Psalms 28:2

KJV

Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.

KJV (with Strong's)

Hear {H8085} the voice {H6963} of my supplications {H8469}, when I cry {H7768} unto thee, when I lift up {H5375} my hands {H3027} toward thy holy {H6944} oracle {H1687}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Hear the sound of my prayers when I cry to you, when I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary.

Berean Standard Bible

Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.

American Standard Version

Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, When I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 28:2 captures the heartfelt and urgent plea of King David, who, in a moment of profound distress or confrontation, earnestly implores God for an attentive hearing and decisive intervention. This verse vividly portrays the posture of a worshiper who, facing overwhelming circumstances, instinctively turns to the very presence of the Almighty, expressing a humble yet fervent reliance on divine responsiveness and grace. It is a cry from the depths, seeking solace and deliverance from the only true source of help.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 28 is a deeply personal lament and prayer for deliverance, likely composed by David during a period of intense trial or threat. The psalm opens with David's desperate cry to the Lord, pleading for God not to remain silent, lest he be counted among those who descend into the pit of death ([Psalm 28:1](/psalms/28-1 "Psalm 28:1 - David's Cry for God's Attention")). Verse 28:2 directly follows this anguished opening, intensifying the supplication and highlighting David's profound need for God to acknowledge and respond to his distress, contrasting sharply with the dreaded silence of an unresponsive deity. The psalm then transitions from this fervent plea to a declaration of trust in God's eventual answer and a blessing for God's people, reflecting a spiritual journey from anguish to assurance in the midst of adversity ([Psalm 28:6-7](/psalms/28-6-7 "Psalm 28:6-7 - Blessed Be the Lord, My Strength")). The structure moves from desperate petition to confident praise, underscoring the transformative power of faith in God's character.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King David, throughout his reign, faced numerous formidable enemies and periods of intense personal and national crisis, whether from internal rebellions (e.g., Absalom) or external adversaries (e.g., Philistines). His psalms frequently reflect these struggles, serving as raw expressions of his faith amidst adversity. The phrase "thy holy oracle" (Hebrew: _dəvîr_) is culturally and historically significant. It refers to the Holy of Holies, the innermost sanctuary of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, where the Ark of the Covenant resided and where God's presence was uniquely manifested, particularly above the mercy seat ([Exodus 25:22](/exodus/25-22 "Exodus 25:22 - God Speaks from the Mercy Seat")). David's posture of "lifting up my hands" was a common and ancient gesture of prayer, worship, and surrender in the ancient Near East, signifying earnest appeal, reverence, and often associated with receiving a blessing or making an oath ([1 Kings 8:54](/1_kings/8-54 "1 Kings 8:54 - Solomon's Prayer Posture")). This indicates David's prayer was not merely a casual request but a formal, reverent, and deeply personal act directed toward the very heart of God's dwelling place.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several core themes prevalent in the Psalms and throughout Scripture. The primary theme is **earnest prayer and desperate supplication**, emphasized by the repetition of "Hear the voice of my supplications" and "when I cry unto thee," underscoring the intensity and urgency of David's plea. This highlights the believer's absolute reliance on God to listen and act, mirroring the New Testament instruction to present requests to God with supplication and thanksgiving ([Philippians 4:6](/philippians/4-6 "Philippians 4:6 - Present Your Requests to God")). Another crucial theme is **worshipful posture and sincere devotion**, as "when I lift up my hands" is a traditional and deeply symbolic gesture of prayer and worship, signifying surrender, reverence, and expectation. It is a physical expression of a heart reaching out to God, seen throughout Scripture as a sign of sincere devotion ([Psalm 63:4](/psalms/63-4 "Psalm 63:4 - Lifting Hands in Worship"), [1 Timothy 2:8](/1_timothy/2-8 "1 Timothy 2:8 - Lifting Holy Hands in Prayer")). Finally, the verse underscores the theme of **seeking God's direct and manifest presence**, as directing his prayer "toward thy holy oracle" indicates David's profound understanding that true help and divine intervention emanate directly from the very presence of God, the source of all power and authority, even as God's presence is not confined to a single location ([Isaiah 66:1](/isaiah/66-1 "Isaiah 66:1 - God's Throne and Footstool")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ_):** This primitive root (H8085) signifies more than just perceiving sound; it implies intelligent listening, often with the implication of attention, understanding, and obedience. When David pleads "Hear," he is not merely asking God to register his words, but to actively attend to, comprehend, and respond to his desperate cries. It is a plea for God's active engagement and intervention.
