What does "attend to me and answer me" reveal about God's responsiveness? \Setting the Scene: Psalm 55:2\ “Attend to me and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and distraught.” \God’s Attentive Ear\ • “Attend” in Hebrew (qāšab) means “incline the ear, give undivided attention.” • David’s choice of word pictures God bending toward him, not passively—but actively, lovingly tuned in. • Scripture repeatedly confirms this posture: – Psalm 34:15 – “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.” – 1 Peter 3:12 – “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their prayer.” \The Double Request: Attend and Answer\ • “Attend” asks for God’s focus. • “Answer” (ʿānan) seeks a concrete reply, not vague comfort. • Together they underline two sides of responsiveness: – Hearing (awareness). – Acting (intervention). • David believes both are guaranteed because God’s covenant love obligates Him to hear and respond (Exodus 2:24; Psalm 50:15). \A Cry Grounded in Covenant\ • The psalmist can be this direct because God has already pledged Himself to His people (Deuteronomy 7:9). • Biblical faith is never a gamble; it rests on a sworn promise. • Isaiah 65:24 echoes the certainty: “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” \What This Reveals About God’s Responsiveness\ 1. Personal: God is not an impersonal force; He relates person-to-person. 2. Immediate: The language implies urgency—God is willing now, not later (Psalm 69:17). 3. Complete: From listening ear to delivering hand, He covers the whole need (Psalm 18:6, 16). 4. Compassionate: He is moved by our distress; David expects empathy, not indifference (Psalm 103:13-14). 5. Faith-inviting: Because God hears and answers, believers can approach with boldness (Hebrews 4:16). \Scriptural Echoes of Divine Responsiveness\ • 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If My people…pray…I will hear from heaven and forgive.” • Psalm 91:15 – “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble.” • Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things.” \Living in Light of His Responsiveness\ • Pray plainly; David models honest, unfiltered speech. • Expect specifically; ask for both attentive listening and tangible action. • Rest confidently; God’s track record of answered prayer fuels assurance today. “Attend to me and answer me” is more than a plea—it is a reminder that the God of Scripture leans in, listens closely, and acts decisively for His people. |
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