Psalms 66:19
But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
Original Language Analysis
אָ֭כֵן
But verily
H403
אָ֭כֵן
But verily
Strong's:
H403
Word #:
1 of 6
firmly; figuratively, surely; also (adversative) but
שָׁמַ֣ע
hath heard
H8085
שָׁמַ֣ע
hath heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 6
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֱלֹהִ֑ים
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֑ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 6
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
Cross References
Hebrews 5:7Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;Psalms 6:9The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.Psalms 34:6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
Historical Context
Israel's confidence in prayer rested on God's covenant promises, particularly Deuteronomy 4:7: 'what nation is there so great, who hath a God so nigh unto them?' God's attentiveness distinguished Israel from pagan nations whose idols couldn't hear (Psalm 115:4-7).
Questions for Reflection
- What gives you confidence that God hears and attends to your prayers?
- How do you reconcile God's promise to hear prayer with times when answers seem delayed or different than expected?
- In what ways does covenant relationship with God through Christ guarantee His attention to your prayers?
Analysis & Commentary
The psalmist's confidence rests on God's character—'Verily God hath heard me.' The emphatic 'verily' underscores absolute certainty of answered prayer. 'Attended to the voice of my prayer' shows God's active engagement with His people's petitions, not distant indifference. This assurance flows from covenant relationship; God hears because the psalmist belongs to Him. It anticipates John 9:31 and 1 John 3:22, linking answered prayer to righteous living and God's will.