Psalms · Chapter 116 · Prayer
Psalms 116:1 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
Read this verse slowly. Let it settle before you move on.
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"I love Yahweh, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy."
KJV · King James Version
"I love157 the LORD3068, because he hath heard8085 my voice6963 and my supplications8469."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses the, lord, hath, heard, while the WEB renders these as yahweh, listens, cries, for. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
Psalms 116:1 in Psalms 116
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Psalms 116:1 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Psalms 116. Read the full chapter →
- v.1 I love Yahweh, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy.
- v.2 Because he has turned his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
- v.3 The cords of death surrounded me, the pains of Sheol got a hold of me. I found trouble and sorrow.
Book background
About the Book of Psalms
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Genre
- Hebrew poetry
- Author
- David (73 psalms), Asaph, Sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, others
- Date written
- c. 1410–430 BC (compiled over a millennium)
- Audience
- All of Israel's worshipping community — and the church
- Chapters
- 150
The Psalms are 150 inspired songs and prayers covering every emotion the human heart knows — praise, lament, confession, thanksgiving, anger, longing. About half are attributed to David. The book is divided into five "books," each ending with a doxology. The Psalms shape Christian prayer more than any other Old Testament book and are quoted in the New Testament more than any other.
Setting: 150 sacred songs used in temple worship; the Bible's songbook.
Key themes: worship · lament · trust · kingship · thanksgiving
Memorisation aid
How to memorise Psalms 116:1
Psalms 116:1 contains 14 words in 3 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
I love Yahweh
ILY
- 2
because he listens to my voice
BHLTMV
- 3
and my cries for mercy.
AMCFM
Frequently asked
FAQ about Psalms 116:1
What does Psalms 116:1 say?
Psalms 116:1 reads: "I love Yahweh, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy." — from the Old Testament, Psalms (Hebrew poetry). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is Psalms 116:1 in?
Psalms 116:1 is in the book of Psalms, traditionally attributed to David (73 psalms), Asaph, Sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, others and written around c. 1410–430 BC (compiled over a millennium). Psalms is hebrew poetry in the Old Testament, originally addressed to All of Israel's worshipping community — and the church. Best known for Psalm 23 ("The LORD is my shepherd") and Psalm 51.
What is Psalms 116:1 about?
Psalms 116:1 is primarily a Bible verse about Prayer, with related themes including Gratitude. Within Psalms, The Psalms are 150 inspired songs and prayers covering every emotion the human heart knows — praise, lament, confession, thanksgiving, anger, longing. Read the full passage above with surrounding context.
What is the difference between Psalms 116:1 in WEB and KJV?
Psalms 116:1 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "I love Yahweh, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "I love157 the LORD3068, because he hath heard8085 my voice6963 and my supplications8469.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is Psalms 116:1?
Psalms 116:1 is 14 words in the WEB translation (70 characters), broken into 3 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 4 seconds.
How can I memorise Psalms 116:1?
To memorise Psalms 116:1, split it into its 3 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does Psalms 116:1 matter in Psalms?
The Psalms are 150 inspired songs and prayers covering every emotion the human heart knows — praise, lament, confession, thanksgiving, anger, longing. About half are attributed to David. The book is divided into five "books," each ending with a doxology. The Psalms shape Christian prayer more than any other Old Testament book and are quoted in the New Testament more than any other. Psalms 116:1 sits within this larger story — Psalms as a whole emphasises worship, lament, trust.
How can I apply Psalms 116:1 today?
Many readers use Psalms 116:1 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Psalms 116:1 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
More designs
10 verses to read next
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Philippians 4:6-7
“In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which sur…”
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Matthew 7:7
““Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.”
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2 Chronicles 7:14
“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, will fo…”
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Matthew 6:9
“Pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.”
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James 5:16
“Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.”
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James 5:14-15
“Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the pra…”
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Psalms 19:14
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer.”
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Psalms 34:4
“I sought Yahweh, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.”
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Psalms 51:10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.”
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Jeremiah 33:3
“‘Call to me, and I will answer you, and will show you great things, and difficult, which you don’t know.’”
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Psalms 23:1
“A Psalm by David. Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
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Psalm 23:1
“Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
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Psalms 23:4
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
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Psalms 27:1
“By David. Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?”
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