Psalms 18:6
In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
Original Language Analysis
אֶֽקְרָ֣א
I called
H7121
אֶֽקְרָ֣א
I called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
3 of 14
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
יְהוָה֮
upon the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֮
upon the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהַ֪י
unto my God
H430
אֱלֹהַ֪י
unto my God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 14
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֲשַׁ֫וֵּ֥עַ
and cried
H7768
אֲשַׁ֫וֵּ֥עַ
and cried
Strong's:
H7768
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, to be free; but used only causatively and reflexively, to halloo (for help, i.e., freedom from some trouble)
יִשְׁמַ֣ע
he heard
H8085
יִשְׁמַ֣ע
he heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
8 of 14
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
מֵהֵיכָל֣וֹ
out of his temple
H1964
מֵהֵיכָל֣וֹ
out of his temple
Strong's:
H1964
Word #:
9 of 14
a large public building, such as a palace or temple
לְפָנָ֤יו׀
before
H6440
לְפָנָ֤יו׀
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
12 of 14
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Cross References
Psalms 50:15And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.2 Samuel 22:7In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.Psalms 34:15The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.Psalms 120:1In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.Acts 12:5Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.2 Chronicles 30:27Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.Exodus 2:23And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.Habakkuk 2:20But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.Psalms 5:7But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.Psalms 11:4The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
Historical Context
The temple reference may be anachronistic (pre-Solomon) or refer to God's heavenly dwelling. Ancient Near Eastern religions had earthly temples as dwelling places of gods; Israel's God dwelt in heaven.
Questions for Reflection
- How confident are you that your prayers reach God's hearing?
- What hinders you from crying out to God in distress?
Analysis & Commentary
In distress, David called to Yahweh and his cry reached God's temple—from earth to heaven. The Hebrew 'tsaaq' (cry out) indicates desperate petition. God heard ('shama') his voice, indicating attentive response. This anticipates Jesus teaching to pray to 'Our Father in heaven' (Matthew 6:9) and Hebrews' encouragement to approach the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). Prayer bridges earth and heaven.