Psalms 17:6

I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, [and] hear my speech.

I have called {H7121} upon thee, for thou wilt hear {H6030} me, O God {H410}: incline {H5186} thine ear {H241} unto me, and hear {H8085} my speech {H565}.

Now I call on you, God, for you will answer me. Turn your ear to me, hear my words.

I call on You, O God, for You will answer me. Incline Your ear to me; hear my words.

I have called upon thee, for thou wilt answer me, O God: Incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.

Commentary

Commentary on Psalms 17:6 (KJV)

Psalms 17:6, a verse from David's heartfelt prayer, encapsulates a profound declaration of faith and an earnest plea for divine attention. David, facing adversaries and seeking justice, expresses unwavering confidence that God hears his cries, even as he specifically asks for God to incline His ear and listen to his words. This verse serves as a powerful testament to the intimate and responsive nature of God in the life of a believer.

Context of Psalms 17

Psalm 17 is titled "A Prayer of David," indicating its origin and purpose. In this psalm, David appeals to God for deliverance from his enemies, whom he describes as wicked and oppressive. He asserts his own integrity and righteousness before God, not as a claim to sinlessness, but as an affirmation that he has not committed the specific wrongs his adversaries accuse him of. The entire psalm is a desperate cry for God's intervention and protection, making verse 6 a pivotal moment of trust and direct petition within this intense prayer.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Unwavering Confidence in God's Hearing: David's opening declaration, "I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God," is not a hopeful wish but a firm conviction. It highlights a foundational aspect of biblical prayer: the assurance that God is not deaf or indifferent but actively listens to His people. This confidence is a cornerstone of a vibrant prayer life, encouraging believers to approach God with boldness.
  • The Earnestness of Petition: The subsequent request, "incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech," reveals the depth of David's longing for God's personal attention. It’s a plea for God to bend down, as it were, and listen intently to his specific words. This imagery conveys a desire for intimate communion and a thorough understanding of his situation.
  • God's Attentiveness to His People: The verse implicitly teaches about God's character. He is portrayed as a God who is accessible and responsive, willing to engage with the concerns of His children. This theme resonates throughout the Psalms, portraying God as a refuge and a very present help in trouble.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "incline thine ear" (Hebrew: Χ”Φ·Χ˜ΦΎΧΧ‡Χ–Φ°Χ Φ°ΧšΦΈ, hat oznecha) is a vivid anthropomorphism, attributing human-like characteristics to God to describe His active engagement. It paints a picture of God bending down close to listen, emphasizing His personal interest and readiness to hear. This isn't merely a passive hearing, but an attentive, engaged listening, signifying that God is not distant but intimately involved in the lives of those who call upon Him.

Related Scriptures

David's confidence in God's hearing echoes the assurance found in 1 John 5:14, which states that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. The imagery of God inclining His ear speaks to His readiness to listen, a theme also seen in Psalm 34:15, where the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry. David's consistent habit of prayer and God's faithfulness to hear is further highlighted in Psalm 116:2, where he states, "Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live."

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 17:6 serves as a powerful reminder and encouragement for prayer. It teaches us to approach God with a confident expectation that He hears, not based on our merit, but on His faithful character. When we pray, we should do so with sincerity and specificity, knowing that God desires to listen to our "speech." This verse invites us to cultivate a consistent and trust-filled prayer life, believing that our Heavenly Father is always attentive to the cries of His children. Even in times of distress or injustice, we can confidently call upon Him, knowing He will incline His ear to us.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 116:2

    Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon [him] as long as I live.

  • Psalms 86:7

    In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

  • Psalms 88:2

    Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;

  • Psalms 66:19

    [But] verily God hath heard [me]; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

  • Psalms 66:20

    Blessed [be] God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

  • Psalms 55:16

    ΒΆ As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.

  • Daniel 9:17

    Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.
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