King James Version

What Does Psalms 28:6 Mean?

Psalms 28:6 in the King James Version says “Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.”

Psalms 28:6 · KJV

Context

4

Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.

5

Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.

6

Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.

7

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

8

The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. their: or, his saving: Heb. strength of salvations

Read Psalms 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. This verse marks dramatic transition from petition (v.1-5) to praise (v.6-9). David shifts from crying "hear me!" to declaring "He has heard!" This movement from lament to thanksgiving characterizes many psalms, demonstrating faith's progression from desperate plea to confident praise.

"Blessed be the LORD" (בָּרוּךְ יְהוָה/baruch Yahweh) expresses worship and thanksgiving. Baruch means blessed, praised, adored. This identical phrase opens numerous psalms (41:13; 72:18; 89:52; 106:48; 124:6; 135:21; 144:1). Significantly, David blesses God not for what he hopes will happen but for what has already occurred—God "hath heard." This suggests either answered prayer during the psalm's composition, prophetic certainty of coming deliverance, or faith declaring God's faithfulness before seeing evidence.

"Because he hath heard" (כִּי־שָׁמַע/ki-shama) provides the reason for blessing. Ki means "because" or "for," connecting praise to specific cause—God's hearing. Shama (heard) uses perfect tense, indicating completed action: God has heard, listening is accomplished. This doesn't necessarily mean request is granted, but prayer has reached God's ears. Sometimes knowing God has heard is sufficient comfort even before seeing resolution.

"The voice of my supplications" (קוֹל תַּחֲנוּנָי/qol tachanunai) repeats the exact phrase from verse 2, creating inclusio (literary bookend). David asked God to hear his supplications (v.2), and now declares God has heard his supplications (v.6). The repetition emphasizes answered prayer's reality and demonstrates that the desperate prayers of verses 1-2 were not in vain.

Theologically, this verse affirms God's responsiveness to prayer. Psalm 34:17 declares: "The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles." 1 John 5:14-15 promises: "This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us...we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." God's hearing precedes and guarantees eventual answering.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The psalm's structure—moving from lament to praise—reflects temple liturgy patterns. Many scholars suggest psalms like this were used in worship after deliverance, recounting previous distress and present thanksgiving. The shift from petition to praise may represent actual historical progression: David wrote verses 1-5 during crisis, then added verses 6-9 after deliverance.

Alternatively, the structure may reflect prophetic certainty—David so confident in God's faithfulness that he declares deliverance accomplished before seeing it. This demonstrates mature faith that doesn't require visible evidence before praising. Abraham "staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God" (Romans 4:20). Similarly, David praises God for hearing before necessarily seeing full answer.

Ancient Near Eastern prayer literature rarely shows this confidence. Pagan prayers often included lengthy flattery attempting to manipulate deities, with little assurance of hearing. Biblical prayer, grounded in covenant relationship, expresses confidence that the covenant-keeping God hears and responds to His people.

For Israel throughout history—during judges' oppression, Assyrian threat, Babylonian exile, Greek persecution, Roman occupation—this psalm modeled faithful prayer. Cry desperately to God (v.1-2), wait expectantly (v.6), and praise confidently (v.7-9). This pattern sustained believers through centuries of crisis.

Jesus modeled this movement from anguish to trust. In Gethsemane He prayed with "strong crying and tears" (Hebrews 5:7), asking if possible for the cup to pass. Yet He concluded with submission: "not my will, but thine, be done" (Luke 22:42). His resurrection vindicated this trust—God heard and delivered, though not by preventing suffering but by transforming it into salvation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to bless or praise God 'because' He has heard, and how does recognizing God's attentiveness lead to worship?
  2. How can believers cultivate the kind of faith that praises God for hearing prayer before necessarily seeing the answer to prayer?
  3. What is the relationship between God 'hearing' our prayers and God 'answering' them, and how does knowing God has heard provide comfort even when answers are delayed?
  4. How does the psalm's movement from desperate petition to confident praise model healthy spiritual processing of crisis and resolution?
  5. In what ways might believers today miss opportunities to declare 'Blessed be the LORD' because they're focused on whether prayers are answered rather than whether God has heard?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
בָּר֥וּךְ1 of 6

“Blessed”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

יְהוָ֑ה2 of 6

“be the LORD”

H3068

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

כִּי3 of 6
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

שָׁ֝מַע4 of 6

“because he hath heard”

H8085

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

ק֣וֹל5 of 6

“the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

תַּחֲנוּנָֽי׃6 of 6

“of my supplications”

H8469

earnest prayer

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 28:6 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 28:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 31:21-22Psalms 107:19-22Psalms 118:5Psalms 116:1-2Psalms 66:19-20Psalms 69:33-34

Test Your Knowledge

Psalms 28 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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