Psalms 140:6 (KJV)

What does Psalms 140:6 mean?

Psalms 140:6 shows the writer, David, personally calling out to the LORD and declaring his trust in God as his own God, asking God to listen to his prayers for help. The verse is a direct, heartfelt plea for God’s attention and care in a time of trouble.

David is speaking to the LORD (the personal name for God in the Hebrew Bible), making his relationship with God clear and personal by saying, “Thou art my God.” The situation is one of distress, as seen in the rest of the psalm, where David faces threats from enemies. Here, David’s words highlight both his dependence on God and his belief that God hears the sincere prayers (“supplications”) of those who trust Him.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 140:6

• LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name for God in the Hebrew Bible, used here to show David’s direct and intimate address to God, not just a general term for deity.
• God (אֵל, El): This word emphasizes God’s power and might, reminding the reader that David is appealing to the one who is strong enough to help.
• Supplications (תְּחִנָּה, teḥinnah): This word means earnest, humble requests for mercy or favor, showing that David’s prayer is not just routine but comes from deep need.

Why Psalms 140:6 matters

• This verse clears up any idea that prayer is only formal or distant; David’s words are personal and urgent, showing that anyone can speak honestly and directly to God.
• The verse emphasizes that God is not just a distant ruler but someone who listens to individual cries for help, especially in hard times.
• In the context of the whole psalm, this verse is a turning point where David shifts from describing his troubles to actively seeking God’s help, modeling honest faith in crisis.