Psalms 61:1 — Word Study
WLCשִׁמְעָ֣ה אֱ֭לֹהִים רִנָּתִ֑י הַ֝קְשִׁ֗יבָה תְּפִלָּתִֽי׃
BSAFor the choirmasternâtsach Withʻal stringed instrumentsnᵉgîynâh Of DavidDâvid
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| שִׁמְעָ֣ה | hear ! | Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| אֱ֭לֹהִים | O God | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| רִנָּתִ֑י | cry of entreaty my | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| הַ֝קְשִׁ֗יבָה | pay attention to ! | Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| תְּפִלָּתִֽי׃ | prayer my | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. |
| KJV | Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. |
| ASV | Hear my cry, O God; Attend unto my prayer. |
| YLT | To the Overseer, on stringed instruments. — By David. Hear, O God, my loud cry, attend to my prayer. |
| WEB | Hear my cry, God. Listen to my prayer. |
| BBE | Let my cry come to you, O God; let your ears be open to my prayer. |
Where they part company is שִׁמְעָ֣ה — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by an imperative phrase, emphasizing the urgency of the psalmist's request.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, AdamClarke & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 61:1
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Cry for Helpgenerated
Psalm 61:1 is a plea from the psalmist to God, asking for His attention to a desperate cry for help. The psalm continues as the psalmist expresses feelings of faintness and seeks refuge in God, emphasizing the relationship between human vulnerability and divine strength. This theme resonates throughout the Psalms, where the faithful often turn to God in times of distress, as seen in other passages such as Psalm 5:1-3 and Psalm 130:2.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 5:1–3 | Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning. |
| 2 | Psalm 17:1 | Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer— it comes from lips free of deceit. |
| 3 | Psalm 28:2 | Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary. |
| 4 | Psalm 55:1–2 | Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not ignore my plea. |
| 5 | Psalm 130:2 | O Lord, hear my voice; let Your ears be attentive to my plea for mercy. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שִׁמְעָ֣ה, shim.'Ahgenerated
The Hebrew word שִׁמְעָה (shim.'Ah) is an imperative form of the verb meaning 'to hear' or 'to listen.' It conveys not just the act of hearing but also the implication of attention and obedience. The parsing as a second person masculine singular imperative indicates a direct command, emphasizing urgency in the psalmist's request for God to listen.
This word is foundational in many contexts where God is called upon to hear the cries of His people. It reflects the deep relationship between the believer and God, where listening is a vital part of divine interaction.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse is structured around a finite verb, שִׁמְעָ֣ה, hear, which governs the entire plea. The structure emphasizes the urgency of the psalmist's request, with the direct address to God followed by the specific request to attend to the prayer.
The Hebrew word order places the imperative first, highlighting the psalmist's desperation and need for immediate divine response.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, שִׁמְעָ֣ה is rendered with the Greek word εἰς (G1519), which implies a direction or focus. This choice suggests an interpretation that emphasizes not just hearing but also the act of directing attention towards the psalmist's plea.
This translation choice may reflect a broader understanding of God's engagement with human cries for help, indicating a relational aspect in the listening process.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 61:1 is a heartfelt plea where the psalmist asks God to hear his urgent cry and pay attention to his prayer. The psalmist seeks God's help in a time of distress, emphasizing the importance of divine listening and intervention.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The term 'cry' refers to a loud, urgent plea for help, often associated with deep emotion and a sense of desperation, indicating the psalmist's need for God's immediate attention.
Addressing God as 'O God' emphasizes the psalmist's recognition of God's supreme authority and power, invoking His divine nature as the one who can respond to the prayer.
Asking God to 'attend' to the prayer signifies a desire for God to not only hear but also to actively engage with the psalmist's request, highlighting the relational aspect of prayer.
This verse reflects common themes in the Psalms of seeking help and refuge in God during times of trouble, showcasing the deep reliance on God for support and guidance.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's attentive listening in my own prayers?
