Psalms 66:19

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But verily {H403} God {H430} hath heard {H8085}{H8804)} me; he hath attended {H7181}{H8689)} to the voice {H6963} of my prayer {H8605}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But in fact, God did listen; he paid attention to my prayer.

Berean Standard Bible

But God has surely heard; He has attended to the sound of my prayer.

American Standard Version

But verily God hath heard; He hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 66:19 serves as a triumphant declaration of the Psalmist's personal experience of divine attentiveness and responsiveness, concluding a section of individual testimony within a broader psalm of communal praise. It powerfully affirms the absolute certainty that God has not only heard but has also deeply considered the sincere petitions of His servant. This verse encapsulates the joyous outcome of a life lived in humble reliance upon God, celebrating the tangible reality of His active presence and faithful intervention in response to heartfelt prayer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 66 begins as a universal summons for "all the earth" to "make a joyful noise to God" ([Psalms 66:1](/psalms/66-1 "Psalm 66:1 - Call to Praise God")), recounting His awesome power displayed in mighty acts of deliverance for Israel, such as the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea and the wilderness journey (vv. 1-12). The psalm then transitions dramatically from this communal narrative to a deeply personal testimony of the Psalmist's own experience of God's faithfulness (vv. 13-20). This individual section commences with the Psalmist fulfilling vows made in distress, offering sacrifices of thanksgiving. Crucially, [Psalms 66:18](/psalms/66-18 "Psalm 66:18 - The Condition for Heard Prayer") states, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me," establishing a moral prerequisite for effective prayer. Thus, verse 19 stands as the climactic personal declaration, a joyous affirmation that this condition was met, and consequently, the prayer was indeed heard and attended to by God, validating the Psalmist's integrity and God's unwavering responsiveness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** As a central book in the ancient Israelite prayer tradition, the Psalms reflect the rich tapestry of human experience in relation to God. In ancient Israelite culture, prayer was often a public declaration, particularly within the context of temple worship or communal gatherings, alongside private supplication. Vows, such as those mentioned in [Psalms 66:13-15](/Psalms/66-13-15 "Psalm 66:13-15 - Fulfilling Vows After Deliverance"), were solemn promises made to God, frequently in times of distress, to be fulfilled upon divine deliverance. The Hebrew concept of "hearing" (שָׁמַע, *shama'*) in the ancient Near East extended beyond mere auditory perception; it implied attentive listening with the intent to respond or act, signifying a personal and active engagement from the deity. The Psalmist's declaration that God had "attended to" his prayer would have resonated profoundly within a culture that understood divine interaction as integral to daily life and national well-being, reinforcing the belief in a God who is intimately involved with His people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 66 and the broader Psalter. Primarily, it highlights the theme of **Divine Attentiveness and Responsiveness**, asserting that God is not a distant or indifferent deity but one who actively listens and engages with the cries of His people, a truth echoed in passages like [Jeremiah 29:12](/jeremiah/29-12 "Jeremiah 29:12 - Call Upon Me and I Will Listen"). It also underscores the **Power and Efficacy of Prayer**, demonstrating that sincere, heartfelt petitions offered from a pure heart are indeed heard and answered by God, reinforcing the promises found in [Matthew 7:7-8](/matthew/7-7-8 "Matthew 7:7-8 - Ask, Seek, Knock"). Furthermore, the verse serves as a **Personal Testimony of God's Faithfulness**, providing concrete evidence of God's unchanging character and His commitment to His covenant promises. This personal experience then becomes a source of profound encouragement and conviction for the wider community, inviting others to trust in the Lord's unfailing goodness and His readiness to hear their pleas, as seen throughout the narratives of God's people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heard (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** This Hebrew verb (H8085) is rich in semantic range, extending beyond simple auditory perception. It implies listening with understanding, attention, and, crucially, the intent to respond or act. When God "hears" a prayer, it signifies His active engagement with the petitioner's plea, acknowledging it and preparing to intervene. It is a relational term, indicating a divine receptiveness to human communication and a readiness to engage with the suppliant.
* **Attended to (Hebrew, _qâshab'_):** This verb (H7181) intensifies the meaning of *shama'*. It conveys a focused, diligent, and intentional listening, often depicted as inclining or bending the ear. It suggests a deep consideration and earnest heeding of the "voice of my prayer," implying that God not only registered the sound but paid close, careful attention to the content, the underlying emotion, and the heart behind the petition, demonstrating profound interest and care.
* **Prayer (Hebrew, _tᵉphillâh'_):** This noun (H8605) refers to an act of intercession or supplication, often implying a hymn or a formal petition. In this context, "my prayer" emphasizes the personal and specific nature of the Psalmist's communication with God. It denotes a deliberate, conscious act of addressing the divine, highlighting the intentionality and earnestness of the Psalmist's communion, not merely a casual thought but a structured and heartfelt appeal.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[But] verily God hath heard [me];":** The introductory "But verily" (אַכֵּן, *'aken*, H403) serves as a strong affirmation or emphatic declaration, underscoring the absolute certainty and truth of the statement that follows. It transitions from the conditional statement of the previous verse ([Psalms 66:18](/Psalms/66-18 "Psalm 66:18 - Condition for Heard Prayer")) to a confident assertion. The Psalmist declares with unwavering conviction that God has indeed listened to his specific prayer, implying a personal, direct, and favorable divine encounter, confirming God's active engagement.
* **"he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.":** This second clause powerfully reinforces and elaborates on the first, employing a profound synonymous parallelism. "Attended to" deepens the concept of "heard," indicating God's focused, diligent, and intentional consideration of the petition. "The voice of my prayer" emphasizes the direct, earnest, and perhaps audible nature of the Psalmist's supplication, confirming that God engaged with the very essence and expression of his heartfelt plea, demonstrating His intimate involvement.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 66:19 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message of divine responsiveness. The most prominent is **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second clause ("he hath attended to the voice of my prayer") reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first clause ("verily God hath heard me"). This repetition with variation serves to emphasize the certainty, depth, and intentionality of God's attentiveness. The use of the emphatic particle **"verily"** (אַכֵּן, *'aken*) at the beginning of the verse acts as a strong **Affirmation**, lending an air of absolute conviction and truth to the Psalmist's declaration, transitioning from a conditional statement to a confident reality. Furthermore, the verse functions as a powerful **Personal Testimony**, transforming a theological truth about God's character into a lived, verifiable experience, which is a common rhetorical strategy in the Psalms to encourage communal faith and trust. The phrase "voice of my prayer" also uses **Metonymy**, where "voice" stands in for the entire act and content of the prayer itself, highlighting its earnest, direct, and perhaps vocal nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 66:19 stands as a cornerstone for understanding the nature of God's interaction with humanity, particularly through the avenue of prayer. It powerfully affirms God's active and personal involvement in the lives of His people, demonstrating that He is not a distant or indifferent deity but one who bends His ear to hear the cries of His children. This verse underscores the profound truth that genuine, heartfelt prayer, offered from a heart free of cherished iniquity (as implied by the preceding verse), elicits a divine response. It is a testament to God's faithfulness and His covenantal commitment to those who seek Him diligently, fostering confidence and encouraging a life of continuous communion with the Creator. The Psalmist's personal experience becomes a universal truth, inviting all believers to approach God with assurance, knowing He is attentive and responsive.

