Translations
Modern
Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.
Traditional
Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
Literal
May You hear the voice of my supplications, in my crying out to You, in my lifting up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.
Latin
Exaudi, Domine, vocem deprecationis meæ dum oro ad te; dum extollo manus meas ad templum sanctum tuum.
Original
Hebrew
English
Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.
Notes
People often raised their hands as a sign of devoted prayer (Psalms 63:4; 134:2).
The psalmist asks the Lord to listen. His urgent request comes from the tension between his close relationship with the Lord and the trouble he is facing.
In this personal lament, the psalmist asks for justice and mercy. He trusts in the Lord's strength and faithfulness and prays for the Lord's people.
These psalms develop the importance of:
God's care as a shepherd (Psalms 23:1; 28:9),
God's guidance (Psalms 23:2–3; 25:5; 27:11),
God's goodness (Psalms 23:6; 25:7–8; 27:13), and
living in his house (Psalms 23:6; 26:8; 27:4, 8).
Theme notes and profiles
Glossary
Topics
Church: Sanctuary Oracle: The Holy Place Prayer: Importunity In Prayer: Postures in Lifting up the Hands