Psalms 5:1

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

To the chief Musician {H5329} upon Nehiloth {H5155}, A Psalm {H4210} of David {H1732}. Give ear {H238} to my words {H561}, O LORD {H3068}, consider {H995} my meditation {H1901}.

For the leader. On wind instruments. A psalm of David: Give ear to my words, ADONAI, consider my inmost thoughts.

Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.

Give ear to my words, O Jehovah, Consider my meditation.

Commentary

Psalm 5:1 opens a heartfelt prayer from King David, setting the tone for a psalm filled with appeals for divine attention and justice. This verse immediately establishes a deep, personal connection between the petitioner and God, emphasizing David's reliance on the Almighty in times of distress.

Context

The first part of the verse, "¶ To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David," serves as a superscription, providing crucial information about the psalm's origin and intended use. "To the chief Musician" indicates that this psalm was designed for public worship and musical performance, likely by a professional choir director. The term "upon Nehiloth" is a musical direction, generally understood to refer to wind instruments, possibly flutes, suggesting the type of accompaniment for this particular song.

Attributed to "A Psalm of David," this passage reflects the personal experiences and spiritual insights of the beloved king. Like many of David's psalms, it expresses his earnest cries to God, often amidst external threats or internal struggles. The psalm that follows this opening verse details David's plea for God's intervention against his enemies and his trust in divine righteousness.

Key Themes

  • Earnest Petition: David's opening words, "Give ear to my words, O LORD," are a direct and urgent plea for God to listen intently. It signifies a profound need for divine attention and a recognition that only God can truly hear and respond to his innermost thoughts.
  • Intimate Communication: The phrase "consider my meditation" reveals the depth of David's prayer. It's not just about spoken words but also the silent, often unspoken, wrestling of his soul. This highlights the intimate nature of prayer, where God is invited into our deepest reflections.
  • Divine Attentiveness: The verse underscores the theological truth that God is not distant or indifferent but is actively attentive to the prayers and thoughts of His people. It expresses confidence in God's willingness to engage with human pleas.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used in this verse convey significant meaning:

  • "Give ear" (Hebrew: ha'azinah) means to listen intently, to perceive with understanding, or to pay close attention. It's more than a casual hearing; it implies a deep engagement with what is being said.
  • "Consider" (Hebrew: binah) means to understand, discern, or ponder. David is asking God not just to hear his words, but to grasp the full weight and meaning of his thoughts and unspoken concerns.
  • "Meditation" (Hebrew: hagig) refers to a deep thought, a sighing, a murmur, or even a groan. It suggests a profound inner reflection or a burden that might be too deep for words, akin to the Spirit's intercession with unutterable groans mentioned in the New Testament.

Practical Application

Psalm 5:1 offers a timeless model for prayer and encourages believers today:

  • Bring Your Whole Self to God: David teaches us to bring not only our spoken requests but also our deepest thoughts, anxieties, and unspoken burdens before the Lord. God cares about our "meditation" as much as our words.
  • Pray with Expectation: David's plea, "Give ear... consider," demonstrates a confident expectation that God hears and actively engages with our prayers. This confidence allows us to approach God boldly, knowing He is attentive to our cries.
  • God Hears Earnest Prayer: This verse reassures us that God is not deaf to our pleas. Just as He promised to listen when we call upon Him, He bends His ear to our words and considers our deepest meditations, offering comfort and guidance in times of need.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 John 5:14 (13 votes)

    ¶ And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

  • 1 John 5:15 (13 votes)

    And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

  • Psalms 54:2 (10 votes)

    Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.

  • Psalms 19:14 (8 votes)

    Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

  • Psalms 55:1 (8 votes)

    ¶ 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 (8 votes)

    Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;

  • 1 Peter 3:12 (8 votes)

    For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil.