Psalms 61:1

KJV

¶ To the chief Musician upon Neginah, [A Psalm] of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

KJV (with Strong's)

To the chief Musician {H5329}{H8764)} upon Neginah {H5058}, A Psalm of David {H1732}. Hear {H8085}{H8798)} my cry {H7440}, O God {H430}; attend {H7181}{H8685)} unto my prayer {H8605}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the leader. With stringed instruments. By David: Hear my cry, God; listen to my prayer.

Berean Standard Bible

Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer.

American Standard Version

Hear my cry, O God; Attend unto my prayer.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 61:1 opens with a poignant and urgent plea from King David, immediately establishing a profound tone of dependence on divine intervention. The superscription, dedicating this "Psalm of David" to the "chief Musician upon Neginah," situates the prayer within a liturgical and musical context, suggesting its public and communal significance. David's direct and impassioned address, "Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer," underscores his deep distress and his unwavering conviction that God is not only sovereignly powerful but also intimately attentive and responsive to the fervent petitions of His faithful servants, even in their most desperate moments.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The opening verse of [Psalm 61](/psalms/61 "Psalm 61 - A Prayer for Refuge and Deliverance") serves as an immediate and direct invocation, setting the stage for a psalm deeply rooted in a plea for refuge and stability. Following this initial cry for divine attention, David immediately articulates his profound need for a secure dwelling and guidance, declaring, "From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I" ([Psalms 61:2](/psalms/61-2 "Psalm 61:2 - David's Plea for a Higher Rock")). This establishes the immediate narrative context of a desperate individual, likely in exile or facing overwhelming circumstances, seeking divine protection and a secure haven. The psalm then transitions to an expression of unwavering confidence in God's past and future deliverance, recalling God as a "strong tower from the enemy" and a "shelter" ([Psalms 61:3-4](/psalms/61-3-4 "Psalm 61:3-4 - God as a Strong Tower and Shelter")), before concluding with a vow of perpetual praise and devotion to God's name, demonstrating that David's urgent plea is rooted in a deep, abiding faith despite his current distress.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the precise historical event prompting [Psalm 61](/psalms/61 "Psalm 61 - A Prayer for Refuge and Deliverance") is not explicitly stated, David's life was characterized by numerous periods of intense vulnerability, persecution, and forced exile. This psalm could plausibly stem from his flight from King Saul, as detailed in [1 Samuel 23](/1_samuel/23 "1 Samuel 23 - David Flees from Saul"), or more likely, his desperate escape during Absalom's rebellion, a period of profound personal and national crisis described in [2 Samuel 15](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion"). In ancient Israel, prayer was not merely a ritual but a central, dynamic component of both individual and communal life, often accompanied by raw, uninhibited emotional expression. The act of calling upon God in distress was a common and expected response, reflecting a deep-seated cultural and theological understanding of Yahweh as a God who is actively present, who hears, and who responds to the cries of His people, particularly those who are oppressed, vulnerable, or in danger. The superscription's reference to "Neginah" further highlights the cultural practice of setting such prayers to music for public worship, emphasizing their communal and enduring significance.
* **Key Themes:** [Psalms 61:1](/psalms/61-1 "Psalm 61:1 - David's Urgent Prayer") powerfully introduces several foundational themes prevalent throughout the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Urgent Supplication**, emphasizing the desperate, heartfelt, and immediate nature of David's plea for God's attention. This is not a casual request but a profound outpouring from a soul in distress. Secondly, the verse underscores **God's Attentiveness and Accessibility**, affirming the foundational biblical belief that God is not a distant, indifferent deity but one who actively listens and responds to the prayers of His people. This characteristic of God is a recurring motif in the Psalms, celebrated as a source of comfort and hope, as seen in passages like [Psalm 18:6](/psalms/18-6 "Psalm 18:6 - God Hears Prayer") where the psalmist declares, "He heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears." Finally, the verse clearly demonstrates **Profound Dependence on God**, as David turns not to human strength, political alliances, or military might, but directly and solely to the divine for deliverance and refuge. This showcases a complete reliance on God's sovereign power and faithfulness to provide stability and protection, as he later seeks God as his "strong tower" ([Psalms 61:3](/psalms/61-3 "Psalm 61:3 - God as a Strong Tower")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ_):** This verb (H8085) means "to hear intelligently," often implying not just the perception of sound but also attention, understanding, and obedience. When David implores God to "hear," he is not merely asking for God to register the noise of his voice, but to comprehend the depth of his distress, to give heed to his petition, and implicitly, to act in response. It conveys a desire for God's active engagement and empathetic reception of his plea.
* **Cry (Hebrew, _rinnâh_):** This noun (H7440) denotes a "creaking" or "shrill sound," which can signify either a shout of joy or a mournful wail. In the context of a desperate plea for help, it conveys a fervent lament, an intense, desperate appeal, or an outpouring of deep emotional distress. It emphasizes the urgency and raw, unvarnished nature of David's prayer, suggesting it emanates from the very core of his being, not a casual or formal request.
* **Attend (Hebrew, _qâshab_):** The verb (H7181) means "to prick up the ears," "to listen closely," or "to pay careful attention." It goes beyond merely "hearing" by implying a deliberate, focused act of listening. David is not asking God for a passive acknowledgment but for an active, discerning consideration of his prayer. This implies a desire for God to bend down, to incline His ear, and to engage compassionately and responsively with his specific situation and petition.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ To the chief Musician upon Neginah, [A Psalm] of David.":** This superscription serves as an authoritative editorial note, providing crucial information about the psalm's origin, authorship, and intended liturgical use. "To the chief Musician" (H5329) indicates it was designated for the director of music or choirmaster, suggesting its public and communal performance within temple worship. "Upon Neginah" (H5058) specifies the musical accompaniment, likely referring to stringed instruments, highlighting its melodic and perhaps mournful or contemplative nature. "A Psalm of David" (H1732) attributes its authorship to King David, grounding the prayer in his personal experience and spiritual authority, inviting the reader to connect with his life and faith.
* **"Hear my cry, O God;":** This is a direct, urgent, and personal imperative. David addresses God directly and intimately as "O God" (H430), signifying a relationship of profound trust and dependence. "Hear my cry" (H8085, H7440) is a desperate plea for God to perceive, acknowledge, and understand his intense emotional outpouring and distress. It is a raw, unvarnished expression of immediate and profound need, seeking divine attention.
* **"attend unto my prayer.":** This second clause functions in synonymous parallelism with the first, reinforcing and intensifying the initial plea. "Attend unto my prayer" (H7181, H8605) moves beyond a mere request for God to hear sounds to an appeal for active, focused, and compassionate listening. David desires God to incline His ear, to pay close attention, and to respond thoughtfully and mercifully to his specific petition, emphasizing the depth of his longing for divine engagement and intervention.

