What Does Psalm 6:9 Mean in the King James?
The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.
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 supplication is already a plea for favor, and here that plea is heard and taken in.
THE MEANING
Your plea is heard by the LORD, and your prayer is received as something taken in. The first clause names attention already given; the second holds out reception as a promise still unfolding.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that an unanswered moment means an unheard prayer: the verse holds hearing as already true while reception is still promised.
THE ROOT
תְּחִנָּה
teḥinnah
GROWS FROM
חנן
to show favor, be gracious
“supplication” in this verse is teḥinnah. תְּחִנָּה (teḥinnah, plea for favor) grows from חנן (ḥānan, to show favor); the petition carries its appeal inside the word. The verse joins that appeal to divine hearing and reception, so favor is close to the act of asking.
ALSO GROWS
ḥēn: favor, graciousness
חֵן
This branch reveals the favor sought within the supplication.
ḥānan: show favor, be gracious
חָנַן
The verb names the quality the plea appeals to.
שָׁמַע
shāmaʿ
GROWS FROM
שמע
š-m-ʿ
to hear, listen, heed
“heard” in this verse is shāmaʿ. Here שָׁמַע (shāmaʿ, hear or heed) names attentive hearing; paired with the LORD’s promised receiving, it shows prayer as communication that reaches its hearer. The root holds listening close to taking something seriously.
ALSO GROWS
shemaʿ: hear and respond
שְׁמַע
This familiar form shows the root’s sense of hearing that engages with what is heard.
shemuʿah: report, news; something heard
שְׁמוּעָה
This branch makes hearing the beginning of a message that can be received and carried.
THE PATTERN
A cry voiced in need meets the LORD’s hearing, which holds the promise of response.
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:THE THREAD
But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.Psalm 4:3 uses the same root שָׁמַע (shāmaʿ, hear or heed): the LORD will hear the speaker’s call. Read beside Psalm 6:9, the verses hold hearing and receiving together as one movement.
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