What does Psalm 116:2 mean?
What is the meaning of Psalm 116:2?

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.


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.


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.


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.

Why is the act of calling on the Lord significant in Psalm 116:1?
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