#### Literary Devices
[Psalms 61:1](/psalms/61-1 "Psalm 61:1 - David's Urgent Prayer") employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message and emotional depth. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the second clause, "attend unto my prayer," reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first, "Hear my cry, O God." This repetition serves to emphasize the profound earnestness and desperation of David's plea, ensuring the reader grasps the depth of his need for divine intervention. The verse also functions as a direct **Supplication**, a formal and humble appeal to a higher power, characterized by its imperative verbs ("Hear," "attend"), which convey urgency and dependence. Furthermore, there is a subtle yet significant element of **Anthropomorphism** (or Personification) in the request for God to "attend" or "incline His ear," implying a personal, active, and empathetic engagement from a divine being who can physically and emotionally respond to human distress, making God relatable and accessible to the psalmist.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[Psalms 61:1](/psalms/61-1 "David's Cry to God") is a foundational expression of the biblical truth that God is a hearer of prayer, intimately involved in the lives of His people. It underscores the profound accessibility of God, regardless of the believer's circumstances or the depth of their distress. David's confident and urgent appeal reflects a robust theology where God is not distant or indifferent but actively present, deeply concerned, and responsive to the fervent petitions of His creation. This verse sets the stage for the entire psalm as a testament to unwavering faith in the midst of turmoil, demonstrating that genuine trust in God naturally leads to open, honest, and urgent communication with Him. It serves as a powerful reminder to believers that the divine ear is always open to the sincere cries of the afflicted, affirming God's character as compassionate, attentive, and ultimately, a faithful deliverer who provides refuge and stability.

