Psalms 88:2

Authorized King James Version

Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;

Word-by-Word Analysis

תָּב֣וֹא

H935

come

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לְ֭פָנֶיךָ

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

תְּפִלָּתִ֑י

H8605

Let my prayer

intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn

הַטֵּֽה

H5186

thee incline

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

אָ֝זְנְךָ֗

H241

thine ear

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

לְרִנָּתִֽי׃

H7440

unto my cry

properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e., shout (of joy or grief)

Analysis

The worship and praise theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern poetry and hymnic literature for worship shapes this text's meaning. Israel's liturgical traditions developed through centuries of temple worship and personal devotion Understanding a worldview centered on covenant relationship between God and His people helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about worship and praise?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of the progressive revelation of God's purposes throughout Scripture, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does the worship and praise theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?