* [1 John 5:14](/1_john/5-14 "1 John 5:14 - Confidence in Prayer According to His Will")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6-7 "Philippians 4:6-7 - Do Not Be Anxious, Pray with Thanksgiving")
* [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "James 5:16 - The Effective Prayer of a Righteous Person")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 66:19 offers immense encouragement and practical guidance for contemporary believers, serving as a powerful reminder that prayer is not a monologue into an empty void, but a dynamic, living dialogue with an attentive and engaged God. This verse invites us to cultivate a profound confidence in God's willingness to hear us, regardless of our circumstances, knowing that He not only hears but *attends* to our petitions. It challenges us to examine our hearts, as the preceding verse suggests, ensuring that no unconfessed sin or cherished iniquity hinders our communion with Him, for a heart that delights in God's ways is one He delights to hear. When we approach God with sincerity, humility, and a genuine desire for righteousness, we can be assured that He engages with our deepest concerns. This truth should inspire us to pray more fervently, to live with greater integrity, and to offer abundant thanksgiving for the countless times God has heard and responded to our cries, building a robust testimony of His faithfulness in our own lives and fostering a deeper, more intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways has God "heard" and "attended to" your prayers in your own life, providing tangible evidence of His faithfulness?**
* **How does the condition mentioned in [Psalms 66:18](/Psalms/66-18 "Psalm 66:18 - If I Regard Iniquity") ("If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me") challenge or encourage your current approach to prayer and personal holiness?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a heart that is more attuned to God's will and free from hindering iniquity, thereby enhancing the efficacy and intimacy of your prayer life?**

### FAQ
**Does God always hear our prayers, even if we are struggling with sin?**

Answer: Psalms 66:19, especially in light of the preceding verse, [Psalms 66:18](/Psalms/66-18 "Psalm 66:18 - Condition for Heard Prayer"), suggests a nuanced understanding. While God is omniscient and aware of every word and thought, the concept of "hearing" in this context implies listening with the intent to respond favorably or act on behalf of the petitioner. [Psalms 66:18](/Psalms/66-18 "Psalm 66:18 - If I Regard Iniquity") states, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." This indicates that cherished, unconfessed, or unrepented sin can indeed hinder our fellowship with God and prevent our prayers from being answered in the way we desire. It's not that God literally can't hear the sound, but that He will not respond with favor or intervene on behalf of someone who is intentionally holding onto sin. However, God always hears prayers of confession and repentance, as seen in [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness"), where He promises to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. So, while willful sin can impede effective prayer, a humble and repentant heart will always find God's ear and His grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 66:19 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is not only the perfect embodiment of the one whose prayers are always heard but also the very means by which our prayers are heard. The Psalmist's personal testimony of God hearing his prayer foreshadows the perfect prayer life of Jesus, who always did what pleased the Father ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Pleases the Father")) and whose every petition was heard ([John 11:41-42](/john/11-41-42 "John 11:41-42 - Jesus' Prayer at Lazarus' Tomb")). More significantly, Christ, as our Great High Priest, stands as the mediator through whom we can now boldly approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that our prayers are presented to the Father through Him ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14-16 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")). The condition of a pure heart from [Psalms 66:18](/Psalms/66-18 "Psalm 66:18 - Condition for Heard Prayer") is met in us not by our own perfect righteousness, which is impossible, but by the righteousness of Christ imputed to us through faith ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Therefore, when we pray "in Jesus' name," we are invoking His authority, His merit, and His perfect standing before God, ensuring that our prayers, though imperfect, are heard and attended to by the Father for His glory and our good, as He promised in [John 14:13-14](/john/14-13-14 "John 14:13-14 - Ask in Jesus' Name").

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 116:1

¶ I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice [and] my supplications.

Psalms 116:2

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

Hebrews 5:7

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Lamentations 3:55

¶ I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon.

Lamentations 3:56

Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.

Psalms 34:6

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard [him], and saved him out of all his troubles.

1 John 3:20

¶ For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.