What Does Psalm 140:6 Mean in the King James?
I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
A plea for favor is not outside the relationship: the speaker says “Thou art my God” before asking to be heard.
THE MEANING
You name the LORD as your God while your need remains audible. “Supplications” carries the sense of pleas for favor, so the request itself is an appeal to favor.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that needing to plead means you stand outside the relationship: the speaker calls the LORD “my God” in the very sentence of asking.
THE ROOT
תַּחֲנוּנָי
taḥănûnay
GROWS FROM
חנן
ḥānan
to show favor, to grant favor
The Hebrew word is “my pleas for favor,” rooted in חנן (ḥānan), “to show favor.” English can make “supplications” sound like a type of speech; the root keeps the appeal for favor audible inside the word.
ALSO GROWS
ḥēn: favor
חֵן
This branch makes explicit the favor sought within the supplication.
ḥannûn: favor-giving, gracious
חַנּוּן
The same root describes one who shows favor, connecting the plea with the nature of the one addressed.
THE PATTERN
A plea can be spoken from belonging: the voice names its relationship as it makes its need known.
I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.THE THREAD
I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.Psalm 116:1 uses the same Hebrew word תַּחֲנוּנָי (taḥănûnay, “my pleas for favor”) beside “my voice,” as Psalm 140:6 does. The shared root makes both verses present supplication as a voiced appeal for favor.
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