Psalms 141:1
LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֣ה
LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּקָרְאִי
I cry
H7121
בְּקָרְאִי
I cry
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
2 of 8
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
ח֣וּשָׁה
unto thee make haste
H2363
ח֣וּשָׁה
unto thee make haste
Strong's:
H2363
Word #:
3 of 8
to hurry; figuratively, to be eager with excitement or enjoyment
הַאֲזִ֥ינָה
unto me give ear
H238
הַאֲזִ֥ינָה
unto me give ear
Strong's:
H238
Word #:
5 of 8
to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e., (by implication) to listen
Cross References
Psalms 70:5But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.Psalms 71:12O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.Psalms 40:13Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.Psalms 22:19But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.Psalms 143:1Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.Psalms 143:7Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
Historical Context
Psalm 141 is a Davidic psalm, likely composed during persecution (fleeing Saul or Absalom's rebellion). Its designation as an evening prayer (verse 2 compares prayer to evening sacrifice) suggests liturgical use during the evening offering at the temple. After the temple's destruction (586 BC), Jewish tradition associated evening prayer (Ma'ariv) with this psalm. Early Christians likewise practiced fixed prayer hours, and Psalm 141 became part of evening vespers in Christian liturgy.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to 'cry' to God rather than simply pray—how might urgent, vocal prayer differ from quiet, contemplative prayer?
- Is it appropriate to ask God to 'make haste'—what does this reveal about the psalmist's understanding of God's character and relationship?
- How can you cultivate the discipline of regular evening prayer, bringing the day's concerns to God before sleep?
Analysis & Commentary
LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. This evening prayer opens with urgent petition, the psalmist crying to God for swift intervention. "LORD, I cry unto thee" (יְהוָה קְרָאתִיךָ/Yahweh qeratikha) addresses Yahweh by covenant name, appealing to relationship rather than general deity. Qara means to call, proclaim, or summon—persistent, vocal prayer, not silent contemplation.
"Make haste unto me" (חוּשָׁה לִּי/chushah li) pleads for divine speed. Chush denotes hurrying, hastening—the psalmist's need is urgent. This bold request assumes God's willingness to help; the question is timing. Similar language appears in Psalms 22:19, 38:22, 40:13, 70:1, 71:12—believers crying for God to intervene quickly amid distress.
"Give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee" (הַאֲזִינָה קוֹלִי בְּקָרְאִי־לָךְ/ha'azinah qoli beqori-lakh) intensifies the plea. "Give ear" (הַאֲזִינָה/ha'azinah) means to listen attentively, turn the ear toward. The psalmist asks God to lean in, to attend carefully to his voice. The repetition of "cry" frames the verse, emphasizing vocal, persistent prayer as appropriate response to danger or need.