* **Supplications (Hebrew, _tachănûwn_):** This noun (H8469), derived from a root meaning "to be gracious" or "show favor," conveys earnest prayer or entreaty. It denotes a plea for grace, mercy, or favor, made from a position of humility and dependence. David is not asserting a right but appealing to God's compassionate character, begging for a merciful response to his distress, acknowledging his complete reliance on divine favor.
* **Oracle (Hebrew, _dᵉbîyr_):** This term (H1687) specifically designates the shrine or innermost part of the sanctuary—the Holy of Holies—within the Tabernacle or Temple. It was the most sacred space, separated by a veil, where the Ark of the Covenant resided. The _dᵉbîyr_ was considered the unique dwelling place of God's manifest presence on earth, where He would speak to His people ([1 Kings 6:5](/1_kings/6-5 "1 Kings 6:5 - The Inner Sanctuary")). David's prayer "toward thy holy oracle" signifies an intentional, reverent, and direct appeal to the very heart of God's dwelling and authority, seeking a divine utterance or response.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hear the voice of my supplications":** This opening clause is an urgent and direct appeal to God to listen. The "voice" here is not merely an audible sound but represents the full expression of David's earnest and humble pleas for grace and mercy. It emphasizes the intensity and sincerity of his prayer, underscoring his complete dependence on God's willingness to respond with active attention and compassion.
* **"when I cry unto thee":** This phrase intensifies the preceding one, reiterating David's desperate state and the urgency of his communication with God. The verb "cry" (Hebrew: _shâvaʻ_) often denotes a loud, distressed call for help, highlighting the depth of David's anguish and his conviction that God is the only one who can provide relief. It signifies a direct, personal, and unreserved outpouring of his heart to the divine, a plea born of profound need.
* **"when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle":** This clause describes David's physical posture and the spiritual direction of his prayer. Lifting hands was a common gesture of prayer and worship, symbolizing reverence, surrender, and the act of reaching out to God in expectation. Directing this gesture "toward thy holy oracle" signifies that David is not praying generally but specifically aligning himself with the recognized dwelling place of God's manifest presence, demonstrating his faith in God's immediate accessibility and power to respond from His very throne.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 28:2 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey David's fervent plea. **Apostrophe** is prominently featured, as David directly addresses God ("unto thee"), creating an intimate and personal tone for the prayer, highlighting the direct nature of his appeal. The phrase "voice of my supplications" utilizes **metonymy**, where "voice" stands for the entire act and content of his earnest prayer, emphasizing the audible and expressive nature of his appeal. There is also a strong sense of **parallelism**, specifically **synonymous parallelism**, between "Hear the voice of my supplications" and "when I cry unto thee," with the second clause reinforcing and intensifying the first, underscoring the urgency and depth of David's distress. Finally, the imagery of "lifting up my hands toward thy holy oracle" provides vivid **sensory imagery** and **symbolism**, allowing the reader to visualize David's posture of reverence and desperate yearning for divine encounter and intervention at the very seat of God's presence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly speaks to the nature of prayer as a direct, earnest, and humble appeal to a God who hears and responds. David's posture and direction of prayer underscore the theological truth that God is not distant but accessible, and that genuine supplication, offered with a heart of dependence, reaches His very presence. The "holy oracle" points to God's commitment to dwell among His people and to be the source of their help and salvation, a place where divine communication and intervention are expected. This concept foreshadows the ultimate accessibility to God's throne of grace, not through a physical temple, but through the atoning work of Christ. The intensity of David's cry also highlights the biblical understanding that God invites and even expects His people to bring their deepest needs and fears before Him, confident in His mercy and power, knowing that He is a God who draws near to those who draw near to Him.

