Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
Psalm 61 is a psalm of David written in a season of distress, distance, and longing for renewed nearness to God. The following verse speaks of crying “from the end of the earth” (v.2), suggesting either literal removal from familiar help or a soul cast down as though far away. Yet the psalm opens where faith often must begin, in direct appeal to God. Before David speaks of refuge, vows, or the king’s preservation later in the psalm, he first cries to be heard. This is the gate through which many comforts are entered.
“Hear my cry, O God.” David did not begin with ceremony, but urgency. A cry is the language of need, pain, fear, or burden too heavy for polished speech. When the soul is pressed, prayer often becomes more cry than composition. The psalmist elsewhere says, “In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me” (Psalm 120:1). Thus, the verse teaches that God’s people need not wait until they can speak elegantly; they may cry.
The word also shows sincerity. Men may recite forms with wandering hearts, but a cry rises from inward feeling. God is not moved by flowery language, but by truth in the inward parts. Hannah “spake in her heart” and was heard, though her lips barely moved (1 Samuel 1:13). The blind man cried, “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me,” and received sight (Mark 10:47-52). Therefore the weakest broken cry, if true, is stronger than empty eloquence.
David addressed God personally: “O God.” Trouble had not driven him from God, but unto God. This is a chief mark of grace. Many run to distraction, complaint, or worldly props when afflicted. The renewed soul runs upward. The very next verse declares, “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee” (v.2). Distance of place or heaviness of heart cannot bar access to God.
“Attend unto my prayer.” To attend is to regard, incline, and give heed. David asks not only that words be heard as sound, but that prayer be received with divine notice and answered according to wisdom. This is bold yet humble faith. He knows God is great, yet believes God stoops to hear.
The pairing of “cry” and “prayer” is instructive. A cry emphasizes passion; prayer emphasizes ordered petition. God receives both the groan that scarcely forms words and the request carefully laid before Him. As Paul wrote, “the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26). Thus, believers are not rejected because weakness mingles with prayer.
This request also teaches perseverance. David was not content only to speak into the air. He sought an audience with the living God. Much prayer is hindered because men say words without expectation. But David asked God to attend, showing that true prayer looks for divine regard.
This verse should greatly encourage burdened souls. You may be unable to explain yourself fully, unable to untangle every thought, unable to steady every emotion. Yet you may cry, and you may pray. God understands broken petitions better than men understand polished speeches.
This verse sets forth the simplest and strongest refuge of the saints: to cry unto God and seek His attentive ear. Therefore, let none delay prayer until conditions improve, but go at once to the throne of grace in every trouble. As the psalmist declares, “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth” (Psalm 34:17), and the apostle Peter exhorts, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
Psalm 61 is a psalm of David written in a season of distress, distance, and longing for renewed nearness to God. The following verse speaks of crying “from the end of the earth” (v.2), suggesting either literal removal from familiar help or a soul cast down as though far away. Yet the psalm opens where faith often must begin, in direct appeal to God. Before David speaks of refuge, vows, or the king’s preservation later in the psalm, he first cries to be heard. This is the gate through which many comforts are entered.
“Hear my cry, O God.” David did not begin with ceremony, but urgency. A cry is the language of need, pain, fear, or burden too heavy for polished speech. When the soul is pressed, prayer often becomes more cry than composition. The psalmist elsewhere says, “In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me” (Psalm 120:1). Thus, the verse teaches that God’s people need not wait until they can speak elegantly; they may cry.
The word also shows sincerity. Men may recite forms with wandering hearts, but a cry rises from inward feeling. God is not moved by flowery language, but by truth in the inward parts. Hannah “spake in her heart” and was heard, though her lips barely moved (1 Samuel 1:13). The blind man cried, “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me,” and received sight (Mark 10:47-52). Therefore the weakest broken cry, if true, is stronger than empty eloquence.
David addressed God personally: “O God.” Trouble had not driven him from God, but unto God. This is a chief mark of grace. Many run to distraction, complaint, or worldly props when afflicted. The renewed soul runs upward. The very next verse declares, “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee” (v.2). Distance of place or heaviness of heart cannot bar access to God.
“Attend unto my prayer.” To attend is to regard, incline, and give heed. David asks not only that words be heard as sound, but that prayer be received with divine notice and answered according to wisdom. This is bold yet humble faith. He knows God is great, yet believes God stoops to hear.
The pairing of “cry” and “prayer” is instructive. A cry emphasizes passion; prayer emphasizes ordered petition. God receives both the groan that scarcely forms words and the request carefully laid before Him. As Paul wrote, “the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26). Thus, believers are not rejected because weakness mingles with prayer.
This request also teaches perseverance. David was not content only to speak into the air. He sought an audience with the living God. Much prayer is hindered because men say words without expectation. But David asked God to attend, showing that true prayer looks for divine regard.
This verse should greatly encourage burdened souls. You may be unable to explain yourself fully, unable to untangle every thought, unable to steady every emotion. Yet you may cry, and you may pray. God understands broken petitions better than men understand polished speeches.
This verse sets forth the simplest and strongest refuge of the saints: to cry unto God and seek His attentive ear. Therefore, let none delay prayer until conditions improve, but go at once to the throne of grace in every trouble. As the psalmist declares, “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth” (Psalm 34:17), and the apostle Peter exhorts, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).