Psalms 141:1

KJV

¶ A Psalm of David. LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.

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.

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.

Berean Standard Bible

I call upon You, O LORD; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to You.

American Standard Version

Jehovah, I have called upon thee; make haste unto me: Give ear unto my voice, when I call unto thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 141:1 opens with a fervent, urgent plea from David to the LORD, establishing a tone of immediate and desperate dependence. It captures the heart of a suppliant in dire need, reaching out directly to God for swift intervention and attentive listening. This verse encapsulates the essence of a prayer for divine protection and guidance amidst pressing circumstances, highlighting the psalmist's profound trust in God's willingness and ability to hear and respond.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 141 is part of the Psalter, a collection of poetic prayers and praises. It is specifically attributed to David, placing it within a significant body of his personal laments and supplications. This psalm is often categorized as an individual lament, characterized by a cry for help, a description of distress, an appeal to God's character, and an expression of trust. The immediate verses following verse 1 continue this theme, with David praying that his prayer would be set before God like incense and the lifting of his hands like the evening sacrifice [Psalms 141:2](/psalms/141-2 "Psalms 141:2 - Prayer as Sacrifice"). He then petitions God to guard his mouth and heart from sin [Psalms 141:3-4](/psalms/141-3 "Psalms 141:3-4 - Prayer for Guarded Speech and Heart"), indicating that his distress involves not only external enemies but also internal temptations to compromise his integrity or retaliate unjustly. The psalm's progression reveals a deep concern for spiritual purity even amidst physical danger.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical occasion for Psalms 141 is not stated, its attribution to David suggests a period of intense personal distress, likely during his flight from Saul or Absalom, or perhaps facing other adversaries who sought his downfall. In ancient Israel, prayer was central to daily life and national identity, often accompanied by sacrifices and rituals. The concept of God "giving ear" was deeply rooted in the covenant relationship, where Yahweh was understood as a God who actively listened to His people's cries, particularly those of the righteous and the oppressed. The urgency expressed in "make haste" reflects a common ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine intervention, where swift action was often perceived as a sign of a deity's power and favor. The cultural context emphasizes a community that understood the profound implications of a direct, personal appeal to their sovereign God, especially when facing existential threats.
* **Key Themes:** This opening verse introduces several key themes prevalent throughout the Psalter and David's life. **Urgent Supplication** is paramount, as David's repeated plea for God to "make haste" underscores a desperate need for immediate divine action. This is not a casual request but a cry born out of pressing circumstances, highlighting the human need for divine intervention in moments of crisis, a theme echoed in [Psalms 70:5](/psalms/70-5 "Psalms 70:5 - Make Haste, O God"). Another central theme is **God's Attentiveness**, as the request "give ear unto my voice" reflects David's profound belief in a God who not only hears but actively listens and responds to the prayers of His people. This emphasizes God's personal engagement with His creation, as seen in [Psalms 34:15](/psalms/34-15 "Psalms 34:15 - The Eyes of the Lord are on the Righteous"). Finally, **Personal Dependence** is evident in the direct address, "LORD, I cry unto thee," showcasing a deep, personal relationship with God. David doesn't appeal to intermediaries but pours out his heart directly to the Sovereign Lord, demonstrating complete reliance on Him, a posture often found in the psalms of lament, such as [Psalms 55:16-17](/psalms/55-16 "Psalms 55:16-17 - David's Evening, Morning, and Noon Prayer").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, meaning "(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God." This is the covenant name of God, Yahweh, emphasizing His eternal, unchanging nature and His personal relationship with His people. David's use of "LORD" here signifies an appeal to the God of the covenant, the one who has revealed Himself and is faithful to His promises, rather than a generic deity. It underscores the profound personal and relational foundation of his prayer.
* **cry (Hebrew, _qârâʼ'_):** From 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 whisper; it suggests a loud, earnest, and often desperate calling out. It signifies a profound emotional outpouring, an appeal for immediate attention, and often carries the connotation of summoning or invoking. David is not merely speaking; he is urgently appealing to God's presence and power.
* **give ear (Hebrew, _ʼâzan'_):** From 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 merely hearing a sound; it conveys the idea of listening with intent, paying close attention, and being receptive to the speaker's plea with the purpose of responding. It highlights David's desire for God's full, discerning attention to his urgent request.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ A Psalm of David."**: This superscription attributes the psalm to King David, indicating its authorship and providing a general context for its themes of prayer, distress, and trust in God, often reflecting David's personal experiences as king, warrior, and worshiper.
* **"LORD, I cry unto thee:"**: This opening declaration immediately establishes the direct, personal nature of the prayer. David addresses God by His covenant name, "LORD" (Yahweh), signifying a relationship of trust and dependence. The act of "crying" conveys urgency, desperation, and a profound emotional outpouring, indicating that David is in a state of distress requiring divine intervention.
* **"make haste unto me;"**: This is a fervent petition for immediate action. The phrase "make haste" expresses David's urgent need for God's swift and timely response, emphasizing the pressing nature of his circumstances. It's a plea for God to not delay in His intervention.
* **"give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee."**: This second petition reiterates and intensifies the initial plea. "Give ear" signifies a request for God to listen attentively and responsively, not just to hear a sound but to pay discerning attention to the content and urgency of David's prayer. The repetition of "when I cry unto thee" underscores the earnestness and consistency of David's supplication, reinforcing his desperate need for God's focused attention and intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 141:1 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgent message. **Apostrophe** is prominently featured, as David directly addresses God ("LORD, I cry unto thee"), creating an intimate and immediate tone. This direct address emphasizes the personal relationship between the psalmist and his Creator. The phrase "give ear unto my voice" utilizes **Personification**, attributing the human action of "giving ear" (listening intently) to God, thereby making God's attentiveness more vivid and relatable. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of the phrase "when I cry unto thee" (implied by the second "cry" in the KJV) emphasizes the persistent and desperate nature of David's supplication, highlighting his continuous reliance on God. The overall tone is one of **Urgency and Immediacy**, conveyed through verbs like "make haste" and "cry," which immerse the reader in the psalmist's pressing need for divine intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 141:1 powerfully articulates the biblical truth that God is both accessible and attentive to the cries of His people. It underscores the privilege and necessity of direct, earnest prayer, particularly in times of distress. The psalmist's urgent plea for God to "make haste" and "give ear" reflects a deep theological conviction in God's sovereignty, His compassion, and His active involvement in human affairs. This verse aligns with the broader biblical narrative of a God who hears, responds, and delivers, inviting believers to approach Him with confidence and authenticity, knowing that He is not distant or indifferent but intimately concerned with their well-being. It affirms that prayer is not merely a human act but a divine encounter, a channel through which God's power and presence are experienced.

