O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist isn't just asking God to hear him; he's asking God to attend to his pleas, implying a need for active, focused listening beyond mere auditory reception. It's a plea for God's undivided attention in moments of desperation, recognizing that simple awareness isn't enough when facing the depths of sin.
O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm, a "song of ascents," begins with the psalmist crying out from deep distress, a feeling rooted not just in trouble or lowliness, but in the profound realization of his sinfulness. He’s in a pit of despair, and his prayer in this verse is a desperate plea, a reiteration of a cry he has long offered, stemming from the urgent, personal need to be heard by God.
When you're in deep trouble, a simple request isn't enough. This verse reveals a plea that's both desperate and deeply personal.
The Psalmist isn't just asking God to notice him; he's pleading for divine attention to his cry for mercy. This isn't a casual request but an urgent appeal, highlighting the extreme need and vulnerability of the one praying.
A Cry from the Depths
The phrase 'hear my voice' in this context implies more than just being heard; it means to be listened to with intent and to receive a favorable response. When we understand the 'depths' mentioned in the broader context of Psalm 130, this plea becomes even more powerful. It's a cry from a place of great distress, sinfulness, or overwhelming trouble, where the only hope lies in God's compassionate intervention.
We often wonder if God truly hears our prayers. This verse assures us that God's attention is specifically drawn to our pleas for mercy.
The language used ('let your ears be attentive') is a powerful metaphor for God's focused, compassionate listening. It’s not that God is ever distant or unaware, but that this specific plea—a plea for mercy—draws His careful attention.
More Than Just Hearing
'Attentive' suggests more than passive hearing; it implies active engagement, a willingness to consider and respond. When we bring our needs, especially our confessed sinfulness and need for grace, before God, He leans in. This isn't about earning His attention through eloquence, but about the nature of God Himself—He is a God who hears prayer and is drawn to the humble and repentant heart.
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Understand the original words
Adonai · Hebrew Noun
A respectful title for God (Adonai), meaning 'Lord' or 'Master,' emphasizing His authority and sovereignty over the speaker.
tachanun · Hebrew Noun
A cry or petition for undeserved favor, specifically acknowledging one's inability to merit God's help and relying entirely on His compassion.
This psalm arises from a period of deep national sorrow and reflection following the Babylonian exile. The poet's cry for mercy reflects a community grappling with the consequences of sin and desperately seeking God's forgiveness and restoration.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Exile
The powerful Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its inhabitants. This event instilled a deep sense of vulnerability and divine judgment in the hearts of many Israelites.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Neo-Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling a significant portion of the Judean population. This catastrophic event plunged many into despair, feeling abandoned by God.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Edict and Return from Exile
The Persian King Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon and issues an edict allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.
Post-Exilic Period (c. 5th-4th Century BC)— this verse
Rebuilding and Spiritual Renewal
The returnees face immense challenges in rebuilding Jerusalem and their society. This era is marked by a deep yearning for God's presence and a heightened awareness of sin and the need for mercy.
This verse shows Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the Temple, also asking God to hear prayers from His people when they cry out.
Nehemiah 1:11Nehemiah prays for success in his mission to rebuild Jerusalem, specifically asking the Lord to listen to the prayers of His servants.
Isaiah 59:1-2This passage highlights how sin can separate people from God, making their prayers unheard, thus emphasizing the need for God to 'hear' in the sense of responding favorably.
Romans 8:26This New Testament passage speaks of the Holy Spirit helping us in our weakness, even when we don't know how to pray, showing God's attentiveness goes beyond our perfect words.
1 John 5:14This verse assures believers that if we ask anything according to God's will, He hears us, connecting the act of God hearing with alignment to His purposes.
pulpitPsalms 130:2: "Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications."
Verse 2. - Lord, hear my voice; i.e. "hear and grant my request;" or, as explained in the next clause, let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
clarkePsalms 130:2: "Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications."
Lord, hear my voice - They could have no helper but God, and to him they earnestly seek for relief.
The psalmist isn't just asking God to hear him; he's asking God to attend to his pleas, implying a need for active, focused listening beyond mere auditory reception. It's a plea for God's undivided attention in moments of desperation, recognizing that simple awareness isn't enough when facing the depths of sin.
This psalm, a "song of ascents," begins with the psalmist crying out from deep distress, a feeling rooted not just in trouble or lowliness, but in the profound realization of his sinfulness. He’s in a pit of despair, and his prayer in this verse is a desperate plea, a reiteration of a cry he has long offered, stemming from the urgent, personal need to be heard by God.
This psalm, a "song of ascents," begins with the psalmist crying out from deep distress, a feeling rooted not just in trouble or lowliness, but in the profound realization of his sinfulness. He’s in a pit of despair, and his prayer in this verse is a desperate plea, a reiteration of a cry he has long offered, stemming from the urgent, personal need to be heard by God.
"O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!" — The psalmist isn't just asking God to hear him; he's asking God to attend to his pleas, implying a need for active, focused listening beyond mere auditory reception. It's a plea for God's undivided…
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Last reviewed October 2026