- How can I develop a deeper sense of urgency in my prayers, like the psalmist?
- What does it mean to me to know that God is always ready to hear my cries?
- How can I encourage others to bring their urgent prayers to God?
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 61:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHear my cry, O God,.... Being in distress; and which was vocally expressed with great fervency and importunity; attend unto my prayer; which psalm was made by him, and not for him; inwrought in his
Read John Gill on Psalms 61 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. Psalms 61:1-8 -Two strophes separated by Selah.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 61 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 61:1 « To the chief Musician upon Neginah, [A Psalm] of David. » Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.To the chief Musician upon Neginah, &c.] Vincenti in melodiis Davidis (Vatab.). It is probable that he made this psalm when, driven out of his kingdom by his son Absalom, he took up at Mahanaim beyond Jordan, 2 Samuel 17:24, and therehence prayed from the ends of the earth, or rather of the land, Psalms 61:2. Howbeit R. Obadiah saith, that this psalm is De pugna cum Aram in confinibus Israel, concerning the battle with the Syrians in the borders of the land. See 2 Samuel 10:14, &c., and 1 Chronicles 19:16, &c. Ver. 1. Hear my cry, O God] Heb. my shouting, my sad outcry; for he…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 61 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BiblePSALM LXI The psalmist's prayer for those who were banished from their own land, and from the ordinances of God, 1, 2. He praises God for his past mercies, 3; purposes to devote himself entirely to his service, 4, 5. He prays for the king, 6, 7; and promises to perform his vow to the Lord daily, 8. NOTES ON PSALM LXI The title, To the chief Musician upon Neginath, נגינת. The verb נגן nagan signifies to strike or play on a musical instrument, especially one of the stringed kind; but the נגינות neginoth, as it is written in about thirty MSS., may signify either the players on the instruments or the instruments themselves. The Psalm appears to have been written about the close of the…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 61 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1–4. David prays that God will prove Himself a refuge as in time past, and that he may again live in His presence and under His protection in Jerusalem.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 61 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHear my cry, O God - See the notes at Psalms 5:2. The word rendered cry in this place sometimes denotes a joyful shout - a shout of triumph; but the connection makes it certain that it here refers to the voice of prayer.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 61 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer.
Hear my cry, God. Listen to my prayer.
For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. Of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer.
O God, hear my cry for help! Pay attention to my prayer!
Tyndale line
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
Hear my cry, O God; Attend unto my prayer.
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer.
To him that excelleth on Neginoth. A Psalme of David. Heare my cry, O God: giue eare vnto my prayer.
Strictly literal
Hear, O God, my cry; attend unto my prayer.
To the Overseer, on stringed instruments. — By David. Hear, O God, my loud cry, attend to my prayer.
TO THE OVERSEER. ON STRINGED INSTRUMENTS. BY DAVID. Hear, O God, my loud cry, attend to my prayer.
“To the chief musician upon Neginah, by David.” (61:2) Hear, O God, my entreaty; listen to my prayer.
Hear my cry, God; attend to my prayer.
From the Latin
Unto the end, for Idithun, a psalm of David.
Simplified
God, please hear my cry for help; please listen to my prayer.
Let my cry come to you, O God; let your ears be open to my prayer.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads שִׁמְעָ֣ה אֱ֭לֹהִים רִנָּתִ֑י הַ֝קְשִׁ֗יבָה תְּפִלָּתִֽי׃, and the Septuagint closely matches with four out of five words corresponding directly. This indicates a strong consistency in the core message across these ancient texts.
שִׁמְעָ֣ה אֱ֭לֹהִים רִנָּתִ֑י הַ֝קְשִׁ֗יבָה תְּפִלָּתִֽי׃
4 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 61:1
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and encompasses a range of meanings including listening, obeying, and proclaiming. It is built from a primitive root and can imply attention and understanding. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of hearing and obeying. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
שָׁמַע 1152 vb. hear
Qal 1052
subj. pers. hum.
