Psalms 5:1 — Word Study
WLCאֲמָרַ֖י הַאֲזִ֥ינָה׀ יְהוָ֗ה בִּ֣ינָה הֲגִֽיגִי׃
BSAFor the choirmasternâtsach to be accompanied byʼêl flutesnᵉchîylâh△ A Psalmmizmôwr of DavidDâvid
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֲמָרַ֖י | words my | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| הַאֲזִ֥ינָה׀ | give ear to ! | Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| יְהוָ֗ה | O Yahweh | Noun proper |
| בִּ֣ינָה | consider ! | Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| הֲגִֽיגִי׃ | sighing my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning. |
| KJV | Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. |
| ASV | Give ear to my words, O Jehovah, Consider my meditation. |
| YLT | To the Overseer, 'Concerning the Inheritances.' — A Psalm of David. My sayings hear, O Jehovah, Consider my meditation. |
| WEB | Give ear to my words, Yahweh. Consider my meditation. |
| BBE | Give ear to my words, O Lord; give thought to my heart-searchings. |
Where they part company is הֲגִֽיגִי — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is structured around a main request followed by a related imperative, highlighting the psalmist's plea for God's attention.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & 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 5:1
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 Prayer for Guidancegenerated
Psalm 5:1 is a heartfelt prayer from the psalmist, who seeks God's attentive ear to his words and groans. This psalm emphasizes the importance of communication with God, especially in times of distress, as the psalmist prepares to present his needs and desires before the Lord. The following verses continue this theme, showing a deep reliance on God's understanding and response.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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. |
| 2 | Psalm 54:2 | Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth. |
| 3 | Psalm 55:1–2 | Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not ignore my plea. |
| 4 | Psalm 64:1 | Hear, O God, my voice of complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy. |
| 5 | Psalm 80:1 | Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֲמָרַ֖י, 'a.ma.Raigenerated
The word אֲמָרַ֖י (*'a.ma.Rai*) is a plural construct form of the noun for 'word', indicating the psalmist's personal expressions or messages to God. It suggests a range of meanings from simple speech to profound declarations, highlighting the intimate nature of the psalmist's communication with the divine.
In this context, the psalmist is not just speaking; he is inviting God to listen carefully to his thoughts and meditations, indicating the weight of his words and the importance of divine attention.
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 contains a main clause governed by the imperative verb הַאֲזִ֥ינָה, Give ear, which directs God’s attention to the psalmist's words. This is followed by a second imperative בִּ֣ינָה, consider, creating a parallel structure that emphasizes the urgency of the psalmist's plea.
The order of the Hebrew words places emphasis on the psalmist's request for God's attentive listening, highlighting the personal nature of his communication.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew אֲמָרַ֖י is rendered as εἰς, which suggests a focus on the act of listening rather than the content of the words. This choice may reflect a broader interpretation of the psalmist's request.
The Greek translation captures the essence of the plea but shifts the focus slightly from the personal nature of the words to the act of listening itself.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 5:1 is a prayer where the psalmist asks the Lord to listen to his words and consider his deep feelings. This verse highlights the importance of bringing our thoughts and emotions to God, seeking His understanding and support.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist refers to his personal expressions and thoughts directed towards God, indicating a desire for divine attention and understanding.
The groaning reflects the psalmist's inner turmoil and distress, and he seeks God's awareness and compassion in his struggles.
You can use this verse as a model for your prayers, asking God to listen to your words and to understand your feelings, just as the psalmist did.
It signifies God's attentiveness and willingness to listen to our requests and concerns, assuring us that He is engaged with our lives.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I bring my thoughts and feelings to God in prayer?
- How does knowing that God listens to my words change the way I pray?
- What are some personal experiences where I felt God understood my groaning?
- How can I encourage others to express their feelings to God like the psalmist?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early church fathers reflect on this psalm, interpreting it as a plea for divine listening and understanding, emphasizing the spiritual significance of the psalmist's words.
