King James Version

What Does Psalms 10:17 Mean?

Psalms 10:17 in the King James Version says “LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: prepar...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: prepare: or, establish”

Psalms 10:17 · KJV

Context

15

Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.

16

The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.

17

LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: prepare: or, establish

18

To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress. oppress: or, terrify

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear. As the psalm moves toward conclusion, David affirms with confidence that God has heard the prayers of the oppressed. This verse balances the opening question (verse 1) with confident assurance. God may seem distant, but He hears and will act. The verse addresses both divine response and divine preparation.

"LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble" (ta'avat anavim shamata Yahweh, תַּאֲוַת עֲנָוִים שָׁמַעְתָּ יְהוָה) employs the perfect tense—God has heard. Ta'avah means desire, longing, or request. Anavim (humble, meek, afflicted) describes those who are lowly and dependent on God—not proud or self-sufficient. Shama means to hear with attention and intent to respond. God has already heard; the answer is assured even if not yet experienced.

"Thou wilt prepare their heart" (takhin libbam, תָּכִין לִבָּם) uses kun (to establish, prepare, make firm, make ready). God prepares the heart of the humble to receive His answer. This may include strengthening their faith, purifying their motives, or readying them for what He will do. The same word appears in 9:7 describing God preparing His throne for judgment. Just as God establishes His throne, He establishes the hearts of His people. Prayer is not one-directional—God not only hears our prayers but prepares us through the process of praying.

"Thou wilt cause thine ear to hear" (taqshiv oznekha, תַּקְשִׁיב אָזְנֶךָ) intensifies the assurance. Qashav means to prick up the ears, to listen attentively. God's "ear" represents His attentive responsiveness. The future tense indicates continuing divine attention—God will keep listening. This anthropomorphic language portrays God as leaning in, listening carefully, missing nothing of His people's cries.

The verse creates a beautiful theology of prayer: God hears the humble's desire, prepares their hearts, and attentively listens. Prayer is thus dialogical—we speak, God hears; God prepares us, we become ready to receive; we continue to cry out, God continues to listen. The verse assures suffering believers that their prayers are not ignored.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The theme of God hearing prayer runs throughout Scripture. When Israel groaned under Egyptian bondage, "God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant" (Exodus 2:24). Repeatedly in Judges, when Israel cried out, God raised up deliverers (Judges 3:9, 15; 4:3; 6:6-7). Hannah's prayer was heard (1 Samuel 1:19-20). Hezekiah's prayer was heard (2 Kings 20:5). Daniel's prayer was heard (Daniel 9:23, 10:12).

The concept of God preparing the human heart appears in various forms. Ezra testified: "I set my face unto the LORD God... and he granted me according to the hand of the LORD my God upon me" (Ezra 7:27-28, Nehemiah 2:8). Paul wrote that "God, who worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). God's preparation of our hearts enables us to desire rightly and receive gratefully what He gives.

Jesus later taught: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matthew 7:7). James warned that asking must be with right motives (James 4:3). The consistent biblical teaching is that God hears genuine prayer offered in faith and humility, and He works in both the asking and the answering.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the assurance that God 'has heard' change your experience of waiting for answered prayer?
  2. What does it mean that God 'prepares' the hearts of the humble, and why is this preparation necessary?
  3. How is prayer transformative for the one praying, not just instrumental in obtaining answers?
  4. What characterizes the 'humble' whose prayers God hears, as distinct from the proud who do not seek Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
תַּאֲוַ֬ת1 of 8

“the desire”

H8378

a longing; by implication, a delight (subjectively, satisfaction, objectively, a charm)

עֲנָוִ֣ים2 of 8

“of the humble”

H6035

depressed (figuratively), in mind (gentle) or circumstances (needy, especially saintly)

שָׁמַ֣עְתָּ3 of 8

“thou hast heard”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

יְהוָ֑ה4 of 8

“LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

תָּכִ֥ין5 of 8

“thou wilt prepare”

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

לִ֝בָּ֗ם6 of 8

“their heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

תַּקְשִׁ֥יב7 of 8

“to hear”

H7181

to prick up the ears, i.e., hearken

אָזְנֶֽךָ׃8 of 8

“thou wilt cause thine ear”

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 10:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 10:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 145:192 Chronicles 34:27Psalms 34:151 Peter 3:12Isaiah 65:24Psalms 37:4

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