Psalm 116:1
New International Version
I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.

New Living Translation
I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy.

English Standard Version
I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.

Berean Standard Bible
I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice—my appeal for mercy.

King James Bible
I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

New King James Version
I love the LORD, because He has heard My voice and my supplications.

New American Standard Bible
I love the LORD, because He hears My voice and my pleas.

NASB 1995
I love the LORD, because He hears My voice and my supplications.

NASB 1977
I Love the LORD, because He hears My voice and my supplications.

Legacy Standard Bible
I love Yahweh, because He hears My voice and my supplications.

Amplified Bible
I love the LORD, because He hears [and continues to hear] My voice and my supplications (my pleas, my cries, my specific needs).

Christian Standard Bible
I love the LORD because he has heard my appeal for mercy.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I love the LORD because He has heard my appeal for mercy.

American Standard Version
I love Jehovah, because he heareth My voice and my supplications.

Contemporary English Version
I love you, LORD! You answered my prayers.

English Revised Version
I LOVE the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I love the LORD because he hears my voice, my pleas for mercy.

Good News Translation
I love the LORD, because he hears me; he listens to my prayers.

International Standard Version
I love the LORD because he has heard my prayer for mercy;

Majority Standard Bible
I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice?my appeal for mercy.

NET Bible
I love the LORD because he heard my plea for mercy,

New Heart English Bible
I love the LORD, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy.

Webster's Bible Translation
I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

World English Bible
I love Yahweh, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I have loved, because YHWH hears My voice, my supplication,

Young's Literal Translation
I have loved, because Jehovah heareth My voice, my supplication,

Smith's Literal Translation
I Loved, for Jehovah will hear the voice of my supplication.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I have loved, because the Lord will hear the voice of my prayer.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Alleluia. I have loved: therefore, the Lord will heed the voice of my prayer.

New American Bible
I love the LORD, who listened to my voice in supplication,

New Revised Standard Version
I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my supplications.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I LOVE the LORD, because he will hear the voice of my supplication.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I have loved LORD JEHOVAH who will hear the voice of my prayer.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I love that the LORD should hear My voice and my supplications.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Alleluia. I am well pleased, because the Lord will hearken to the voice of my supplication.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD Has Heard My Voice
1I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice— my appeal for mercy. 2Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.…

Cross References
Psalm 18:1-3
For the choirmaster. Of David the servant of the LORD, who sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: I love You, O LORD, my strength. / The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. / I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.

Psalm 40:1-3
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry. / He lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm. / He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.

Psalm 34:4-6
I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. / Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed. / This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.

Psalm 66:19-20
But God has surely heard; He has attended to the sound of my prayer. / Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld from me His loving devotion!

Psalm 118:5
In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered and set me free.

Psalm 145:18-19
The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth. / He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.

Psalm 6:8-9
Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for the LORD has heard my weeping. / The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.

Psalm 31:22
In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from Your sight!” But You heard my plea for mercy when I called to You for help.

Psalm 56:9
Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side.

Psalm 91:15
When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him.

Isaiah 38:5
“Go and tell Hezekiah that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.

Jonah 2:2
saying: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the belly of Sheol I called for help, and You heard my voice.

1 Samuel 1:27
I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him,

2 Samuel 22:7
In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried out to my God. And from His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for help reached His ears.

Lamentations 3:55-57
I called on Your name, O LORD, out of the depths of the Pit. / You heard my plea: “Do not ignore my cry for relief.” / You drew near when I called on You; You said, “Do not be afraid.”


Treasury of Scripture

I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my supplications.

A.

love

Psalm 18:1-5
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength…

Psalm 119:132
Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

Mark 12:33
And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

because

Psalm 18:6
In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

Psalm 31:22,23
For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee…

Psalm 34:3,4
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together…

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Psalm 116
1. The psalmist professes his love and duty to God for his deliverance
12. He studies to be thankful














I love the LORD
The opening phrase of Psalm 116:1, "I love the LORD," sets the tone for the entire psalm. The Hebrew word for "love" here is "אָהַב" (ahav), which conveys a deep, personal affection and commitment. This is not a superficial or fleeting emotion but a profound, covenantal love that reflects the psalmist's relationship with God. In the context of ancient Israel, love for the LORD was not merely an emotional response but an integral part of the covenant relationship between God and His people. This love is rooted in gratitude and reverence, acknowledging God's faithfulness and mercy.

for He has heard my voice
The phrase "for He has heard my voice" emphasizes the personal and responsive nature of God. The Hebrew word for "heard" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which means to listen or give attention to. This implies that God is not distant or indifferent but actively engaged in the lives of His people. The psalmist's confidence in God's attentiveness is a testament to the intimate relationship between the Creator and His creation. Historically, this assurance of being heard would have been a source of immense comfort and strength to the Israelites, who often faced trials and adversities.

my appeal for mercy
The concluding phrase, "my appeal for mercy," highlights the psalmist's recognition of his need for God's grace. The Hebrew word for "appeal" is "תַּחֲנוּן" (tachanun), which can also be translated as supplication or plea. This word conveys a sense of earnestness and humility, acknowledging human frailty and dependence on divine compassion. The concept of mercy, or "חֶסֶד" (chesed), is central to the Hebrew understanding of God's character. It encompasses loving-kindness, steadfast love, and covenantal faithfulness. In the broader scriptural context, God's mercy is a recurring theme, underscoring His willingness to forgive and restore those who seek Him with a contrite heart.

(1) I love the Lord.--Besides this rendering, where Jehovah is supplied as an object, this poet being given to use verbs without an object (see Psalm 116:2; Psalm 116:10), there are two other possible translations.

1. I have longed that Jehovah should hear, &c--For this meaning of the verb to love see Jeremiah 5:31, Amos 4:5; and for the construction see Psalm 27:4-6. So the Syriac and Arabic versions. . . .

Verses 1, 2. - An introduction, in which the writer declares his love to God, and his resolution to call on him continually, on ac count of his having been delivered from an imminent peril. Verse 1. - I love the Lord, because he hath heard; literally, I love, because the Lord (Jehovah) hath heard. The object of this love is not expressed, but can only be Jehovah. Still, the grammatical construction is unusual, and has caused the suggestion of an emendation. For אהבתי Professor Cheyne would read האמנתי as at the beginning of ver. 10. My voice and my supplications; literally, my voice, my supplications - the latter expression being exegetical of the former.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I love
אָ֭הַבְתִּי (’ā·haḇ·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

the LORD,
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

He has heard
יִשְׁמַ֥ע ׀ (yiš·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

my voice—
ק֝וֹלִ֗י (qō·w·lî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

my appeal for mercy.
תַּחֲנוּנָֽי׃ (ta·ḥă·nū·nāy)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8469: Supplication for favor


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OT Poetry: Psalm 116:1 I love Yahweh because he listens (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 115:18
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