Psalms 6:9

KJV

The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} hath heard {H8085} my supplication {H8467}; the LORD {H3068} will receive {H3947} my prayer {H8605}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI has heard my pleading, ADONAI will accept my prayer.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.

American Standard Version

Jehovah hath heard my supplication; Jehovah will receive my prayer.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 6:9 marks a profound turning point in a psalm of lament, transitioning from the psalmist's deep anguish and desperate plea for mercy to a confident declaration of faith. After pouring out his soul in suffering and feeling the weight of divine displeasure, the psalmist expresses a sudden and unwavering assurance that the LORD has indeed heard his earnest supplication and will certainly receive his prayer. This verse stands as a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith, affirming God's attentiveness and responsiveness to the cries of His distressed children.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 6 is a classic example of a lament psalm, often categorized as a penitential psalm due to its themes of suffering and confession of sin. The preceding verses [Psalms 6:1-7](/psalms/6-1 "Psalms 6:1-7 - David's Plea for Mercy") vividly portray the psalmist's profound physical and emotional distress. He describes himself as "languishing" and "vexed," his bones "troubled," his soul "sore vexed," and his eyes "consumed with grief." He feels pursued by enemies and overwhelmed by his own weakness, crying out to God to "heal me" and "deliver my soul." This intense outpouring of despair and petition sets the stage for the dramatic shift in verse 8, where the psalmist abruptly addresses his enemies, commanding them to depart because "the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping." Verse 9 then solidifies this newfound confidence, serving as the climax of this spiritual turning point, confirming the divine response that underpins his sudden assurance and transition from lament to praise.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Traditionally attributed to King David, Psalm 6 reflects the personal and communal experiences of ancient Israel. David, as king, often faced threats from enemies, personal illnesses, and the spiritual burden of his own sin, all of which could be interpreted as divine chastisement in the ancient Near Eastern worldview. In this context, prayer, particularly lament and supplication, was a primary means of communicating with God and seeking divine intervention. The concept of God "hearing" and "receiving" prayer was central to Israelite covenant theology, signifying God's active involvement in the lives of His people and His faithfulness to His promises. The act of prostration and weeping, as described in the psalm, was a common cultural expression of intense sorrow and humility before God, underscoring the sincerity and depth of the psalmist's plea.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Responsiveness**, emphasizing that God is not a distant deity but one who actively listens and responds to the sincere cries of His people. This directly counters the despair often expressed in laments where God seems absent or silent (e.g., [Psalm 10:1](/psalms/10-1 "Psalm 10:1 - Why Do You Hide Yourself?")). Closely related is the theme of **Answered Prayer**, even if the answer is not yet fully manifest or the suffering completely removed; the psalmist's declaration is an act of faith in a future reality. The verse also highlights the **Efficacy of Supplication**, demonstrating that humble, earnest prayer, even born of deep distress, is effective in reaching the divine ear. Finally, it exemplifies the profound **Shift from Lament to Praise**, a recurring pattern in the Psalms where the psalmist's initial despair gives way to confident trust and often culminates in thanksgiving, underscoring the transformative power of faith in God's faithfulness, as seen in other psalms like [Psalm 13](/psalms/13 "Psalm 13 - From Lament to Trust").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Supplication (Hebrew, _tᵉḥinnâ'_):** This word (תְּחִנָּה) denotes an earnest plea for favor or mercy, often arising from a deep sense of need, vulnerability, or even guilt. It emphasizes the humble and desperate nature of the psalmist's cry, acknowledging his dependence on God's undeserved grace rather than any inherent right. It suggests a plea for compassion rather than justice.
* **Prayer (Hebrew, _tᵉfillâ'_):** This term (תְּפִלָּה) is a more general and comprehensive word for communion with God, encompassing petitions, intercessions, praise, and confession. While *tᵉḥinnâ* highlights the specific nature of the plea (for mercy), *tᵉfillâ* refers to the act of communication itself. The pairing of these two terms signifies that God hears and accepts the full spectrum of the psalmist's address, from his most desperate cries for mercy to his more general communion.
* **The LORD (Hebrew, _Yahweh'_):** The repetition of "The LORD" (יְהוָה), God's covenant name, is highly significant. It underscores the personal and covenantal relationship David has with God, emphasizing His sovereign power, unwavering faithfulness, and commitment to His people. It is to this personal, relational God, the God of Israel's history and promises, that the psalmist directs his confidence, not to a generic deity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD hath heard my supplication;":** This clause declares a completed action. The use of "hath heard" (past tense) is a powerful statement of faith, indicating that the psalmist believes God has already attended to and acknowledged his earnest plea for mercy. It implies divine attentiveness and an affirmative reception of the prayer, even if the full answer is not yet visible. It's a declaration of certainty, not a hopeful wish.
* **"the LORD will receive my prayer.":** This clause looks to the future with absolute certainty. The repetition of "the LORD" reinforces the divine subject and His unwavering character. "Will receive" signifies not just hearing, but accepting, acknowledging, and acting upon the prayer. It points to a continuing, certain promise of divine responsiveness and acceptance, assuring the psalmist that his entire communion with God, including all his petitions, will be honored.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices. **Parallelism** is prominent, specifically **synonymous parallelism**, where the second clause ("the LORD will receive my prayer") echoes and reinforces the meaning of the first ("The LORD hath heard my supplication"). This repetition of ideas strengthens the psalmist's confident affirmation of God's responsiveness. The **Repetition** of "The LORD" (Yahweh) at the beginning of both clauses serves as an emphatic theological statement, underscoring the sovereign and covenantal nature of the God who hears and answers. This repetition lends a sense of unwavering certainty and grounds the psalmist's confidence firmly in God's character. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as the climax of a dramatic **Shift in Tone/Mood** within the psalm, moving abruptly from the depths of despair and lament (verses 1-7) to a triumphant declaration of faith and assurance (verses 8-10). This sudden transition is a powerful rhetorical device, highlighting the transformative power of prayer and faith in the midst of suffering.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 6:9 stands as a profound theological statement about the character of God and the nature of prayer. It affirms God's active engagement with humanity, portraying Him not as a distant, indifferent deity but as one who inclines His ear to the cries of His children. This verse teaches that genuine, humble prayer, even when born of deep distress and lament, is never in vain. It underscores the biblical truth that God is attentive, compassionate, and faithful to respond to those who call upon Him in truth. The psalmist's confident declaration, made even before the visible resolution of his suffering, highlights the essence of faith: trusting in God's character and promise regardless of present circumstances. This transformative shift from despair to assurance serves as a model for believers, encouraging perseverance in prayer and fostering an expectant hope rooted in God's unfailing love and power.

