Psalms 5:1

KJV

¶ To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.

KJV (with Strong's)

To the chief Musician {H5329} upon Nehiloth {H5155}, A Psalm {H4210} of David {H1732}. Give ear {H238} to my words {H561}, O LORD {H3068}, consider {H995} my meditation {H1901}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the leader. On wind instruments. A psalm of David: Give ear to my words, ADONAI, consider my inmost thoughts.

Berean Standard Bible

Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.

American Standard Version

Give ear to my words, O Jehovah, Consider my meditation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 5:1 serves as a profound and urgent opening to a lament, presenting King David's intimate appeal to God. This verse establishes a direct line of communication, where the psalmist not only vocalizes his pleas but also implores the Almighty to deeply consider his unspoken thoughts and inner burdens. It sets a foundational tone of desperate reliance on divine attentiveness and understanding, anticipating the broader themes of justice, guidance, and unwavering trust that unfold throughout the psalm.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 5:1 functions as the superscription, providing crucial information regarding its authorship, musical direction, and purpose. "To the chief Musician" indicates that this psalm was intended for public worship and musical performance, likely under the direction of a skilled choirmaster, suggesting its liturgical use within the Temple. The phrase "upon Nehiloth" is a technical musical term, generally interpreted as referring to wind instruments, possibly flutes, which would have provided the accompanying melody. Attributed to "A Psalm of David," it immediately connects the content to the personal experiences and spiritual insights of the beloved king, echoing the characteristic themes of lament, petition, and trust often found in his psalms. This opening verse, therefore, prepares the reader for a deeply personal yet publicly performed prayer, setting the stage for David's earnest cries for divine intervention against his enemies and for God's righteous judgment, as seen in the subsequent verses of [Psalm 5](/psalms/5 "Psalm 5 - A Prayer for Protection and Guidance").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription places this psalm within the context of ancient Israelite worship practices, where psalms were integral to temple liturgy and personal devotion. The "chief Musician" (Hebrew: לַמְנַצֵּחַ, _lamnatsêach_) was a significant figure in the temple, responsible for the musical arrangements and performance of sacred songs, underscoring the professional and organized nature of worship. While the exact historical occasion for this specific psalm is not stated, many of David's psalms arise from periods of intense distress, persecution by enemies, or internal turmoil, reflecting the challenges of his reign as king. The act of bringing one's "words" and "meditation" before God was a common and accepted form of prayer in ancient Near Eastern cultures, though David's psalms often elevate this to a unique level of intimacy and theological depth, rooted in Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh, the [God who hears](/exodus/3-7 "Exodus 3:7 - God Hears the Cry of His People").
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 5:1 introduces several foundational themes that resonate throughout the psalm and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it highlights **Earnest Petition**, as David's opening words, "Give ear to my words, O LORD," are a direct, urgent, and deeply personal plea for God's undivided attention. This signifies a profound need for divine engagement and a recognition that only God possesses the power and willingness to truly hear and respond to the human heart. Secondly, the verse emphasizes **Intimate Communication**, particularly through the request "consider my meditation." This reveals that prayer is not merely about spoken words but encompasses the silent, often unutterable, wrestling of the soul, inviting God into the deepest recesses of one's thoughts and burdens. This concept of God considering inner thoughts is echoed in passages like [Psalm 139:2](/psalms/139-2 "Psalm 139:2 - God Knows Our Thoughts") and [Psalm 44:21](/psalms/44-21 "Psalm 44:21 - God Knows the Secrets of the Heart"). Finally, the verse underscores **Divine Attentiveness and Responsiveness**, expressing a profound confidence in God's character as one who is neither distant nor indifferent but actively listens and engages with the prayers of His people. This trust in God's willingness to hear and act is a recurring motif in the Psalms, as seen in [Psalm 116:1-2](/psalms/116-1-2 "Psalm 116:1-2 - The Lord Hears My Voice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Give ear (Hebrew, _ʼâzan'_):** From the primitive root H238, this imperative verb means "to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e. (by implication) to listen." It conveys a plea for God to lean in, to pay close attention, and to perceive with understanding. This is more than a casual hearing; it suggests an active, engaged listening that leads to comprehension and, implicitly, to action. David is not merely asking God to acknowledge his words but to fully absorb their meaning and weight.
* **Consider (Hebrew, _bîyn'_):** From the primitive root H995, this imperative means "to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e. (generally) understand." It goes beyond mere hearing to a deeper level of cognitive processing. David is asking God not just to hear his words, but to grasp the full context, the underlying emotions, and the unspoken concerns that prompt his prayer. It implies a request for divine insight into the petitioner's true condition, a profound discernment.
* **Meditation (Hebrew, _hâgîyg'_):** From H1901, this noun, derived from an unused root akin to Hâgâh (to murmur, muse), properly refers to "a murmur, i.e. complaint." It captures the essence of inner reflection, the unspoken burdens of the heart, or the profound, often inarticulable, wrestling of the soul. It suggests a deep inner experience that may not fully translate into coherent speech, yet David trusts that God can perceive even these deepest, unvoiced expressions of his spirit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David.":** This superscription serves as the inspired title and liturgical instruction for the psalm. "To the chief Musician" (לַמְנַצֵּחַ, _lamnatsêach_, H5329) indicates its dedication for public worship and musical performance under the direction of a skilled leader. "upon Nehiloth" (עַל־הַנְּחִילוֹת, _'al hannechiloth_, H5155) is a technical musical term, widely understood to refer to wind instruments, likely flutes, specifying the type of instrumental accompaniment for this particular song. "A Psalm of David" (מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד, _mizmôr lᵉdāwid_, H4210, H1732) attributes the authorship to King David, grounding the psalm in his personal experience and spiritual authority, and signaling its place within the collection of Davidic psalms.
* **"Give ear to my words, O LORD,":** This is David's direct and urgent plea to God. The imperative "Give ear" (_ha'azinah_, H238) is a powerful request for divine attention, implying a deep need for God to listen intently and actively. "My words" (H561) refers to his spoken petitions, complaints, or expressions of faith. The direct address "O LORD" (יְהוָה, _YHWH_, H3068) uses the covenant name of God, emphasizing the personal and relational nature of David's appeal, rooted in God's faithfulness to His people and His self-existent, eternal nature.
* **"consider my meditation.":** This second imperative, "consider" (_binah_, H995), expands the scope of David's plea beyond mere spoken words. He asks God not only to hear what he says but to deeply understand and discern his "meditation" (_hagigi_, H1901). This term encompasses his unspoken thoughts, his inner groans, his anxieties, and the silent wrestling of his soul. It highlights the profound intimacy of prayer, where God is invited into the deepest and most private recesses of the human heart, demonstrating David's confidence that God comprehends even that which cannot be articulated.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 5:1 employs several significant literary devices that enrich its meaning and impact. The most prominent is **Apostrophe**, a direct address to an absent or abstract entity, here exemplified by David's direct appeal, "O LORD." This device immediately establishes an intimate and personal tone, drawing the reader into the direct dialogue between the psalmist and God. Additionally, there is an element of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human characteristics to God, as David asks God to "give ear" and "consider." While God does not literally have ears or a mind in a human sense, these phrases convey His active attentiveness and cognitive engagement with human prayers in a way that is comprehensible to the human listener. The parallel structure between "my words" and "my meditation" also suggests a form of **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second phrase reiterates and expands upon the first, emphasizing that God is called to attend to both the expressed and unexpressed aspects of David's prayer. This deepens the plea, showing that God's concern extends to the entirety of the human experience, encompassing both the audible and the inaudible cries of the heart.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 5:1 lays a vital theological foundation by affirming God's profound attentiveness to humanity, not merely to our spoken words but to the very depths of our inner being. It underscores the biblical truth that God is not a distant deity but an intimately involved Father who bends His ear to the cries of His children and discerns the unspoken burdens of their hearts. This verse invites believers to approach God with absolute transparency, knowing that He desires full communion and understands our "meditation"—the anxieties, hopes, and struggles that may be too deep for words. It establishes prayer as a holistic act, encompassing intellect, emotion, and spirit, and reinforces the confidence that God hears and responds to the earnest pleas of His people, thereby upholding His covenant faithfulness and sovereign care.