Because of grace this hymn is sung, in behalf of the individual spirit or for the church called out for the divine inheritance, not a natural one but a spiritual one.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 5 →
From the start God examines all the words that you speak, whether they are shameful, blasphemous or lying words; whether malicious, harmful or deceitful;Early Church Fathers on Psalms 5 →
There are many who insist that the titles do not belong to the psalms but who really do not know why they hold such a view. If the titles were not found in all the manuscripts—Hebrew, Greek and Latin—their position would be tenable.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 5 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 5:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleGive ear to my words, O Lord,.... Meaning not his words in common conversation, but in prayer; the words which came out of his mouth, and were audibly expressed by him at the throne of grace, and
Read John Gill on Psalms 5 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryGive ear to my words O LORD consider my meditation Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. Title.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 5 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BiblePsalms 5 Nehiloth: this is no where else used in Scripture. It is generally and probably thought to be a term belonging to music, and to signify either some kind of tune, or rather an instrument, and particularly a wind-instrument, as Neginoth in the title of the last Psalm signified stringed instruments. This Psalm supposeth David to be in some great distress or trouble, either from Saul, or from Absalom, or some of their courtiers. David earnestly beseecheth God to hear his prayer, ; and assureth himself of God’ s justice against his enemies, . Professeth his faith in God, , he prayeth him to guide his goings, . He exclaims against his enemies’ cruelty, ; and prayeth God to destroy them…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 5 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 5:1 « To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David. » Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.Ver. 1. To the chief Musician] Upon Nehiloth] Upon wind instruments. Pneumatica, tribulata. The Rabbis say that this psalm was made and appointed to be sung concerning Doeg and Ahithophel. Give ear to my words, O Lord] David knew him to be a prayer hearing God, Psalms 65:2, and that his ears were always open (as the doors of the Roman Aediles were) to hear complaints and requests: hence this prayer. Consider my meditation] i.e. The conceptions of my soul uttered with a low voice ( Murmur meum, Jerome), but with most vehement affection. Mussitationem meam. All this the…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 5 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(1) Meditation.—From a root cognate with the word translated meditate in Psalms 1:2, with primary sense of mutter or murmur. Here “whispered prayer,” in contrast to “words” in first clause, and to “voice of my cry” in the next. It echoes clause 1: “while unto thee will I pray” corresponds to “meditation.”
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 5 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BiblePSALM V David continues instant in prayer, 1, 2; makes early application to God, 3; and shows the hatred which God bears to the workers of iniquity, 4-6. His determination to worship God, and to implore direction and support, 7, 8. He points out the wickedness of his enemies, 9, and the destruction they may expect, 10; and then shows the happiness of those who trust in the Lord, 11, 12. NOTES ON PSALM V This Psalm is inscribed to the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David. As neginoth may signify all kinds of instruments struck with a plectrum, stringed instruments, those like the drum, cymbals, c. so nechiloth, from חל chal, to be hollow, to bore through, may signify any kind of…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 5 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1–3. Introductory petitions for a favourable hearing.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 5 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleGive ear to my words, O Lord - We naturally incline the ear toward anyone when we wish to hear distinctly what he says, and we turn away the ear when we do not.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 5 →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
Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.
Give ear to my words, Yahweh. Consider my meditation.
For the choirmaster, to be accompanied by flutes. A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.
Listen to what I say, Lord! Carefully consider my complaint!
Tyndale line
Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
Give ear to my words, O Jehovah, Consider my meditation.
Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
To him that excelleth upon Nehiloth. A Psalme of Dauid. Heare my wordes, O Lord: vnderstande my meditation.
Strictly literal
Give ear to my words, O Jehovah; consider my meditation.
To the Overseer, 'Concerning the Inheritances.' — A Psalm of David. My sayings hear, O Jehovah, Consider my meditation.
TO THE OVERSEER. [BLOWN] INTO THE PIPES. A PSALM OF DAVID. Hear my sayings, O YHWH, || Consider my meditation.
“To the chief musician upon Nechiloth, a psalm of David.” (5:2) To my words give ear, O Lord, have regard to my mediation.
Listen to my call to you, Yahweh; think about my groanings.
From the Latin
Unto the end, for her that obtaineth the inheritance. A psalm of David.
Simplified
Lord, please listen to me. Don't ignore my groans of distress.
Give ear to my words, O Lord; give thought to my heart-searchings.
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 and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all five words matched. This alignment shows consistency in the preservation of the text across these traditions.
אֲמָרַ֖י הַאֲזִ֥ינָה׀ יְהוָ֗ה בִּ֣ינָה הֲגִֽיגִי׃
5 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 5:1
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 אֹמֶר (*'omer*) refers to an utterance, speech, or word, often used in a poetic or exalted context. It is derived from the root meaning 'to say' and encompasses meanings like saying, promise, and command. The entries collectively emphasize its use in elevated language.
