Psalm 5 2

Psalm 5:2 kjv

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

Psalm 5:2 nkjv

Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray.

Psalm 5:2 niv

Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.

Psalm 5:2 esv

Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.

Psalm 5:2 nlt

Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,
for I pray to no one but you.

Psalm 5 verses

Psalm 5 2 Meaning

Psalm 5:2 is an earnest plea from the psalmist, David, directly addressing God. It is an intense appeal for divine attention and intervention, characterized by the urgency of a "cry." The psalmist explicitly acknowledges God's supreme authority as "my King" and deeply personal relationship as "my God," affirming that all his supplication is directed solely to Him. The verse underscores a deep dependency on God and the conviction that He is the only One who can hear and respond to such a desperate, heartfelt prayer.

Psalm 5 2 Context

Psalm 5 is a morning prayer, a lament from David. The preceding verses (v. 1-2 in some translations, v. 1 ESV/NIV) establish a pattern of the psalmist calling upon God and seeking His ear. This verse specifically introduces the depth and personal nature of that call. The psalm reflects David's personal distress, likely surrounded by wicked enemies, and his plea for divine protection and justice. It portrays a deep contrast between the righteous who rely on God and the wicked who cannot stand in His presence. The immediate context of verse 2 is the opening of David's desperate petition, where he immediately affirms the divine authority and intimate relationship with God before presenting his woes and requests in the subsequent verses. This immediate affirmation of God's Kingship and personal Godship is foundational to David's confidence in prayer despite his circumstances.

Psalm 5 2 Word analysis

• Hearken (KJV: "Hearken"): The Hebrew word is 'azan (אָזַן, H5267), meaning "to give ear," "to listen attentively," or "to hearken." This is not a casual hearing but implies active attention and consideration. It emphasizes a listening that leads to understanding and action, going beyond merely perceiving sound.
• unto the voice: The Hebrew qol (קוֹל, H6963) refers to a "voice" or "sound." In context, it refers to the audibility of the psalmist's utterance. The phrasing "unto the voice of my cry" highlights that David expects God not just to discern his internal thoughts but to acknowledge his outward expression of anguish.
• of my cry: The word rinnah (רִנָּה, H7654) signifies a "ringing cry," often a shout of joy, but equally, a shout of lament or supplication due to distress. In Psalm 5:2, it denotes an earnest, loud, and passionate vocal outpouring stemming from deep emotional need and desperation. It underscores the urgency and intensity of the prayer, far beyond a quiet meditation.
• my King: The Hebrew melek (מֶלֶךְ, H4428) means "king." Addressing God as "my King" highlights His ultimate sovereignty, authority, and absolute rule over all creation, including the psalmist's life. It signifies allegiance, submission, and recognition of God as the supreme ruler who has the power to command and intervene in affairs. This title implies trust in His royal prerogative and ability to protect and administer justice.
• and my God: The Hebrew 'Elohim (אֱלֹהִים, H430) refers to God as the Creator, the ultimate divine being. The possessive "my God" personalizes this relationship. It speaks of an intimate, covenantal bond where God is not merely a distant deity but one who has entered into a personal, binding relationship with the psalmist, akin to the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This personalization is foundational to the confidence in prayer.
• for unto thee: This prepositional phrase emphasizes exclusivity and singular direction. "Unto thee" (אֵלֶיךָ, 'eleyka) signifies that the psalmist's prayer is directed to God alone, not to any other deity or source of power. It's an affirmation of monotheistic faith and singular reliance.
• will I pray: The Hebrew verb is palal (פָּלַל, H6419), which means "to intervene," "to interpose," or "to pray" in the sense of engaging in active supplication. It indicates the psalmist's commitment and act of formal petition, expecting a direct interaction and response from the divine. This verb encapsulates the entire process of addressing God with intent and expectation.

Psalm 5 2 Bonus section

The structure of ancient Near Eastern laments often began with an invocation of the deity, declaring trust and relationship before presenting the petition. Psalm 5:2 fits this pattern perfectly, quickly establishing the "who" (God) and the "how" (earnest crying) of the prayer, providing immediate access to the heart of the supplicant's devotion and distress. The emphasis on "my King, and my God" subtly counters any notion of a distant, indifferent deity or the false, powerless gods worshipped by surrounding nations. Unlike pagan gods, who were capricious and needed appeasement through elaborate rituals, the God of Israel is presented as one who enters a personal relationship ("my God") and is inherently attentive to the genuine, heartfelt cry of His people (implied in "Hearken unto the voice of my cry"). This verse, therefore, serves as both a fervent personal petition and a quiet theological statement affirming Yahweh's unique nature and accessibility. It's a reminder that true prayer is not just words but a voice arising from a relationship.

Psalm 5 2 Commentary

Psalm 5:2 sets the tone for the entire psalm as an urgent, deeply personal plea to the Almighty. The psalmist doesn't merely ask God to listen; he commands or strongly urges God to "Hearken," emphasizing the necessity of attentive and responsive listening from the divine. The description of his prayer as "the voice of my cry" highlights the intensity and anguish, not a calm petition but an emotional outpouring born from distress. This cry is directed to God in His dual yet unified role as "my King" and "my God." "My King" speaks to His sovereign power and absolute authority, indicating that God is fully capable of governing and delivering. "My God" reflects a covenantal and deeply personal relationship, signifying that the powerful, sovereign ruler is also intimately connected to the petitioner, hearing and caring for him. The phrase "for unto thee will I pray" serves as a foundational declaration: despite his struggles, the psalmist's faith is unwavering, knowing that ultimate help and solace come solely from the One True God. It's an act of worshipful dependence, laying everything before the only rightful hearer of prayers. Practically, it encourages believers today to bring their deepest distress, even cries, to God with the understanding of His sovereignty and His personal commitment to His people.