* [Psalm 139:2](/psalms/139-2 "Psalm 139:2 - God Knows Our Thoughts")
* [Jeremiah 29:12](/jeremiah/29-12 "Jeremiah 29:12 - God Hears Prayer")
* [Romans 8:26](/romans/8-26 "Romans 8:26 - The Spirit's Intercession")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 5:1 offers a timeless model for prayer and a profound source of comfort for believers today. David's raw honesty and urgent appeal remind us that we are invited to bring our entire selves before God—not just our polished requests, but also our deepest anxieties, unspoken fears, and the quiet, often tumultuous, meditations of our hearts. In a world that often values outward performance and articulate expression, this verse reassures us that God cares deeply about our inner life, our unspoken struggles, and the burdens that words fail to capture. It cultivates a spirit of confident expectation in prayer, knowing that the Almighty God is not only willing but eager to "give ear" and "consider" our every thought and sigh. This encourages us to cultivate a consistent and transparent prayer life, trusting that our heavenly Father truly hears and understands, offering solace, guidance, and peace in every circumstance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it mean for you personally to bring your "meditation"—your unspoken thoughts and feelings—before the Lord?**
* **How does David's confidence in God's attentiveness challenge or encourage your own prayer life?**
* **In what ways might you more intentionally cultivate a prayer life that encompasses both spoken words and silent reflection?**
* **How does the understanding that God "considers" your deepest thoughts impact your sense of His intimacy and care for you?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the superscription "To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David"?**

Answer: The superscription provides vital contextual information about the psalm. "To the chief Musician" (H5329) indicates that this psalm was designed for public worship and musical performance, likely under the direction of a professional choirmaster in the Temple. This highlights its liturgical purpose. "Upon Nehiloth" (H5155) is a technical musical direction, generally understood to refer to wind instruments, possibly flutes, specifying the type of accompaniment for the psalm. "A Psalm of David" (H4210, H1732) attributes the authorship to King David, suggesting that the psalm reflects his personal experiences, struggles, and spiritual insights, grounding it in the life of Israel's most renowned psalmist. This combination of details tells us the psalm was a divinely inspired piece, intended for communal worship, with specific musical arrangements, and rooted in David's personal walk with God, much like other psalms in the collection (e.g., [Psalm 4](/psalms/4 "Psalm 4 - A Prayer of Trust in God") or [Psalm 6](/psalms/6 "Psalm 6 - A Prayer for Mercy in Distress")).

**What is meant by "consider my meditation" in the context of prayer?**

Answer: The phrase "consider my meditation" (Hebrew: הֲגִיגִי, _hagigi_, H1901) refers to David's deepest, often unspoken, thoughts, reflections, and inner burdens. It encompasses the silent wrestling of the soul, the anxieties, hopes, and even the unutterable groans that may not find full expression in spoken words. When David asks God to "consider" (_binah_, H995) this meditation, he is asking God not just to hear his words but to deeply understand, discern, and grasp the full weight and meaning of his innermost being. It highlights the profound intimacy of prayer, where God is invited into the most private and vulnerable aspects of the human heart, assuring us that God comprehends even that which we cannot articulate, much like the Spirit's intercession described in [Romans 8:26](/romans/8-26 "Romans 8:26 - The Spirit's Intercession with Groans"). This concept reinforces God's omniscience and His profound care for the entirety of our human experience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 5:1, with its urgent plea for divine attentiveness to words and unspoken meditation, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. As the perfect Son, Jesus embodied the ultimate petitioner, constantly communing with the Father in both spoken prayer and profound, silent communion, as seen in His frequent withdrawals to pray (e.g., [Mark 1:35](/mark/1-35 "Mark 1:35 - Jesus Prays in the Morning") and [Luke 5:16](/luke/5-16 "Luke 5:16 - Jesus Withdraws to Pray")). His "meditation" in Gethsemane, a silent agony too deep for words, was perfectly heard and understood by the Father, even as He wrestled with the cup of suffering ([Luke 22:42-44](/luke/22-42-44 "Luke 22:42-44 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). Furthermore, Jesus is the one through whom God's ear is perpetually open to His people. He is the ultimate "Chief Musician," leading the worship of God's people ([Hebrews 2:12](/hebrews/2-12 "Hebrews 2:12 - Jesus Leading Worship")), and through His atoning sacrifice, He has opened the way for us to approach God's throne of grace with boldness, knowing our words and meditations are heard ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")). The Holy Spirit, sent by Christ, intercedes for us with "groanings which cannot be uttered" ([Romans 8:26](/romans/8-26 "Romans 8:26 - The Spirit's Intercession")), perfectly translating our deepest "meditations" to the Father, ensuring that the very plea of Psalm 5:1 is answered for every believer in and through Christ.

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

1 John 5:14

¶ And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

1 John 5:15

And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Psalms 54:2

Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.

Psalms 19:14

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalms 55:1

¶ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

Psalms 55:2

Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;

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.