[But] verily God hath heard [me]; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
But verily {H403} God {H430} hath heard {H8085}{H8804)} me; he hath attended {H7181}{H8689)} to the voice {H6963} of my prayer {H8605}.
But in fact, God did listen; he paid attention to my prayer.
But God has surely heard; He has attended to the sound of my prayer.
But verily God hath heard; He hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
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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.
Psalm 66:19 is a powerful declaration of faith and thanksgiving, affirming the Psalmist's personal experience of God's attentiveness to prayer. It stands as a testament to the Lord's faithfulness and responsiveness to those who call upon Him sincerely.
Context
Psalm 66 is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving, initially calling all the earth to praise God for His mighty works and deliverance of Israel (vv. 1-12). It then transitions to the Psalmist's deeply personal testimony, fulfilling vows made in distress (vv. 13-15). Verse 19 is the triumphant conclusion to this personal narrative, following the crucial preceding verse which states, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Psalm 66:18). This highlights the necessary condition of a pure heart for one's prayers to be heard.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "heard" (שָׁמַע, shama) implies more than just perceiving sound; it conveys listening with intent to act or respond. Similarly, "attended to" (קָשַׁב, qashav) suggests a focused, diligent listening, demonstrating God's deep consideration of the petitioner's plea. The phrase "voice of my prayer" emphasizes the earnest and direct nature of the communication, suggesting a fervent cry rather than a casual request.
Practical Application
Psalm 66:19 offers immense encouragement to believers today. It reminds us that God is actively engaged in our lives and that we can approach Him with confidence, knowing He listens. It reinforces the importance of heartfelt, sincere prayer, and implicitly, the need to examine our hearts, as suggested by the preceding verse. This verse invites us to cultivate a life of thanksgiving for God's constant faithfulness in hearing and answering our petitions, inspiring us to share our own testimonies of His goodness.