Psalms 86:6 — Word Study
WLCהַאֲזִ֣ינָה יְ֭הוָה תְּפִלָּתִ֑י וְ֝הַקְשִׁ֗יבָה בְּק֣וֹל תַּחֲנוּנוֹתָֽי׃
BSAHearʼâzan [give ear, listen carefully] my prayertᵉphillâh O LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] and attendqâshab to my pleaqôwl [listen to, hearken unto, voice, sound] for mercytachănûwn [supplication, earnest request]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הַאֲזִ֣ינָה | give ear to ! | Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| יְ֭הוָה | O Yahweh | Noun proper |
| תְּפִלָּתִ֑י | prayer my | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| וְ֝הַקְשִׁ֗יבָה | and pay attention ! | Conjunction, verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| בְּק֣וֹל | to [the] sound of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| תַּחֲנוּנוֹתָֽי׃ | supplications my | Noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Hear my prayer, O LORD, and attend to my plea for mercy. |
| KJV | Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. |
| ASV | Give ear, O Jehovah, unto my prayer; And hearken unto the voice of my supplications. |
| YLT | Hear, O Jehovah, my prayer, And attend to the voice of my supplications. |
| WEB | Hear, Yahweh, my prayer. Listen to the voice of my petitions. |
| BBE | O Lord, give ear to my prayer; and take note of the sound of my requests. |
Translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse, focusing on the plea for God’s attention and mercy.
The verse consists of a main clause followed by an imperative phrase, emphasizing the urgency of the psalmist's requests.
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 86:6
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 Mercygenerated
Psalms 86:6 is a heartfelt plea from the psalmist to God, asking Him to listen to his prayer and to pay attention to his urgent request for mercy. The surrounding verses emphasize God's kindness and readiness to forgive, setting the stage for this intimate appeal for help in times of distress.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 5:1–2 | 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 130:2 | O Lord, hear my voice; let Your ears be attentive to my plea for mercy. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הַאֲזִ֣ינָה, ha.'a.Zi.nahgenerated
The verb הַאֲזִ֣ינָה (ha'azinah) is a hiphil imperative form, meaning 'give ear to' or 'listen carefully'. It conveys a strong request for attentive listening, often implying a desire for obedience or response to the speaker's needs.
This word is derived from the root אָזַן (azan), which means to listen or hear. The use of this verb in the context of prayer highlights the expectation that God will not only hear but also respond to the supplications of His people.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the phrase Hear my prayer, consistent with the KJV and ASV that also emphasize the act of listening.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse centers around two imperative verbs: הַאֲזִ֣ינָה (give ear) and וְ֝הַקְשִׁ֗יבָה (pay attention), which govern the requests made by the psalmist. The verse is constructed to emphasize the urgency of the psalmist's appeal.
The two clauses formed by these verbs create a parallel structure, enhancing the emotional weight of the plea for divine attention.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הַאֲזִ֣ינָה as ἐνώτισαι (enōtisa), which means 'to give ear'. This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning but may suggest a more formal or literary tone in the Greek context.
The use of πρόσξες (proseches) for וְ֝הַקְשִׁ֗יבָה indicates an emphasis on attentiveness, reinforcing the psalmist's desire for God to heed his request.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 86:6 is a prayer where the psalmist asks God to listen to his prayer and pay attention to his plea for mercy. This verse highlights the importance of seeking God's help in times of need.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist is expressing a deep desire for God to listen and respond to his heartfelt requests for mercy and assistance.
Yahweh is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His relationship with His people and His commitment to respond to their prayers.
Supplications refer to earnest requests made to God, highlighting the psalmist's deep need for divine mercy and intervention.
This verse reflects the recurring themes in the Psalms where the psalmists call upon God's mercy, acknowledging His kindness and readiness to forgive those who seek Him.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to seek God's mercy and attention?
- How can I cultivate a habit of earnest prayer like the psalmist?
- What does it mean for me to call on God in times of distress?
- How can I remind myself of God's kindness and forgiveness when I pray?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo references this verse to highlight the earnestness of prayer, emphasizing the importance of being heard by God.
"Fix my prayer in Your ears, O Lord" [Psalms 86:6]. Great earnestness of him who prays! That is, let not my prayer go out of Your ears, fix it then in Your ears.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 86 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 86:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleGive ear, O Lord, unto my prayer,.... As this psalm is called, in the title of it; his own prayer, and not another's, not one composed for him, but what was composed by him; this petition is
Read John Gill on Psalms 86 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryGive ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. -From speaking of God's willingness, the Psalmist passes to God's omnipotent power to help. Verse 6.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 86 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHe repeats and multiplies his requests, both to ease his own troubled mind, and to prevail with God, who is well-pleased with his people’ s importunity in prayer. See , &c.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 86 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 86:6 Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.Ver. 6. Give ear, O Lord, &c.] The hearing of our duties is earnestly to be sought and reckoned among our chiefest mercies.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 86 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(6) Give ear.—Here the petition takes a new starting-point.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 86 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 6. Give ear, O Lord] Attend to me. Millions call upon thee for help and mercy; but who has more need than myself? That the psalmist was deeply in earnest, his conduct shows. 1. He prayed. 2. His prayer was vehement; he lifted up his voice. 3. He continued in prayer; he abounded in supplications.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 86 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges6–10. Renewed supplication for a hearing. The Psalmist is sure of an answer, for Jehovah is the only true God, Whom all nations will one day acknowledge.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 86 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleGive ear, O Lord, unto my prayer ... - See the notes at Psalms 5:1.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 86 →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 prayer, O LORD, and attend to my plea for mercy.
