Psalm 5:1

Translations

Modern

For the choirmaster, to be accompanied by flutes. A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.

Traditional

To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.

Literal

For the one directing. With the Nehiloth. A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O YHWH; have regard for my murmuring.

Latin

In finem, pro ea quæ hæreditatem consequitur. Psalmus David. Verba mea auribus percipe, Domine; intellige clamorem meum.

Original

Hebrew

English

For the choirmaster, to be accompanied by flutes. A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.

Notes

Psalms 5:1–2

The phrase give ear to my words appears in several prayers as a call for God's attention during difficult times (Psalms 39:12; 84:8; 143:1; compare Psalms 17:1; 54:2; 130:2). The needy ask their God, “Are you listening?”

Psalms 5:1–12

This morning prayer (Psalm 5:3) shows strong trust in the Lord's help and protection. The psalmist asks for God's response and waits for it (Psalm 5:1–3).

He describes the plans of the wicked in detail but stays focused on God. The psalmist knows the wicked cannot be with God (Psalm 5:4–6, 9; see 1:5).

He keeps returning to the Lord (Psalm 5:7–8, 10; see 5:1–3), and then he prays for the godly community (5:10–12; see 3:8).

Psalms 3:1–7:17

This group of psalms moves from an orderly world to a troubled one. Psalms 1–2 describe stability. The righteous person is blessed, and the Lord’s anointed king rules with authority.

In the psalms that follow, the tone changes. The Lord’s anointed cries out for help. He faces enemies, strong opposition, and evil plans.

It even seems at times that the Lord is far away. The psalmist feels confusion and distress instead of confidence and calm.

Theme notes and profiles

David

Related verses

1 John 5:14–15
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
Psalm 54:2
Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth.
Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 55:1–2
For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not ignore my plea.
1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Psalm 64:1
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Hear, O God, my voice of complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.
Psalm 17:1
A prayer of David. Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer—it comes from lips free of deceit.
Romans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.
Psalm 86:1
A prayer of David. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
1 Samuel 1:16
Do not take your servant for a wicked woman, for all this time I have been praying out of the depth of my anguish and grief.”
Psalm 80:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth
1 Samuel 1:13
Hannah was praying in her heart, and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. So Eli thought she was drunk

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ

Glossary

David Imprecatory Psalms Music Nehiloth Psalms, Book of

Topics

Blasphemy: General Scriptures Concerning David: King of Israel: He Probably Writes, at This Time Music: Nehiloth: Appears in the Title of Prayer: Silent Prayerfulness: General Scriptures Concerning Psalms: Afflictions Psalms: Didactic

Psalm 5:1

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