Psalms 86:6

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

Give ear {H238}{H8685)}, O LORD {H3068}, unto my prayer {H8605}; and attend {H7181}{H8685)} to the voice {H6963} of my supplications {H8469}.

Listen, ADONAI, to my prayer; pay attention to my pleading cry.

Hear my prayer, O LORD, and attend to my plea for mercy.

Give ear, O Jehovah, unto my prayer; And hearken unto the voice of my supplications.

Commentary

Commentary on Psalms 86:6

Psalm 86:6 is a heartfelt plea from David, emphasizing his earnest desire for God's attention and response. This verse encapsulates a foundational aspect of biblical prayer: the conviction that God hears and actively attends to the cries of His people.

Context

Psalm 86 is titled "A Prayer of David," and it is a psalm of supplication where David, likely in a time of personal distress or need, appeals to God for mercy, help, and deliverance. Throughout the psalm, David expresses his dependence on God, acknowledging God's unique character as good, forgiving, and abundant in mercy (Psalm 86:5). Verse 6 specifically highlights the intense longing for God's direct engagement with his prayers, setting the tone for the petitions that follow.

Key Themes

  • Earnestness in Prayer: The repetition of "Give ear" and "attend" underscores the deep sincerity and urgency of David's appeal. It's not a casual request but a desperate cry for divine intervention.
  • God's Attentiveness: Implicit in the prayer is the belief that God is capable of and willing to listen to His creation. David's request stems from faith in God's character as a God who hears and responds.
  • Dependence on God: By calling upon the LORD and expressing his supplications, David demonstrates his complete reliance on God as his ultimate source of help and salvation. This echoes themes found throughout David's psalms, where he frequently seeks refuge in God during times of trouble (e.g., Psalm 3:4).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used in this verse convey a powerful sense of active listening:

  • "Give ear" (Hebrew: haze'n, from the root 'azan) means literally "to incline the ear" or "to listen attentively." It implies more than just hearing sound; it suggests a deliberate act of paying close attention to understand and respond.
  • "Attend" (Hebrew: qaฬ‚shab) reinforces this idea, meaning "to hearken," "to pay attention," or "to listen closely." The parallelism emphasizes the depth of David's desire for God's full and undivided attention to his plight.
  • "Supplications" (Hebrew: tachanunim) refers to humble pleas for grace or favor, often offered from a position of weakness or need. It highlights the petitioner's dependence on the mercy of the one being addressed.

Practical Application

Psalms 86:6 serves as a timeless encouragement for believers in their own prayer lives:

  • Pray with Sincerity: This verse reminds us to approach God with genuine earnestness, pouring out our hearts to Him with sincerity and humility.
  • Trust in God's Hearing: It reinforces the comforting truth that God is not distant or indifferent. He is a God who actively listens to the prayers of His people. This confidence is a cornerstone of Christian prayer, as taught elsewhere in scripture (e.g., 1 John 5:14).
  • Persistence in Prayer: David's repeated plea encourages us to be persistent in our prayers, not giving up even when answers are not immediately apparent.

This verse beautifully captures the essence of a personal, vital relationship with God, where communication is not only possible but fervently desired by both the petitioner and the One who hears.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 5:1

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

  • Psalms 5:2

    Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.

  • Psalms 17:1

    ยถ A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, [that goeth] not out of feigned lips.

  • Psalms 130:2

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

  • Psalms 55:1

    ยถ 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.