Psalms 130:2
Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
Psalms 130:2
This verse is part of a broader cry for divine attention. The psalmist petitions, “Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.” In Jewish and ancient Near Eastern thinking, prayer is relational: God listens, and the faithful are to persist. The request that God “incline his ear” to hear emphasizes both intimacy and urgency. In a culture with many deities, the confidence here lies in monotheistic worship: the true God of Israel is attentive to the cries of His people. The verse also reflects a rhythm of petition: call upon God, expect attentive hearing, then wait for response. The language of “voice” underscores the personal, communal, and liturgical dimension of prayer—prayers aren’t abstract but spoken, heard, and anticipated by God.
Key themes include God’s accessibility, faithfulness, and the believer’s reliance on divine hearing. The psalmist asserts that prayer matters and that God can be trusted to listen. This undergirds a robust anthropology: humans are finite and dependent, yet they can approach the Creator with assurance. It also foreshadows the biblical doctrine of God’s responsiveness to prayer, which is tied to His covenant mercy and fidelity. The verse motivates persistence in prayer, not mere ritual but real conversation with a listening God.
In everyday life, this verse invites you to practice directed, sincere prayer—address God by name, articulate your needs, and trust that He attends to your words. Build a habit of starting and ending your day with prayer; when you feel distant, repeat the practice: speak, pause, listen. For families, model listening prayer for children: “Let me hear you, Lord,” then invite God to speak back through Scripture, thoughts, or a sense of peace. In times of crisis, elevate urgent needs in prayer, but also cultivate patient waiting for God’s timing. If you struggle to feel heard, reflect on God’s promises and Jesus’ teaching about attentive Fatherhood so you can approach prayer with confidence.
Cross-References: Psalm 3:4; Psalm 4:1; Isaiah 58:9; Jeremiah 29:12–13; James 5:16