King James Version

What Does Psalms 141:1 Mean?

Psalms 141:1 in the King James Version says “A Psalm of David. LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 141 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“A Psalm of David. LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.”

Psalms 141:1 · KJV

Context

1

A Psalm of David. LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.

2

Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. set: Heb. directed

3

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Read Psalms 141 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. This evening prayer opens with urgent petition, the psalmist crying to God for swift intervention. "LORD, I cry unto thee" (יְהוָה קְרָאתִיךָ/Yahweh qeratikha) addresses Yahweh by covenant name, appealing to relationship rather than general deity. Qara means to call, proclaim, or summon—persistent, vocal prayer, not silent contemplation.

"Make haste unto me" (חוּשָׁה לִּי/chushah li) pleads for divine speed. Chush denotes hurrying, hastening—the psalmist's need is urgent. This bold request assumes God's willingness to help; the question is timing. Similar language appears in Psalms 22:19, 38:22, 40:13, 70:1, 71:12—believers crying for God to intervene quickly amid distress.

"Give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee" (הַאֲזִינָה קוֹלִי בְּקָרְאִי־לָךְ/ha'azinah qoli beqori-lakh) intensifies the plea. "Give ear" (הַאֲזִינָה/ha'azinah) means to listen attentively, turn the ear toward. The psalmist asks God to lean in, to attend carefully to his voice. The repetition of "cry" frames the verse, emphasizing vocal, persistent prayer as appropriate response to danger or need.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Psalm 141 is a Davidic psalm, likely composed during persecution (fleeing Saul or Absalom's rebellion). Its designation as an evening prayer (verse 2 compares prayer to evening sacrifice) suggests liturgical use during the evening offering at the temple. After the temple's destruction (586 BC), Jewish tradition associated evening prayer (Ma'ariv) with this psalm. Early Christians likewise practiced fixed prayer hours, and Psalm 141 became part of evening vespers in Christian liturgy.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to 'cry' to God rather than simply pray—how might urgent, vocal prayer differ from quiet, contemplative prayer?
  2. Is it appropriate to ask God to 'make haste'—what does this reveal about the psalmist's understanding of God's character and relationship?
  3. How can you cultivate the discipline of regular evening prayer, bringing the day's concerns to God before sleep?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
יְהוָ֣ה1 of 8

“LORD”

H3068

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

בְּקָרְאִי2 of 8

“I cry”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

ח֣וּשָׁה3 of 8

“unto thee make haste”

H2363

to hurry; figuratively, to be eager with excitement or enjoyment

לִּ֑י4 of 8
H0
הַאֲזִ֥ינָה5 of 8

“unto me give ear”

H238

to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e., (by implication) to listen

ק֝וֹלִ֗י6 of 8

“unto my voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

בְּקָרְאִי7 of 8

“I cry”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לָֽךְ׃8 of 8
H0

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 141:1 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 141:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 70:5Psalms 71:12Psalms 40:13Psalms 143:7Psalms 69:17-18Psalms 22:19

Test Your Knowledge

Psalms 141 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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