* [Psalm 116:1-2](/psalms/116-1 "Psalm 116:1-2 - God Hears My Voice")
* [Jeremiah 29:12](/jeremiah/29-12 "Jeremiah 29:12 - God Promises to Hear Prayer")
* [1 John 5:14-15](/1_john/5-14 "1 John 5:14-15 - Confidence in Prayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 6:9 offers immense encouragement to believers navigating the storms of life, whether facing physical illness, emotional anguish, spiritual despondency, or external opposition. It reminds us that our cries, even those steeped in lament and despair, do not fall on deaf ears. God is intimately acquainted with our suffering and attentive to our deepest needs. This verse challenges us to persist in prayer, to pour out our hearts to God with honesty and vulnerability, knowing that He "hath heard" and "will receive" our supplications. It invites us to cultivate a faith that declares God's responsiveness even before we see the tangible answer, transforming our anxiety into confident expectation. In moments when we feel unheard or abandoned, this verse serves as a powerful anchor, drawing us back to the foundational truth of God's unwavering faithfulness and His delight in responding to the prayers of His children.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the psalmist's sudden shift from lament to confidence in Psalms 6:9 challenge my own approach to prayer when I am suffering?**
* **What does it mean for God to "hear" and "receive" my prayer, especially when the answer to my specific request is not immediately apparent?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to cultivate a deeper trust in God's attentiveness and responsiveness, as exemplified in this verse?**