* [Psalm 4:1](/psalms/4-1 "Psalm 4:1 - Hear Me When I Call")
* [Psalm 18:6](/psalms/18-6 "Psalm 18:6 - God Hears Prayer")
* [Isaiah 59:1](/isaiah/59-1 "Isaiah 59:1 - The Lord's Hand is Not Shortened")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Psalms 61:1](/psalms/61-1 "David's Urgent Prayer") serves as a timeless and powerful model for prayer, particularly during moments of personal crisis, overwhelming difficulty, or profound vulnerability. It encourages believers to approach God with absolute honesty and unreserved transparency, pouring out their deepest fears, anxieties, and most urgent needs without reservation or pretense. David's direct and intense language—"Hear my cry," "attend unto my prayer"—challenges us to move beyond superficial or perfunctory requests and engage in fervent, desperate supplication when circumstances truly demand it. This verse profoundly reminds us that our God is not only capable of hearing but is also deeply concerned with our plight, eagerly inclining His ear to those who call upon Him in truth and sincerity. It fosters a spirit of expectant faith, knowing that the God who listens is also the God who acts, providing refuge, strength, and deliverance precisely when we feel most vulnerable and overwhelmed, inviting us to cast all our anxieties upon Him, because He cares for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "cry" or urgent need in your life are you currently holding back from God, and how might you express it with David's level of raw honesty and urgency?**
* **How does David's confident expectation that God will "attend" to his prayer shape your own confidence in God's active and compassionate involvement in your personal circumstances?**
* **In what practical ways can you cultivate a deeper and more profound sense of dependence on God, consistently turning to Him first and foremost in times of distress, rather than relying on your own strength or other finite resources?**

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

Answer: The superscription provides vital contextual information about the psalm's authorship, musical instruction, and its intended liturgical or public use. "To the chief Musician" (לַמְנַצֵּחַ, _lamnatsêach_) indicates that this psalm was specifically designated for the choirmaster or director of music in the temple, suggesting its public and communal performance within the worship life of ancient Israel. This highlights its role in corporate worship, allowing the community to join in David's personal plea. "Upon Neginah" (עַל־נְגִינַת, _‘al-negînath_) specifies the musical accompaniment, most likely referring to stringed instruments, which would have given the psalm a melodic and perhaps a solemn or mournful character, fitting for a prayer of distress. Attributing it to "A Psalm of David" (H1732) confirms Davidic authorship, grounding the psalm in the historical experiences of Israel's shepherd-king, whose life was marked by both profound faith and intense trials, such as his flight from Absalom in [2 Samuel 15](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion"). This detail reinforces the authenticity and spiritual authority of the text, inviting readers to connect with David's personal plea to God for refuge and deliverance, a theme echoed in [Psalm 61:2](/psalms/61-2 "Psalm 61:2 - David's Plea for a Higher Rock") and throughout the Psalter.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's desperate cry in [Psalms 61:1](/psalms/61-1 "David's Cry to God") finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest resonance in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While David cried out from his own personal distress and need for deliverance, Jesus, the perfect Son of God, perfectly embodied the human condition of dependence, even crying out to His Father in profound agony in the [Garden of Gethsemane](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane"), "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." His ultimate cry from the cross, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry on the Cross")), represents the apex of human desolation, as He bore the sin of the world and experienced the Father's abandonment on our behalf. Yet, unlike David's cry for personal deliverance, Jesus's cry was for the redemption of humanity, establishing Him as the ultimate refuge and the "rock that is higher than I" ([Psalms 61:2](/psalms/61-2 "Psalm 61:2 - David's Plea for a Higher Rock")) for all who believe. Furthermore, the resurrected Christ now serves as our eternal and perfect High Priest and intercessor, standing before God's throne, who "ever liveth to make intercession" for us ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ Our Intercessor")). Through Him, our cries are not only heard but are perfectly presented to the Father, securing for us the refuge, deliverance, and attentive ear of God that David so earnestly sought. In Christ, we find the ultimate answer to every desperate prayer.

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

Philippians 4:6

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Psalms 4:1

¶ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me [when I was] in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

Psalms 86:6

Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.

Psalms 130:2

Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

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;

Psalms 5:1

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