אֹמֶר n.m. utterance, speech, word, only poet., & exalted style
base
H561 אֹמֶר utterance, speech, word, only poet., & exalted style
561 'emer ay'-mer
from 559; something said:--answer, X appointed unto him,
saying, speech, word.
see HEBREW for 0559
אֵמֶר (e.mer) — word.
utterance, speech, word, saying, promise, command
HNcmpc/Sp1bs — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp1bs
אָזַן (azan) is a verb meaning to listen or hear, derived as a denominative from a root suggesting the broadening of the ear. It encompasses the act of giving ear, being obedient, and specifically refers to God listening to prayers. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
[אָזַן] 42 vb. denom. Hiph. give ear, listen, hear
hear, perceive by the ear
of God, listening (with favour) to prayer
base
H238 אָזַן vb. denom. Hiph. give ear, listen, hear
238 'azan aw-zan'
a primitive root; probably to expand; but used only as a
denominative from 241; to broaden out the ear (with the hand),
i.e. (by implication) to listen:--give (perceive by the) ear,
hear(-ken). See 239.
see HEBREW for 0241
see HEBREW for 0239
אָזַן (a.zan) — to listen.
1) to hear, listen
1a) (Hiphil)
1a1) to hear, listen, give ear
1a2) to be obedient, harken
1a3) to hear or listen to prayers (of God)
HVhv2ms/Sh — Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVhv2ms/Sh
er ('ozen; ous, otion, the latter word (literally, "earlet") in all the Gospels only used of the ear of the high priest's servant, which was cut off by Peter: Mt 26:51; Mr 14:47; Lu 22:51 (not 22:50); Joh 18:10,26):
(1) The physical organ of hearing which was considered of peculiar importance as the chief instrument by which man receives information and commandments. For this reason the ear of the priest had to be specially sanctified, the tip of the right ear being touched with sacrificial blood at the consecration (Le 8:23). Similarly the ear of the cleansed leper had to be rededicated to the service of God by blood…
Ear
Used frequently in a figurative sense (Ps. 34:15). To “uncover the ear” is to show respect to a person (1 Sam. 20:2 marg.). To have the “ear heavy”, or to have “uncircumcised ears” (Isa. 6:10), is to be inattentive and disobedient. To have the ear “bored” through with an awl was a sign of perpetual servitude (Ex. 21:6).
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
HNpt — Noun properHNpt
בִּין (biyn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to discern or understand. It encompasses a range of meanings including perceiving, considering, and teaching, with various forms indicating different nuances, such as being intelligent or discreet. The entries highlight its use in contexts requiring mental separation or insight, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicographers.
בִּין vb. discern
Qal
perceive
understand, know (with mind)
observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)
have discernment, insight, understanding
Niph. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding
Po. he attentively considereth him
Hiph.
understand
give heed to, attend to, observe, discern
give understanding, make understand, teach
Hithp.
shew oneself attentive, consider diligently
get understanding, understand
shew oneself to have understanding
base
H995 בִּין discern .. perceive
. understand, know (with mind)
. observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)
. have discernment, insight, understanding
. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding
. he attentively considereth him
. . understand
. give heed to, attend to, observe, discern
. give understanding, make understand, teach
. . shew oneself attentive, consider diligently
. get understanding, understand
. shew oneself to have understanding
995 biyn bene
a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish),
i.e.(generally) understand:--attend, consider, be cunning,
diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct,
have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be
prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause,
make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal)
wise(-ly, man).
בִּין (bin) — to understand.
1) to discern, understand, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to perceive, discern
1a2) to understand, know (with the mind)
1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider
1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding
1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to understand
1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach
1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently
1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct
2) (TWOT) prudent, regard
HVqv2ms/Sh — Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVqv2ms/Sh
kon-sid'-er: In the New Testament the force of the word is brought out most vividly in Mt 6:26 (katamanthano), where it means to "examine closely," as though the observer had to bend down for this purpose, and in Lu 12:27; Heb 10:24 (katanoeo, to "observe well"), while in Heb 13:7 the anatheoreo, "look up toward" or "look again at" is consistent with the reverential regard commended in the context. Used in the Old Testament for a variety of Hebrew terms, signifying inspecting (Pr 31:16), examining (Le 13:13), giving serious thoughts to (
The Hebrew word הָגִיג (*hagiyg*) refers to a form of murmuring or whispering, often associated with meditation or musing. It is derived from an unused root related to another Hebrew word. The entries consistently highlight its meanings related to contemplation and complaint.
[הָגִיג] n.m. murmuring (Che), whisper, musing
base
H1901 הָגִיג
1901 hagiyg haw-gheeg'
from an unused root akin to 1897; properly, a murmur, i.e.
complaint:--meditation, musing.
see HEBREW for 01897
הָגִיג (ha.gig) — meditation.
1) whisper, musing, murmuring
1a) murmuring
1b) musing
HNcmsc/Sp1bs — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs