King James Version

What Does Psalms 86:6 Mean?

Psalms 86:6 in the King James Version says “Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 86 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Psalms 86:6 · KJV

Prayer

Context

4

Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

5

For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

6

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

7

In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

8

Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
David's urgent plea demonstrates the language of desperate prayer. The imperative הַאֲזִינָה יְהוָה תְּפִלָּתִי (ha'azinah YHWH tefillati, 'Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer') uses הַאֲזִינָה (ha'azinah), meaning to 'turn the ear' or 'incline to hear'—not casual listening but focused attention. The repetition with וְהַקְשִׁיבָה (vehaqshivah, 'and attend') intensifies the request; this verb means to 'pay attention' or 'prick up the ears,' suggesting alert responsiveness. The parallel structure creates poetic emphasis on one central request: be heard by God.

The phrase בְּקוֹל תַּחֲנוּנוֹתָי (beqol tachanunai, 'to the voice of my supplications') is revealing—תַּחֲנוּנוֹת (tachanunot) derives from 'grace' or 'favor,' suggesting prayers for unmerited mercy rather than earned rewards. The word קוֹל (qol, 'voice') emphasizes the personal, vocal nature of David's crying out, not silent meditation but audible petition. This verse assumes God can choose to listen or not, encouraging believers to persist in prayer, trusting God's covenant relationship. David's use of two different verbs for divine hearing suggests nuanced understanding of prayer—God doesn't merely hear sound, but attends to meaning and responds to need.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Psalm 86 is the only psalm in Book III (Psalms 73-89) attributed to David, suggesting it may have been written during the tumultuous period of his reign—possibly during Absalom's rebellion or another crisis. Unlike many psalms, this one lacks a specific historical superscription, making it universally applicable to times of distress. The psalm is rich with quotations and allusions to earlier Scriptures, showing David's deep knowledge of Israel's prayers and traditions. In ancient Israel, prayer was often vocal and public—the 'voice' of supplication was literal. The temple and tabernacle were places where people cried out audibly to God. This verse reflects the covenant relationship where Israel could confidently approach YHWH, knowing He had promised to hear His people's prayers (Exodus 22:23, 1 Kings 8:28-30).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to ask God to 'give ear' to prayer—doesn't He always hear?
  2. How does the Hebrew concept of 'supplications' (prayers for grace) differ from other types of prayer?
  3. Why does David use two different verbs for God's hearing—what nuance does this add?
  4. What role does persistence play in prayer, based on David's urgent language?
  5. How can we cultivate the kind of confident approach to God that David demonstrates here?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
הַאֲזִ֣ינָה1 of 6

“Give ear”

H238

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

יְ֭הוָה2 of 6

“O LORD”

H3068

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

תְּפִלָּתִ֑י3 of 6

“unto my prayer”

H8605

intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn

וְ֝הַקְשִׁ֗יבָה4 of 6

“and attend”

H7181

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

בְּק֣וֹל5 of 6

“to the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

תַּחֲנוּנוֹתָֽי׃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 86:6 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 86:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 5:1-2Psalms 130:2Psalms 17:1Psalms 55:1

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