Psalm 86 6

Psalm 86:6 kjv

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

Psalm 86:6 nkjv

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

Psalm 86:6 niv

Hear my prayer, LORD; listen to my cry for mercy.

Psalm 86:6 esv

Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.

Psalm 86:6 nlt

Listen closely to my prayer, O LORD;
hear my urgent cry.

Psalm 86 verses

Psalm 86 6 Meaning

Psalm 86:6 is an urgent and intimate plea from the psalmist to God. It expresses a fervent desire for God, the sovereign Lord, to not only hear his prayer but to actively "give ear"—meaning to incline, bend down, and listen attentively—and to "attend to"—to pay careful, intentional heed to—his deeply felt supplications for mercy and grace. It underscores a profound trust in God's willingness to respond personally to the cries of His servant.

Psalm 86 6 Context

Psalm 86 is identified as a "Prayer of David," portraying a king humbled and vulnerable, crying out to God from a position of distress and dependence. The psalm weaves together elements of lament, confession, praise, and petition. David pleads for divine intervention against his adversaries, for sustenance in his weakness, and for divine guidance and revelation. Verse 6, specifically, acts as an earnest invocation within this larger plea, laying the foundation for his requests by appealing to God's fundamental readiness and ability to hear and respond to prayer. This appeal is rooted in David's profound faith in the singular, sovereign character of YHWH, in stark contrast to lifeless idols worshipped by surrounding nations. The overall context is one of profound trust in God's goodness, steadfast love, and readiness to forgive and hear the cries of His servant.

Psalm 86 6 Word analysis

• Give ear: הַטָּ֥ה (haṭṭāh)

  • This is an imperative verb, a direct command or earnest request to God.
  • From the root natah, meaning "to stretch out," "incline," or "bend down."
  • It implies more than simply hearing; it suggests God actively leaning in, paying close attention, or even condescending to hear the speaker's plight.
  • Signifies a personal and deliberate act of listening, showing a divine willingness to engage.

• O LORD: יְהֹוָ֥ה (YHWH)

  • Refers to the covenant name of God.
  • It emphasizes God's self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness to His covenant promises.
  • Using YHWH in a prayer underscores the psalmist's appeal to God's character as the God who has revealed Himself, who is personal and relational.
  • It highlights the unique and true God, distinct from any false deities.

• to my prayer: תְפִלָּתִ֑י (ṯəp̄illāṯî)

  • From palal, meaning "to intervene," "mediate," or "judge." In this context, it means "prayer" or "intercession."
  • It speaks of a petition offered with specific intention, often involving a personal plea for help or divine intervention.
  • The possessive suffix "-my" indicates a deeply personal and intimate communication.

• and attend: וְהַקְשִׁ֥יבָה (wəhaqšîḇāh)

  • Another imperative verb, reinforcing the previous command/request.
  • From the root qashav, meaning "to listen attentively," "heed," or "give ear to with understanding."
  • It denotes active, discerning listening that aims to comprehend and respond, going beyond mere audibility.
  • The wə (and) connects it as a parallel, intensified plea to "give ear."

• to the voice: ק֖וֹל (qôl)

  • Refers to a "sound," "voice," or "utterance."
  • It indicates that the prayer is not merely internal thought but expressed, perhaps with earnest cries, whether audible or deeply felt from the heart.
  • Implies the direct and discernible communication that the psalmist wants God to respond to.

• of my supplications: תַּחֲנוּנוֹתָֽי (taḥănūnōṯay)

  • Plural noun, derived from chanan, meaning "to be gracious," "show favor," "implore."
  • Signifies a plea for grace, favor, and mercy, typically born out of humility and a recognition of one's need and dependence.
  • These are petitions for undeserved favor, acknowledging that the request relies solely on God's benevolence rather than the petitioner's merit.
  • The plural form emphasizes the multitude or intensity of such pleas.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Give ear... and attend": These two phrases form a powerful parallel, intensifying the psalmist's earnest appeal for God's concentrated and responsive attention. They signify a posture of divine receptiveness—not just to hear sounds but to deeply heed and consider.
  • "O LORD, to my prayer": This pairing highlights the specific target of the petition (YHWH) and the deeply personal nature of the communication. It grounds the prayer in God's covenant relationship and His personal interest in His people.
  • "the voice of my supplications": This emphasizes the intense, possibly even audible or profoundly emotional, nature of the psalmist's cries for mercy. It implies a plea that comes from a place of desperation and profound need, seeking grace rather than entitlement. The combination of "voice" and "supplications" conveys both clarity of expression and reliance on divine mercy.

Psalm 86 6 Bonus section

• The repetitive structure, common in Hebrew poetry (synonymous parallelism), by using both "give ear" and "attend" strengthens the urgency and sincerity of the plea. It's a cumulative cry, layering one request upon another for emphasis.
• This verse stands as an implicit polemic against pagan beliefs where idols were often depicted with ears but were inert and unable to respond. David's address to YHWH is a clear affirmation of God's living, active, and personal involvement in the affairs of His people.
• Though spoken by a king, the words reflect a posture of complete reliance and humility, emphasizing that even those in positions of power must humble themselves before God to receive His aid. The king places himself not on his throne, but on his knees.
• The phrase "the voice of my supplications" suggests the deep anguish or fervent yearning that underpins the prayer, transcending mere articulation to express the heart's true cry for grace.

Psalm 86 6 Commentary

Psalm 86:6 is a quintessential prayer for divine audience. The psalmist does not assume God's listening; rather, he fervently implores it using active and potent verbs: "Give ear" (inclining) and "attend" (heeding attentively). This urgency arises from the psalmist's distress, requiring a deliberate and compassionate response from YHWH, the personal and covenant-keeping God. By calling on God's special name (YHWH), the psalmist appeals to His nature as the faithful and gracious God who is distinct from powerless idols. The request for attention to "my prayer" and "the voice of my supplications" conveys the intensely personal and humble nature of the plea, acknowledging dependence on God's undeserved favor (mercy). It expresses faith that God not only can hear but desires to engage with and respond to the earnest cries of His servant. This verse serves as a model for how believers should approach God in prayer—with earnestness, humility, and trust in His character and responsiveness, recognizing that true prayer is a pouring out of one's deepest needs to a God who actively listens and acts in grace.