Hear, Yahweh, my prayer. Listen to the voice of my petitions.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and attend to my plea for mercy.
O Lord, hear my prayer! Pay attention to my plea for mercy!
Tyndale line
Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
Give ear, O Jehovah, unto my prayer; And hearken unto the voice of my supplications.
Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and hearken unto the voice of my supplications.
Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
Giue eare, Lord, vnto my prayer, and hearken to the voyce of my supplication.
Strictly literal
Give ear, O Jehovah, unto my prayer, and attend to the voice of my supplications.
Hear, O Jehovah, my prayer, And attend to the voice of my supplications.
Hear, O YHWH, my prayer, || And attend to the voice of my supplications.
Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer, and attend to the voice of my supplications.
Yahweh, listen to my prayer; hear the sound of my pleas.
From the Latin
The Lord shall tell in his writings of peoples and of princes, of them that have been in her.
Simplified
Lord, please listen to my prayer. Hear my call for help.
O Lord, give ear to my prayer; and take note of the sound of my requests.
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 of Psalms 86:6 reads, "הַאֲזִ֣ינָה יְ֭הוָה תְּפִלָּתִ֑י וְ֝הַקְשִׁ֗יבָה בְּק֣וֹל תַּחֲנוּנוֹתָֽי," which translates to "Hear my prayer, O LORD, and attend to my plea for mercy." The Septuagint aligns closely with the Masoretic Text, matching five out of six words, though its word order and articles differ due to its own structure. The Dead Sea Scrolls (1Q10) contain a partially restored version of the text, with one word fully supplied by an editor, indicating some textual variation but maintaining the overall sentiment of the plea for divine attention and mercy. Overall, the main witnesses largely agree with the Masoretic Text, with minor variations in wording and restoration efforts in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
הַאֲזִ֣ינָה יְ֭הוָה תְּפִלָּתִ֑י וְ֝הַקְשִׁ֗יבָה בְּק֣וֹל תַּחֲנוּנוֹתָֽי׃
5 of the 6 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.
[האזינ׳ה] [יהוה] תפלת׳י והקשיב׳ה [בקול] [תחנונות׳י]
1 word on the leather — 1 partly restored, 4 supplied entire by an editor.
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 86:6
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.
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)
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff — 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)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
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)
N-fs | Suff — 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
Conj | V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff — Conjunction · verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHC/Vhv2ms/Sh
קוֹל (qol) primarily means 'voice' or 'sound,' encompassing various contexts such as music, noise, and even thunder. It can also denote lightness or frivolity. The word is built from a root meaning to call aloud and appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, including a reference in Jeremiah 3:9.
ref
H6963a קוֹל sound, voice H6963b קֹל lightness, frivolity
6963 qowl kole
or qol {kole}; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a
voice or sound:--+ aloud, bleating, crackling, cry (+ out),
fame, lightness, lowing, noise, + hold peace, (pro-)claim,
proclamation, + sing, sound, + spark, thunder(-ing), voice, +
yell.
קוֹל (qol) — voice.
: voice/shout/loud
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
קֹל (qol) — frivolity.
lightness, frivolity
קוֹל (qol) — voice: sound.
: sound/noise
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
קוֹל (qol) — voice: thunder.
: thunder
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
קוֹל (qol) — voice: message.
: message/proclaim
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
קוֹל (qol) — voice: [sound of].
: [sound_of](THING)
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
קוֹל (qol) — voice: listen.
: listen
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
תַּחֲנוּן (tachanuwn) refers to a form of earnest prayer or supplication, specifically a request for favor, either to man or to God. It is derived from a root meaning to plead or entreat, and is noted as a masculine noun used in the plural abstract form.
[תַּחֲנוּן] n.[m.] only pl.abstr. supplication for favour
base
H8469 תַּחֲנוּן supplication for favour
8469 tachanuwn takh-an-oon'
or (feminine) tachanuwnah {takh-an-oo-naw'}; from 2603;
earnest prayer:--intreaty, supplication.
see HEBREW for 02603
תַּחֲנוּן (ta.cha.nun) — supplication.
1) supplication, supplication for favour
1a) to man
1b) to God
N-mp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHNcfpc/Sp1bs