesty and authenticity permitted in prayer, where believers are encouraged to lay bare their deepest desires, anxieties, and desperate longings before a compassionate and understanding God, even as they ultimately submit to His sovereign and wise will. It mirrors the urgency found in other heartfelt prayers throughout the Psalter, such as David's cry in Psalms 70:1.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Psalms 141:1, with its urgent cry for divine attention and swift intervention, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest resonance in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. David's desperate plea foreshadows the perfect prayer life of the Son of God, who, in His earthly ministry, frequently cried out to His Father with earnest supplication, particularly in moments of profound distress and spiritual agony. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus Himself "offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death" (Hebrews 5:7), embodying the very human and urgent appeal that David models in this psalm. Moreover, Christ is the ultimate answer to David's longing for God to "give ear." Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus opened the way for all believers to approach the Father's throne of grace with boldness and confidence (Hebrews 4:16), knowing that their prayers are not only heard but are also perfectly interceded for by Christ Himself, who "always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25). David's longing for God's swift and attentive response is fully realized in the New Covenant, where the indwelling Holy Spirit empowers believers to cry out "Abba, Father!" (Romans 8:15), assuring them of God's immediate and attentive presence and response, all made possible through the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

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Commentary on Psalms 141 verses 1–4

Mercy to accept what we do well, and grace to keep us from doing ill, are the two things which we are here taught by David's example to pray to God for.

I. David loved prayer, and he begs of God that his prayers might be heard and answered, Psa 141:1, Psa 141:2. David cried unto God. His crying denotes fervency in prayer; he prayed as one in earnest. His crying to God denotes faith and fixedness in prayer. And what did he desire as the success of his prayer? 1. That God would take cognizance of it: "Give ear to my voice; let me have a gracious audience." Those that cry in prayer may hope to be heard in prayer, not for their loudness, but their liveliness. 2. That he would visit him upon it: Make haste unto me. Those that know how to value God's gracious presence will be importunate for it and humbly impatient of delays. He that believes does not make haste, but he that prays may be earnest with God to make haste. 3. That he would be well pleased with him in it, well pleased with his praying and the lifting up of his hands in prayer, which denotes both the elevation and enlargement of his desire and the out-goings of his hope and expectation, the lifting up of the hand signifying the lifting up of the heart, and being used instead of lifting up the sacrifices which were heaved and waved before the Lord. Prayer is a spiritual sacrifice; it is the offering up of the soul, and its best affections, to God. Now he prays that this may be set forth and directed before God as the incense which was daily burnt upon the golden altar, and as the evening sacrifice, which he mentions rather than the morning sacrifice, perhaps because this was an evening prayer, or with an eye to Christ, who, in the evening of the world and in the evening of the day, was to offer up himself a sacrifice of atonement, and establish the spiritual sacrifices of acknowledgement, having abolished all the carnal ordinances of the law. Those that pray in faith may expect it will please God better than an ox or bullock. David was now banished from God's court, and could not attend the sacrifice and incense, and therefore begs that his prayer might be instead of them. Note, Prayer is of a sweet-smelling savour to God, as incense, which yet has no savour without fire; nor has prayer without the fire of holy love and fervour.

II. David was in fear of sin, and he begs of God that he might be kept from sin, knowing that his prayers would not be accepted unless he took care to watch against sin. We must be as earnest for God's grace in us as for his favour towards us. 1. He prays that he might not be surprised into any sinful words (Psa 141:3): "Set a watch, O Lord! before my mouth, and, nature having made my lips to be a door to my words, let grace keep that door, that no word may be suffered to go out which may in any way tend to the dishonour of God or the hurt of others." Good men know the evil of tongue-sins, and how prone they are to them (when enemies are provoking we are in danger of carrying our resentment too far, and of speaking unadvisedly, as Moses did, though the meekest of men), and therefore they are earnest with God to prevent their speaking amiss, as knowing that no watchfulness or resolution of their own is sufficient for the governing of their tongues, much less of their hearts, without the special grace of God. We must keep our mouths as with a bridle; but that will not serve: we must pray to God to keep them. Nehemiah prayed to the Lord when he set a watch, and so must we, for without him the watchman walketh but in vain. 2. That he might not be inclined to any sinful practices (Psa 141:4): "Incline not my heart to any evil thing; whatever inclination there is in me to sin, let it be not only restrained, but mortified, by divine grace." The example of those about us, and the provocations of those against us, are apt to stir up and draw out corrupt inclinations. We are ready to do as others do, and to think that if we have received injuries we may return them; and therefore we have need to pray that we may never be left to ourselves to practise any wicked work, either in confederacy with or in opposition to the men that work iniquity. While we live in such an evil world, and carry about with us such evil hearts, we have need to pray that we may neither be drawn in by any allurement nor driven on by any provocation to do any sinful thing. 3. That he might not be ensnared by any sinful pleasures: "Let me not eat of their dainties. Let me not join with them in their feasts and sports, lest thereby I be inveigled into their sins." Better is a dinner of herbs, out of the way of temptation, than a stalled ox in it. Sinners pretend to find dainties in sin. Stolen waters are sweet; forbidden fruit is pleasant to the eye. But those that consider how soon the dainties of sin will turn into wormwood and gall, how certainly it will, at last, bite like a serpent and sting like an adder, will dread those dainties, and pray to God by his providence to take them out of their sight, and by his grace to turn them against them. Good men will pray even against the sweets of sin.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–4. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 141
"Lord, I have cried unto You, hear Thou me" [Psalm 141:1]. This we all can say. This not I alone say: whole Christ says it. But it is said rather in the name of the Body: for He too, when He was here and bore our flesh, prayed; and when He prayed, drops of blood streamed down from His whole Body. So is it written in the Gospel: "Jesus prayed earnestly, and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood." [Luke 22:44] What is this flowing of sweat from His whole Body, but the suffering of martyrs from the whole Church? "Listen unto the voice of my prayer, while I cry unto You." You thought the business of crying already finished, when you said, "I have cried unto You." You have cried; yet think not yourself safe. If tribulation be finished, crying is finished: but if tribulation remain for the Church, for the Body of Christ, even to the end of the world, let it not only say, "I have cried unto You," but also, "Listen unto the voice of my prayer."
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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