The term "hearest" is an archaic form of the verb "hear," commonly found in older English translations of the Bible, including the King James Version. It is a second person singular form, typically used in addressing God or individuals directly. In the context of the Bible, "hearest" signifies the act of listening or giving attention, often in a spiritual or divine sense.

Biblical Usage

1. Divine Attention: The concept of God hearing His people is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures. It underscores the belief in a personal God who is attentive to the prayers and cries of His followers. For instance, in Psalm 65:2 , it is written, "O You who hear prayer, to You all men will come." This verse highlights the assurance that God listens to the supplications of humanity.

2. Human Responsibility: The Bible also emphasizes the responsibility of individuals to hear and obey God's word. In the New Testament, Jesus frequently uses the phrase "He who has ears to hear, let him hear" (e.g., Matthew 11:15), urging His listeners to not only hear His teachings but to understand and act upon them.

3. Interpersonal Communication: The term is also used in the context of human interactions, where listening is a key component of understanding and wisdom. Proverbs 18:13 states, "He who answers before he hears—this is folly and disgrace to him." This proverb highlights the importance of listening fully before responding, a principle that is applicable in both spiritual and everyday life.

Theological Implications

· God's Omniscience: The assurance that God hears is tied to His omniscience and omnipresence. Believers find comfort in knowing that their prayers and cries do not go unnoticed. This is evident in 1 John 5:14 , which states, "And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."

· Prayer and Faith: The act of praying with the belief that God hears is fundamental to the Christian faith. James 5:16 encourages believers by stating, "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail." This underscores the efficacy of prayer when offered in faith and righteousness.

· Judgment and Accountability: The Bible also warns that God hears not only prayers but also words spoken in secret or in malice. Ecclesiastes 12:14 reminds believers, "For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil." This serves as a reminder of the accountability that comes with the knowledge that God hears all.

Practical Application

In practical terms, the concept of "hearest" encourages believers to cultivate a life of prayer, knowing that God is attentive to their needs and concerns. It also calls for a disciplined approach to listening, both to God's word and to others, fostering a community built on understanding and compassion. The assurance that God hears should inspire confidence and perseverance in the faith journey, motivating believers to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

Seventeenth Lesson. I Know that Thou Hearest Me Always;'
... SEVENTEENTH LESSON. I know that Thou hearest me always;'. I know that Thou hearest
me always;' ... And I knew that Thou hearest me always.'"John 11:41, 42. ...
/.../murray/with christ in the school of prayer/seventeenth lesson i know that.htm

Pilate Says to Jesus: Hearest Thou what These Testify against Thee ...
... Part I."The Acts of Pilate. Second Greek Form. Chapter 2. Pilate says
to Jesus: Hearest thou what these testify against thee? ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 2 pilate says to.htm

"O Thou, that Hearest Prayer!" --Ps. Lxv. 2
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN LXVIII. "O Thou, that hearest Prayer!""Ps. lxv. 2. 8.6.8.6
James Montgomery. "O Thou, that hearest Prayer!""Psalm 65:2. ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn lxviii o thou that.htm

John iii. 6
... next. And He saith of it,. "Thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not
tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth.". Though He ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxvi john iii 6.htm

A Nightly Prayer. 1831.
... O, thou, who hast revealed thyself in thy holy word as a God that hearest prayer;
before whose infinitude all differences cease of great and small; who like a ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/a nightly prayer 1831.htm

But Perhaps Some one is Alarmed at Hearing us Discourse of the ...
... Presently thou wilt see Him of Whose death thou hearest once more immortal;
for the death to which He submits is about to spoil death. ...
/.../16 but perhaps some one.htm

Psalm XLIII.
... Pray thou for what thou hearest; pray for it when thou hearest it; let these words
be the voice of us all: "O send out Thy Light and Thy Truth. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xliii.htm

John xi. 41, 42
... John xi. 41, 42. John xi.41, 42 "Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, Father, I thank
Thee that Thou hast heard Me; and I knew that Thou hearest Me always, but ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxiv john xi 41.htm

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit as Revealed in his Names.
... The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst
not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter v the person and.htm

The Fruits of the Spirit.
... The wind bloweth whither it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst
not tell whence it cometh, or whither it goeth: so is every one that is born ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon vi the fruits of.htm

Dwelling-place (38 Occurrences)
... of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place:
yea, hear thou in heaven thy dwelling-place; and when thou hearest, forgive. ...
/d/dwelling-place.htm - 17k

Mulberry-trees (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 5:24 And it shall be, when thou hearest the sound of marching in the tops
of the mulberry-trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself; for then is ...
/m/mulberry-trees.htm - 7k

Hearest (18 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hearest (18 Occurrences). Matthew 21:16 And said
unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith ...
/h/hearest.htm - 11k

Yea (867 Occurrences)
... or tribute? from their sons, or from strangers? (ASV). Matthew 21:16 And
said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith ...
/y/yea.htm - 37k

Listeth (2 Occurrences)
... John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof,
but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that ...
/l/listeth.htm - 7k

Whither (151 Occurrences)
... John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof,
but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that ...
/w/whither.htm - 40k

Inquiry (15 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 17:4 and it be told thee, and thou hearest of it; then thou shalt make
thorough inquiry, and if it be truth and the thing be certain, that this ...
/i/inquiry.htm - 11k

Thereof (845 Occurrences)
... John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof,
but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that ...
/t/thereof.htm - 35k

Thorough (7 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 17:4 and it be told thee, and thou hearest of it; then thou shalt make
thorough inquiry, and if it be truth and the thing be certain, that this ...
/t/thorough.htm - 9k

Day-time (11 Occurrences)
... (ASV JPS WBS). Psalms 22:2 O my God, I cry in the day-time, but thou hearest
not; and in the night season, and am not silent. (WBS). ...
/d/day-time.htm - 9k

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