* [Psalm 3:4](/psalms/3-4 "Psalm 3:4 - The Lord Hears My Voice")
* [Psalm 141:2](/psal141-2 "Psalm 141:2 - Prayer as Incense, Lifted Hands as Evening Sacrifice")
* [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 28:2 serves as a timeless model for our own prayer lives, encouraging us to approach God with the same earnestness, humility, and confidence that characterized David's plea. In moments of distress, uncertainty, or profound need, we are invited to pour out our "supplications" to God, knowing that He is not indifferent to our cries but is attentive to the prayers of His children. The image of lifting hands, though a physical posture, symbolizes a spiritual posture of surrender, reverence, and open reception to God's will and grace. While we no longer have a physical "holy oracle" like the Holy of Holies, believers today have something far greater: direct, unhindered access to God's presence through Jesus Christ, our great High Priest. This verse reminds us that true help and divine intervention come from aligning ourselves with God's presence, whether in our private prayer closets or in corporate worship. Our prayers should be marked by sincerity, a deep awareness of our dependence on God, and an unwavering faith in His willingness to hear and respond according to His perfect will, trusting that He works all things for our good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does David's intensity in prayer reveal about his understanding of God's character and responsiveness?**
* **How does the physical posture of "lifting up hands" translate into a spiritual posture of prayer for believers today?**
* **In what ways do you "cry unto" God when facing your deepest fears or most pressing needs?**
* **How does the concept of the "holy oracle" inform your understanding of where and how you seek God's presence in your life?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of David lifting his hands in prayer?**

Answer: Lifting hands in prayer is an ancient and deeply symbolic gesture found throughout the Bible. It signifies several things: reverence and worship, surrender and submission to God's will, a posture of receiving from God's bounty, and an earnest appeal or supplication. It's a physical expression of a heart reaching out to God, often accompanying intense prayer or blessing. For David, it underscored the sincerity and desperation of his plea, demonstrating his complete reliance on God and his desire to connect with the divine presence. It's a universal posture of humility and openness before the Creator, a visible sign of an inward disposition of dependence and expectation.

**Does the mention of "thy holy oracle" imply that believers today need a physical temple or sacred space to pray effectively?**

Answer: No, the mention of "thy holy oracle" does not imply that believers today need a physical temple or sacred space to pray effectively. While the "holy oracle" (the Holy of Holies) was the central point of God's manifest presence in the Old Testament Tabernacle and Temple, its significance has been fulfilled and transformed in the New Covenant. Through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, the veil separating humanity from God's most holy presence was torn from top to bottom ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Temple Veil Torn")), signifying that direct access to God's throne of grace is now open to all who believe ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Bold Access to God's Throne")). Therefore, our "holy oracle" is now Christ Himself, and we can approach God's presence from anywhere, at any time, through Him ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way")). The New Testament teaches that believers themselves are temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body, a Temple of the Holy Spirit")), making every place a potential sanctuary for prayer.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's earnest plea to "Hear the voice of my supplications... when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle" finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "holy oracle," the Holy of Holies, represented the dwelling place of God's manifest presence, a sacred space accessible only to the high priest once a year. However, in Christ, the ultimate High Priest, the veil separating humanity from God's presence was torn at His crucifixion ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Temple Veil Torn")), signifying that direct, unhindered access to God's holy presence is now open to all who believe. Jesus Himself is the true "oracle," the Word made flesh who "dwelt among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), embodying God's presence in human form and serving as the perfect revelation of the Father ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Whoever Has Seen Me Has Seen the Father")). Through His finished work on the cross and His ongoing intercession at the right hand of God ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")), we are invited to "draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith" ([Hebrews 10:22](/hebrews/10-22 "Hebrews 10:22 - Drawing Near to God")), no longer needing a physical temple or a human mediator. Our prayers, offered in His name and through His perfect righteousness, are heard not just _toward_ a holy place, but directly _in_ the presence of God, because Christ Himself is our Way, Truth, and Life, the one through whom we come to the Father ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). He is the ultimate answer to every supplication, the one who truly hears and responds from the very throne of grace.

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 138:2

I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

Psalms 141:2

Let my prayer be set forth before thee [as] incense; [and] the lifting up of my hands [as] the evening sacrifice.

1 Timothy 2:8

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Psalms 140:6

I said unto the LORD, Thou [art] my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

Psalms 5:7

¶ But as for me, I will come [into] thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: [and] in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

Psalms 134:2

Lift up your hands [in] the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.

Daniel 6:10

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.