י׳ (God) subj.
Niph. 42 be heard, of voice, sound
be heard of
be regarded, obeyed
= (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice.
Pi. he caused the people to hear
Hiph. 63
of man
י׳ subj.
base
H8085 שָׁמַע hear
8085 shama` shaw-mah'
a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with
implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to
tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather) together, X
carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content,
declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make
to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be)
obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish,
regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell,
understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: hear.
: hear
v
1) to hear, listen to, obey
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)
1a2) to hear of or concerning
1a3) to hear (have power to hear)
1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to
1a5) to understand (language)
1a6) to hear (of judicial cases)
1a7) to listen, give heed
1a7a) to consent, agree
1a7b) to grant request
1a8) to listen to, yield to
1a9) to obey, be obedient
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound)
1b2) to be heard of
1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed
1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound
1d2) to sound aloud (musical term)
1d3) to make proclamation, summon
1d4) to cause to be heard
n m
2) sound
שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: obey.
: obey
v
1) to hear, listen to, obey
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)
1a2) to hear of or concerning
1a3) to hear (have power to hear)
HVqv2ms/Sh — Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVqv2ms/Sh
אֱלֹהִים (elohiym) is a plural noun meaning 'gods' or 'God,' often referring to the supreme deity in the Old Testament. It encompasses divine beings, rulers, and judges, reflecting divine majesty and power. The term can also denote angels and is used in a superlative sense. Notably, it is sometimes combined with יהוה (YHWH), the personal name of God.
אֱלֹהִים 2570 n.m.pl.
pl. in number.
rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power
divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels
angels
gods
pl. intensive
god or goddess
godlike one
works of God, or things belongng to him
God
הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God
אֱלֹהִים = God
base
H430 אֱלֹהִים n. m. pl. . pl. in number. . rulers, judges, either asdivine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power
. divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels
. angels
. gods
. pl. intensive . god or goddess
. godlike one
. works of God, or things belongng to him
. God
. הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God
. אֱלֹהִים = God
430 'elohiym el-o-heem'
plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically
used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the
supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to
magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X
exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X
mighty.
see HEBREW for 0433
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — God.
This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God"
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (LORD)-Elohe.
Combined with ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068)
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (Gibeath)-elohim.
Combined with giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeath" H1389)
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
god ('Elohim, 'El, [`Elyon], Shadday, Yahweh; Theos):
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL IDEA
1. The Idea in Experience and in Thought
2. Definition of the Idea
3. The Knowledge of God
4. Ethnic Ideas of God
(1) Animism
(2) Fetishism
(3) Idolatry
(4) Polytheism
(5) Henotheism
(6) Pantheism
(7) Deism
(8) Semitic Monolatry
(9) Monotheism
II. THE IDEA OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
1. The Course of Its Development
2. Forms of Its Manifestation
(1) The Face or Countenance of God
(2) The Voice and Word of God
(3) The Glory of God
(4) The Angel of God
(5) The Spirit of God
(6) The Name of God
(7) Occasional Forms
3. The Names of God
(1) Generic
(2) Attributive
(3) Yahweh
4. Pre-prophetic Conceptions of God
(1) Yahweh Alone Is the God of Israel
(a) His Early Worship
(b) Popular Religion
(c) Polytheistic Tendencies
(i) Coordination
(ii) Assimilation
(iii) Disintegration
(d) No Hebrew Goddesses
(e) Human Sacrifices
God
(A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew ’El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of ’Eloah_, plural _’Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by “LORD,” printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argument to prove it. He who disbelieves this truth is spoken of as one devoid of understanding (Ps. 14:1).
The arguments generally adduced by theologians in proof of the being of God are:
(1.) The a priori argument, which is the testimony afforded by reason.
