Bible Strands
Psalms 116:1
I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice—my appeal for mercy.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses Yahweh directly, declaring love in response to having been heard in a cry for mercy. The immediate context (v. 2) shows this declaration grounds a vow of lifelong calling on Him.
The words — תַּחֲנוּנַי (taḥănûnāy, H8469) means "supplications" and carries the sense of urgent, repeated pleading—stronger than ordinary prayer. The perfect אָהַבְתִּי (ʾahavtî) marks love as a settled decision, not a passing emotion.
The thread — 1 John 4:19 inverts the sequence ("we love because He first loved us"), while Psalms 66:19 parallels the hearing of prayer. 1 John 5:2 grounds love for God in obedience rather than sentiment.
Why it lands — The verse asks the reader to see love for God as a response to His faithfulness in hearing, not a prerequisite for access. It is a decision made in light of evidence, not a feeling to be manufactured.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
Cross-references
- 1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us.
- Psalms 66:19 But God has surely heard; He has attended to the sound of my prayer.
- 1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments.
- Psalms 34:3 Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together.
- John 16:24 Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
- Psalms 69:33 For the LORD listens to the needy and does not despise His captive people.
- Mark 12:33 and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. This is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
- Psalms 40:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry.
- Genesis 35:2 So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your garments.
- Psalms 119:132 Turn to me and show me mercy, as You do to those who love Your name.