* [Psalms 18:6](/psalms/18-6 "Psalms 18:6 - David's Cry and God's Response")
* [Psalms 34:17](/psalms/34-17 "Psalms 34:17 - The Righteous Cry Out")
* [Isaiah 65:24](/isaiah/65-24 "Isaiah 65:24 - God Hears Before We Call")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 141:1 serves as a timeless model for prayer, especially in moments of intense need or spiritual struggle. It teaches us that authentic prayer is not about eloquent words but about a sincere heart pouring out its deepest needs and desires before God. David's unvarnished plea encourages us to bring our anxieties, fears, and urgent requests directly to the Lord, trusting in His character as a compassionate and responsive Father. This verse reminds us that God welcomes our genuine cries, even those born of desperation, and that we can approach Him with the confidence that He not only hears our voice but also listens with intent to respond. It challenges us to cultivate a consistent and bold prayer life, knowing that the God of the universe inclines His ear to His 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 and urgency?**
* **How does David's confidence in God's attentiveness ("give ear unto my voice") challenge or affirm your own belief in God's active listening?**
* **In what ways can you cultivate a more immediate and desperate "cry" to God, rather than relying on your own strength or delayed petitions?**

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

Answer: David's plea for God to "make haste" is not an attempt to dictate God's timing but an expression of the psalmist's urgent human need and deep desire for divine intervention. It reflects the intensity of his distress and his profound trust that God is capable of acting swiftly and powerfully. While God's timing is indeed perfect, human experience of suffering often involves a longing for immediate relief. This plea is a testament to the raw honesty permitted in prayer, where believers can lay bare their deepest desires and anxieties before a compassionate God, even as they ultimately submit to His sovereign will. It mirrors the urgency found in other prayers like [Psalms 70:1](/psalms/70-1 "Psalms 70:1 - Make Haste to Help Me").

### 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 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 the Father with earnest supplication, particularly in moments of profound distress. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus Himself "cried out with loud cries and tears" to the one who could save Him from death [Hebrews 5:7](/hebrews/5-7 "Hebrews 5:7 - Christ's Prayers and Obedience"), demonstrating the very human and urgent appeal that David models. Moreover, Christ is the ultimate answer to David's cry for God to "give ear." Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus opened the way for all believers to approach the Father's throne with boldness and confidence, knowing that their prayers are not only heard but are also interceded for by Christ Himself, who "ever lives to make intercession" for us [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood"). David's longing for God's swift response is fully realized in the New Covenant, where the Holy Spirit empowers believers to cry out "Abba, Father!" [Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption"), assuring them of God's immediate and attentive presence, made possible through the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of 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 70:5

But I [am] poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou [art] my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.

Psalms 71:12

O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.

Psalms 143:7

¶ Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

Psalms 40:13

Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.

Psalms 69:17

And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.

Psalms 69:18

Draw nigh unto my soul, [and] redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.

Psalms 22:19

But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.