Psalm 140 6

Psalm 140:6 kjv

I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

Psalm 140:6 nkjv

I said to the LORD: "You are my God; Hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

Psalm 140:6 niv

I say to the LORD, "You are my God." Hear, LORD, my cry for mercy.

Psalm 140:6 esv

I say to the LORD, You are my God; give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O LORD!

Psalm 140:6 nlt

I said to the LORD, "You are my God!"
Listen, O LORD, to my cries for mercy!

Psalm 140 verses

Psalm 140 6 Meaning

In Psalm 140:6, the psalmist, facing severe threats from wicked adversaries, shifts his focus from detailing his enemies' plots to declaring his profound faith and dependence upon God. This verse articulates a decisive statement of personal allegiance and an urgent, humble plea. It is a declaration, "I said to the LORD, Thou art my God," which grounds his subsequent prayer, "hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD." The psalmist affirms an intimate relationship with the Almighty God (Yahweh) and confidently appeals to Him for intervention and deliverance based on that relationship.

Psalm 140 6 Context

Psalm 140 is a fervent prayer of a righteous individual, widely attributed to King David, who is suffering under the malicious schemes and verbal attacks of "evil men" and "violent men" (Ps 140:1). Before verse 6, the psalmist vividly describes his enemies: their harmful intentions (vv. 1-2), their deceitful tongues, venomous speech (v. 3), their pride and cunning traps (vv. 4-5). This sets the stage for the dramatic turn in verse 6, where the psalmist ceases describing his predicament and, in a profound act of faith, addresses God directly. This pivot reflects a common pattern in lament psalms, where complaint gives way to a confident declaration of trust and an earnest appeal for divine intervention. Historically, David frequently faced such opposition, from King Saul's pursuit to later betrayals, making such prayers highly relevant to his life experiences.

Psalm 140 6 Word analysis

• I said unto the LORD (אָמַרְתִּ֤י לַֽיהוָה֙ - Amarti la-Yahweh):

  • Amarti (אָמַרְתִּי): Hebrew, meaning "I said," "I declared," or "I determined." This is a definitive and personal declaration, not merely a thought or wish, but a verbalized, settled conviction. It indicates an active commitment of faith.
  • La-Yahweh (לַֽיהוָה): "To the LORD." Yahweh is God's personal covenant name, revealing His faithfulness and self-existent nature. Addressing Him by this name emphasizes reliance on His covenant promises and character, distinguishing Him from any false deity or human power.

• Thou art my God (אֵלִ֣י אָ֑תָּה - Eli Attah):

  • Eli (אֵלִי): "My God." El (אֵל) is a general term for God, signifying power, strength, and supremacy. The suffix "i" makes it possessive ("my"), indicating a deeply personal and exclusive relationship. This is not just recognizing God's existence, but asserting Him as my ultimate authority, provider, and deliverer.
  • Attah (אָ֑תָּה): "You (are)." A second-person masculine singular pronoun, it directly emphasizes God's personal identity as the recipient of the declaration.

• Hear the voice (הַאֲזִ֥ינָה ק֝֗וֹל - Ha'azinah qol):

  • Ha'azinah (הַאֲזִ֥ינָה): Hebrew, an imperative verb meaning "listen intently," "incline ear," or "pay close attention." It's stronger than a simple "hear," conveying an earnest, urgent request for attentive, responsive listening.
  • Qol (ק֝֗וֹל): "Voice" or "sound." Refers to the audible expression of the psalmist's plea.

• of my supplications, O LORD (תַּחֲנוֹתָֽי׃ יְהוָה - Tachannotay Yahweh):

  • Tachannotay (תַּחֲנוֹתָֽי): Hebrew, "my supplications," "my gracious pleas," or "my prayers for favor." The word comes from the root chanan (חָנַן), meaning "to show favor, be gracious." It implies humility, recognizing that any response from God would be an act of undeserved grace. The plural indicates multiple aspects or intensities of his desperate need.
  • Yahweh (יְהוָה): Again, the covenant name, "the LORD." Its repetition bookends the prayer, reaffirming to whom the psalmist directs his pleas.

Words-group analysis:

• "I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God": This phrase is the cornerstone of the verse. It's a statement of radical trust and allegiance that precedes and grounds the petition. Amidst life's battles, it declares identity, not just in suffering, but in a secure relationship with the Divine. This is a personal covenant reaffirmation, asserting an exclusive relationship with Yahweh against any worldly power or opposing force. It lays the theological foundation for the appeal that follows; God's identity as "my God" means He is bound by covenant and character to act on behalf of His chosen ones. This implicit "polemic" is against any thought of trusting in oneself, human helpers, or other deities in distress, positioning Yahweh as the sole and sovereign object of trust.
• "hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD": This forms the direct plea. Having established the foundational relationship, the psalmist then presents his urgent, humble request. It is a plea for active and gracious hearing, not just a passive acknowledgment. The "voice of my supplications" conveys the earnest, vocal nature of his prayer, indicating a cry arising from deep distress yet expressed within the framework of trust. The repetition of "O LORD" acts as both a vocative of appeal and a powerful concluding affirmation of the addressed deity.

Psalm 140 6 Bonus section

The deliberate verbalization "I said" (Amarti) is significant. It implies a conscious, intentional, and perhaps public or semi-public confession of faith, not merely a silent thought. This vocalization strengthens the psalmist's own faith even as it directs his plea heavenward. In many lament psalms, there's a movement from describing distress to articulating trust; Psalm 140:6 is a clear turning point, demonstrating that despite the raging storm, the psalmist's spiritual compass firmly points to Yahweh, his personal God. The repetition of "LORD" (Yahweh) frames the verse, emphasizing that both the declaration of trust and the petition for hearing are directed exclusively to the covenant God of Israel. This acts as a concise and potent theological framework for the entire prayer, asserting divine identity and authority in a context of deep personal need.

Psalm 140 6 Commentary

Psalm 140:6 serves as a powerful testament to the psalmist's unyielding faith amidst severe trials. After detailing the malevolence of his enemies, David does not despair or scheme but turns directly to God, making a profound declaration. The phrase "I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God" is an act of spiritual anchoring. It’s a deliberate, personal confession of identity and allegiance, reminding himself and God of their intimate, covenant relationship. This is not merely an intellectual acknowledgment of God's existence but an heartfelt, vocal affirmation of dependence on the One who is truly his protector and source of strength. This foundational declaration empowers his subsequent plea. "Hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD" is then presented not as a demand, but as a humble, urgent request rooted in the confidence that his God will indeed listen attentively and respond graciously to prayers offered in faith. It embodies the essence of prayer: confessing God's nature and your relationship with Him before presenting your needs.

Examples for practical usage:

• When facing immense pressure or opposition at work, first declare: "Lord, You are my God. You are sovereign over this situation." Then, "Hear my plea for wisdom and peace."
• In times of illness, instead of focusing on symptoms, affirm: "My God, You are my Healer." Then, "Hear my cries for restoration."
• When overwhelmed by fear or anxiety, declare: "LORD, You are my Refuge and Strength." Then, "Hear my heart as I seek Your calming presence."