### FAQ
**Why the sudden shift from despair to confidence in Psalm 6?**

Answer: The dramatic shift in Psalm 6, from the profound despair of verses 1-7 to the confident declaration in verses 8-10, is characteristic of many lament psalms. This transition often represents a moment of faith, where the psalmist, having fully expressed their anguish, recalls God's character and promises, or perhaps receives an inner assurance from the Holy Spirit. It's not necessarily that the external circumstances have changed, but that the psalmist's perspective and trust in God have been renewed. This shift can be seen as a rhetorical device to model the journey of faith, a genuine experience of divine encounter, or a declaration of faith *before* the visible answer, demonstrating an unwavering trust in God's faithfulness despite ongoing suffering. It teaches us that even in the darkest moments, faith can break through and declare God's certain response.

**Does "hath heard" mean the prayer is already answered?**

Answer: The phrase "hath heard" (past tense) in Psalms 6:9 signifies God's attentiveness and acceptance of the prayer, rather than necessarily the immediate manifestation of the desired outcome. It's a declaration of faith that the prayer has reached the divine ear and has been acknowledged as valid and acceptable. It implies that God has taken note and will act in His perfect timing and according to His perfect will. This is a crucial distinction: God hears and receives every sincere prayer, but His answer may involve a different timing, a different form, or even a "no" or "wait" that ultimately serves a higher purpose. The psalmist's confidence is in God's character as a listener and responder, not solely in the immediate fulfillment of his specific request.

**What is the difference between "supplication" and "prayer" in this verse?**

Answer: While often used interchangeably in common language, the Hebrew words for "supplication" (*tᵉḥinnâ*) and "prayer" (*tᵉfillâ*) carry distinct nuances that, when paired, offer a richer meaning. "Supplication" (*tᵉḥinnâ*) specifically denotes an earnest, humble plea for favor, grace, or mercy, often arising from a deep sense of need, weakness, or even guilt. It emphasizes the desperate, dependent nature of the request. "Prayer" (*tᵉfillâ*), on the other hand, is a more general term for communion with God, encompassing various forms like petitions, intercessions, praise, and confession. By stating that the LORD has heard his "supplication" and will receive his "prayer," the psalmist emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's attentiveness. God hears both the specific, desperate cries for mercy and the broader, ongoing communication of the believer's heart.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 6:9 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. The psalmist's confident declaration that "The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer" foreshadows the perfect prayer life of Jesus and the new covenant reality of prayer through Him. Jesus Himself, in His earthly ministry, modeled perfect supplication and prayer, especially in His moments of deepest anguish, such as in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He poured out His soul to the Father, saying, "[not my will, but yours be done](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")". His prayers were always heard and received by the Father, even when the answer involved the cross, because they were perfectly aligned with God's will.

Moreover, Christ is the ultimate answer to the psalmist's lament. Through His atoning sacrifice, He has dealt with the sin that often undergirds human suffering, providing the pathway for believers to approach God with confidence. We no longer rely on our own merit or even the intensity of our lament, but on the finished work of Christ. It is through Him that we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him ([Ephesians 3:12](/ephesians/3-12 "Ephesians 3:12 - Access Through Faith")). The Holy Spirit, whom Christ sent, also intercedes for us with groans too deep for words, ensuring that our prayers, even our inarticulate laments, are perfectly presented to the Father and heard according to His will ([Romans 8:26-27](/romans/8-26 "Romans 8:26-27 - The Spirit Intercedes")). Thus, the confidence of Psalms 6:9 is not merely a hope for divine attentiveness, but a guaranteed reality for those who pray in the name of Jesus, knowing that He is our great High Priest who ever lives to make intercession for us ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Intercession")) and invites us to "[draw near with confidence to the throne of grace](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the 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 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 120:1

¶ A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.

2 Corinthians 12:8

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

2 Corinthians 12:10

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Psalms 40:1

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

Psalms 40:2

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, [and] established my goings.