Psalm 5 1

Psalm 5:1 kjv

Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.

Psalm 5:1 nkjv

To the Chief Musician. With flutes. A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD, Consider my meditation.

Psalm 5:1 niv

For the director of music. For pipes. A psalm of David. Listen to my words, LORD, consider my lament.

Psalm 5:1 esv

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

Psalm 5:1 nlt

O LORD, hear me as I pray;
pay attention to my groaning.

Psalm 5 verses

Psalm 5 1 Meaning

Psalm 5:1 is a heartfelt plea from the psalmist to God, seeking divine attention and understanding. It expresses an earnest desire for the Most High to actively listen to both the articulated prayers and the deepest, unspoken groanings of the heart. The verse sets the tone for the entire psalm as an urgent appeal for God's personal engagement with the supplicant's distressed state.

Psalm 5 1 Context

Psalm 5 is a morning prayer, indicated by verses like "In the morning I will direct it to You" (Psa 5:3). It is attributed to David, reflecting his reliance on God in times of trouble. The psalmist expresses deep distress over wicked adversaries and seeks God's protection and judgment. This specific verse (Ps 5:1) functions as the earnest opening, immediately establishing the intimate and urgent nature of the prayer. The psalmist feels surrounded by injustice and deception, underscoring the vital need for God's immediate and attentive hearing.

Psalm 5 1 Word analysis

• To the Chief Musician. On Nehiloth. A Psalm of David.: This superscription is an editorial note indicating the psalm's purpose. "To the Chief Musician" (לַמְנַצֵּחַ, lamnatseach) implies direction for the leader of worship, perhaps indicating it was set to music for congregational use. "On Nehiloth" (אֶל-הַנְּחִילֹות, 'el ha-Nehiloth) likely refers to a type of wind instrument, possibly flutes, suggesting a meditative or mournful style of music. "A Psalm of David" (מִזְמֹור לְדָוִד, mizmor le-Dawid) attributes the composition to King David, signifying its royal and devotional origin.
• Give ear: (הַאֲזִינָה, ha'azinah) From the root אָזַן (azan), meaning "to give ear," "to listen attentively," "to weigh," or "to discern." It is a strong imperative, implying a posture of leaning in or bending down to hear. It's more profound than a simple hearing, conveying focused attention.
• to my words: (אֲמָרַי, amaray) Plural of אֵמֶר (emer), referring to spoken utterances, sayings, or declarations. It represents the articulate part of the prayer, the conscious verbal requests.
• O LORD: (יְהוָה, YHWH) The sacred, ineffable covenant name of God, revealing Him as the eternally existing, self-revealing, and covenant-keeping God. Its use emphasizes the psalmist's personal relationship and trust in God's faithfulness.
• Consider: (בִּינָה, binah) From the root בִּין (bin), meaning "to understand," "to discern," "to perceive with insight," or "to distinguish." It signifies not merely hearing sound but comprehending the meaning, intent, and depth behind the words.
• my meditation: (הֲגִיגִי, haggigi) From the root הָגָה (hagah), meaning "to meditate," "to groan," "to mutter," "to ponder," or "to sigh." This term encompasses unarticulated thoughts, the inner groanings, murmurs of the heart, or deep spiritual anxieties that may not be put into precise words.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Give ear to my words, O LORD": This is an immediate and direct appeal. The psalmist requests active, attentive hearing from God for his spoken prayers. It indicates an expectation that God is not only present but will engage with what is being expressed verbally. The use of YHWH heightens the intimacy and the basis for such a plea—the covenant relationship.
• "Consider my meditation": This expands the scope of the plea. Beyond the explicit words, the psalmist desires God to delve into and comprehend his deepest thoughts, sighs, or unexpressed burdens. This signifies a prayer that comes from the innermost being, where true pain or longing resides even when words fail. It shows a profound belief in God's ability to know the human heart.

Psalm 5 1 Bonus section

The anthropomorphic language ("Give ear," "Consider") emphasizes God's empathetic closeness and accessibility, illustrating the Psalmist's conviction that God can truly relate to human experience. This opening request forms the foundation for all subsequent pleas in the psalm, indicating that true prayer begins with a confident expectation of divine attention and comprehension of the heart's deepest movements, whether voiced or silent. It underlines the belief that no aspect of the supplicant's inner life is hidden from God.

Psalm 5 1 Commentary

Psalm 5:1 establishes a deeply personal and urgent tone for the entire prayer. The psalmist appeals to God, not as a distant deity, but as YHWH, the covenant Lord, requesting a profound level of engagement with his plea. The request "Give ear" is a physical posture of attention, while "Consider" speaks to divine understanding that penetrates beyond mere sound to the heart's unspoken anxieties. This verse teaches believers that genuine prayer involves not only vocal petitions but also the silent yearnings and emotional depths known only to God. It highlights the psalmist's humility and reliance on God's omniscient compassion to perceive the "groaning" that words cannot fully express.