Because He has inclined His ear to me
This phrase emphasizes God's attentiveness and willingness to listen to the prayers of His people. In the ancient Near Eastern context, gods were often seen as distant and unapproachable, but the God of Israel is depicted as personal and caring. The imagery of God inclining His ear suggests a deliberate action, indicating His readiness to hear and respond. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and His people, where He promises to be attentive to their cries (Exodus 2:24). The idea of God listening is also echoed in other Psalms, such as Psalm 34:15, which states that the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry.

I will call on Him
The psalmist's response to God's attentiveness is a commitment to prayer. Calling on God is a recurring theme in the Psalms and throughout Scripture, signifying reliance on God's power and faithfulness. This act of calling is not just a one-time event but a continual practice, reflecting a life of dependence on God. The phrase also connects to the broader biblical narrative where calling on the name of the Lord is associated with worship and seeking divine intervention (Genesis 4:26, Joel 2:32). It underscores the importance of prayer as a means of maintaining a relationship with God.

as long as I live
This phrase indicates a lifelong commitment to seeking God. It suggests that the psalmist's relationship with God is not based on temporary circumstances but is a permanent aspect of his life. This lifelong dedication is a common theme in the wisdom literature, where the fear of the Lord and obedience to His commandments are seen as the path to a blessed life (Proverbs 3:1-2). The phrase also implies perseverance in faith, regardless of life's challenges, and reflects the biblical call to remain steadfast in one's devotion to God (Hebrews 10:23).

1. The Psalmist
The author of Psalm 116, traditionally believed to be King David, though the specific identity is not definitively known. The psalmist expresses personal gratitude and devotion to God.

2. God
The central figure in this verse, depicted as a compassionate listener who inclines His ear to the psalmist's prayers.

3. The Act of Prayer
The event of calling upon God, which is a central theme in this verse, highlighting the relationship between the psalmist and God.God's Attentiveness
God is not distant or indifferent; He actively listens to our prayers. This should encourage us to approach Him with confidence and regularity.

Commitment to Prayer
The psalmist's vow to call on God "as long as I live" serves as a model for lifelong devotion and reliance on God through prayer.

The Personal Nature of God
The imagery of God inclining His ear suggests a personal and intimate relationship. We are invited to experience this closeness with God in our own lives.

Response to God's Faithfulness
Recognizing God's faithfulness in hearing our prayers should inspire gratitude and a deeper commitment to Him.

Encouragement in Times of Trouble
Knowing that God listens can provide comfort and strength during difficult times, encouraging us to persist in prayer.1. What is the meaning of Psalm 116:2?

2. How does Psalm 116:2 encourage us to call on God in prayer?

3. What does "He has inclined His ear" reveal about God's nature?

4. How can we apply the promise of Psalm 116:2 in daily life?

5. Which other scriptures emphasize God's attentiveness to our prayers?

6. How does Psalm 116:2 inspire confidence in God's responsiveness to our needs?

7. How does Psalm 116:2 influence our understanding of God's attentiveness to prayer?

8. What historical context surrounds the writing of Psalm 116:2?

9. How does Psalm 116:2 challenge our perception of divine intervention?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 116?

11. What is the Invocation Prayer?

12. What does 'incline your ear' mean?

13. How do we explain the anthropomorphic language in Exodus 33:22-23 where God shows Moses only His back, suggesting that God has a physical form?

14. Psalm 116:1-2 claims God hears prayers--why then do many prayers seem to go unanswered?Because He has inclined His ear to me

• The psalmist begins with a fact: “He has inclined His ear to me” (Psalm 116:2). The image is of the Lord bending down, attentively listening to every plea.

• Scripture consistently portrays God as personally attentive. “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry” (Psalm 34:15). Peter echoes this in 1 Peter 3:12, confirming the same promise for believers today.

• This is not a one-time courtesy; it is God’s settled posture toward His people. Psalm 40:1 testifies, “I waited patiently for the LORD, and He inclined to me and heard my cry.”

• Knowing that the sovereign Creator stoops to hear us brings unshakable assurance. 2 Chronicles 7:15 adds, “Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place,” underscoring that God’s ear is purposefully, deliberately turned toward those who seek Him.

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I will call on Him

• Because the Lord listens, the psalmist’s natural response is, “I will call on Him.” Confidence in God’s willingness to hear inspires consistent prayer.

• Jeremiah 33:3 records God’s invitation: “Call to Me, and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things you do not know.” The relationship is interactive—God hears, we speak, and He responds.

• Psalm 50:15 pairs prayer with deliverance: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.” The rhythm is clear—need drives us to prayer, God’s answer leads to praise.

• This calling is not reserved for emergencies. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 urges, “Pray without ceasing,” making calling on God the continual heartbeat of the believer.

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as long as I live

• The commitment is lifelong. The psalmist vows enduring devotion: “as long as I live.” This phrase transforms prayer from an occasional act into a lifelong pattern.

• Psalm 63:4 captures the same resolve: “I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift my hands.”

• Daily dependence is emphasized in Psalm 145:2: “Every day I will bless You and praise Your name forever and ever.”

• Even in old age, the calling continues. Psalm 71:18 declares, “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, until I proclaim Your power to the next generation.”

• Revelation 5:13 pictures eternal praise, showing that a lifetime of calling on God here prepares us for endless worship there.

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summary

Psalm 116:2 unfolds a simple yet profound chain: God leans in to listen; therefore, we resolve to call on Him—not sporadically, but for the whole span of our lives. His attentive ear fuels our continual prayer, and our lifelong calling testifies to His unfailing faithfulness.

(2) If we take translation (1) of Psalm 116:1 this verse will state the ground of the longing to pray. "I have longed for Jehovah to hear me now, for He, as in past times, inclines His ear to me." The latter clause of the verse offers some difficulty. The literal rendering of the text, given by the LXX. and Vulg., is, "and in my days I will call (for help). But there is none." 2Kings 20:19 does not, as suggested, confirm the explanation "all the days of my life." It would seem more natural to take the text as an equivalent of the common phrase "in the day when I call" (Psalm 56:10; Psalm 102:3, &c), and render the verse:

For He inclines His ear to me,

And that in the day when I call.

Verse 2. - Because he hath inclined his ear unto me (compare the expression of Hezekiah in Isaiah 37:17, "Incline thine ear, O Lord, and hear"). Therefore will I call upon him as long as I live; literally, in my days - another expression attributed to Hezekiah in the history (Isaiah 39:8). Lifelong gratitude and praise are promised by Hezekiah to God in Isaiah 38:20.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

He has inclined
הִטָּ֣ה (hiṭ·ṭāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend

His ear
אָזְנ֣וֹ (’ā·zə·nōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 241: Broadness, the ear

to me,
לִ֑י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

I will call on Him
אֶקְרָֽא׃ (’eq·rā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

as long as I live.
וּבְיָמַ֥י (ū·ḇə·yā·may)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3117: A day


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OT Poetry: Psalm 116:2 Because he has turned his ear (Psalm Ps Psa.)