(good). Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures two chief names are used for the one true divine Being--ELOHIM, commonly translated God in our version, and JEHOVAH, translated Lord . Elohim is the plural of Eloah (in Arabic Allah); it is often used in the short form EL (a word signifying strength , as in EL-SHADDAI, God Almighty, the name by which God was specially known to the patriarchs. (Genesis 17:1; 28:3; Exodus 6:3) The etymology is uncertain, but it is generally agreed that the primary idea is that of strength, power of effect , and that it properly describes God in that character in which he is exhibited to all men in his works, as the creator, sustainer and supreme governor of the world. The plural form of Elohim has given rise to much discussion. The fanciful idea that it…
This name, the derivation of which is uncertain, we give to that eternal, infinite, perfect, and incomprehensible Being, the Creator of all things, who preserves and governs all by his almighty power and wisdom, and is the only proper object of worship. The proper Hebrew name for God is JEHOVAH, which signifies He is. But the Jews, from a feeling of reverence, avoid pronouncing this name, substituting for it, wherever it occurs in the sacred test, the word ADONAI, Lord; except in the expression, ADONAI JEHOVAH, Lord Jehovah, for which they put, ADONAI ELOHIM, Lord God. This usage, which is not without an element of superstition, is very ancient, dating its origin some centuries before Christ; but there is no good ground for assuming its existence in the days of the inspired Old Testament writers. The proper word for God is ELOHIM, which is plural in its form, being thus used to signify…
רִנָּה (rinnah) refers to a ringing cry, often associated with joy, grief, or proclamation. It is derived from the root meaning to creak or make a shrill sound. The term encompasses various expressions of emotion, including gladness and triumph, and can denote both joyful singing and cries of supplication.
רִנָּה n.f. ringing cry
base
H7440 רִנָּה ringing cry
7440 rinnah rin-naw'
from 7442; properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e. shout
(of joy or grief):--cry, gladness, joy, proclamation,
rejoicing, shouting, sing(-ing), triumph.
see HEBREW for 07442
רִנָּה (rin.nah) — cry.
1) ringing cry
1a) of entreaty, supplication
1b) in proclamation, joy, praise
HNcfsc/Sp1bs — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp1bs
קָשַׁב (qashab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to listen or pay attention, particularly with reference to inclining one's ears. It encompasses actions like hearkening and giving heed. The word appears in contexts such as Isaiah 32:3, where it emphasizes attentiveness. The entries consistently describe its usage in both the Qal and Hiphil forms.
[קָשַׁב] 46 vb. incline, attend, of ears
Qal Is 32:3
Hiph. give attention
base
H7181 קָשַׁב incline, attend, of ears
7181 qashab kaw-shab'
a primitive root; to prick up the ears, i.e.
hearken:--attend, (cause to) hear(-ken), give heed, incline,
mark (well), regard.
קָשַׁב (qa.shav) — to listen.
1) to hear, be attentive, heed, incline (of ears), attend (of ears), hearken, pay attention, listen
1a) (Qal) incline, attend (of ears), hearken, pay attention, listen
1b) (Hiphil) to pay attention, give attention
HVhv2ms/Sh — Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVhv2ms/Sh
תְּפִלָּה (tefillah) means 'prayer' and is derived from the root meaning intercession or supplication. It encompasses various forms of prayer, including hymns and requests for divine attention. The term appears in contexts such as the titles of Psalms, emphasizing its liturgical significance.
תְּפִלָּה 77 n.f. prayer
base
H8605 תְּפִלָּה prayer
8605 tphillah tef-il-law'
from 6419; intercession, supplication; by implication, a
hymn:--prayer.
see HEBREW for 06419
תְּפִלָּה (te.phil.lah) — prayer.
1) prayer
1a) prayer
1b) pray a prayer
1c) house of prayer
1d) hear prayer
1e) in Ps titles (of poetic or liturgical prayer)
HNcfsc/Sp1bs — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp1bs