To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

PSALMS 61:1KJV
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Psalms 61:1 (KJV)

What does Psalms 61:1 mean?

Psalms 61:1 opens with David calling on God to give attention to his urgent appeal. The verse presents the prayer as a direct address to God, rather than as a description of God spoken to other people.

The heading identifies the song as a psalm of David and gives directions to the chief Musician. The request for a hearing introduces the more specific appeal that follows in verse 2.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 61:1

  • “Neginah” — נְגִינָה (neginah): This word is often understood as referring to music played on a stringed instrument. The heading thus gives a musical direction rather than naming a person.
  • “cry” — רִנָּה (rinnah): This word can describe a ringing cry or a shout. Here, alongside “prayer,” it gives David’s appeal the sound of an intense call for attention.
  • “attend” — קָשַׁב (qashav): This word carries the sense of listening closely or paying attention. David asks God not merely to hear a sound, but to give heed to his prayer.

Why Psalms 61:1 matters

  • The heading shows that the prayer was also prepared for musical use. Its direction to the “chief Musician” places David’s personal words in a setting where others could sing or hear them.
  • David’s opening prepares the reader for a plea made under strain. Verse 2 adds that his “heart is overwhelmed,” giving a reason for the urgent address in verse 1.
  • The two requests in verse 1 belong together: “Hear my cry” and “attend unto my prayer” both address God directly. The pairing gives the opening a deliberate, repeated rhythm.

Where else these words appear

“Neginah” Hebrew H5058 · used in 14 verses

  • Job 30:9 And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword.
  • Psalms 55:1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
  • Psalms 77:6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.

“cry” Hebrew H7440 · used in 33 verses

  • 1 Kings 8:28 Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:
  • Psalms 106:44 Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:
  • Isaiah 43:14 Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.

“attend” Hebrew H7181 · used in 45 verses

  • 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
  • Proverbs 2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
  • Isaiah 49:1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.

“Musician” Hebrew H5329 · used in 65 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 15:21 And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel.
  • Psalms 22:1 To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
  • Psalms 60:1 To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.