Give Ear to My Words O Lord (Hymn)

Give Ear to My Words, O Lord is a heartfelt hymn rooted in Psalm 5, expressing a plea for God’s attentive ear, a recognition of His righteousness, and the joy of trusting in Him. The lyrics reflect themes of prayer, divine justice, and the assurance of God’s protection for the righteous. This song reminds believers of the importance of seeking God daily and finding refuge in His unfailing love.

VERSE 1
Give ear to my words, O Lord,
Consider my meditation.
Give heed to the voice of my cry,
My King and my God, For to You I will pray.
My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.

VERSE 2
For You are not a God
Who takes pleasure in wickedness,
Nor shall evil dwell with You.
The boastful shall not stand in Your sight;
You hate all workers of iniquity.
You shall destroy those who speak falsehood;
The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty
and deceitful man.

VERSE 3
But as for me, I will come into
Your house in the multitude of Your mercy;
In fear of You I will worship
toward Your holy temple.
Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness
because of my enemies;
Make Your way straight before my face.

VERSE 4
For there is no faithfulness in their mouth;
Their inward part is destruction;
Their throat is an open tomb;
They flatter with their tongue.
Pronounce them guilty, O God!
Let them fall by their own counsels;
Cast them out in the multitude
Of their transgressions,
For they have rebelled against You.

VERSE 5
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.
For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;
With favor You will surround him as with a shield.

Story behind Give Ear to My Words O Lord Hymn

​”Give Ear to My Words, O Lord” is a hymn directly inspired by Psalm 5, traditionally attributed to King David. The psalm reflects a heartfelt plea for divine guidance and protection, themes that have resonated with believers throughout history.​ [1]

In 1975, musician Bill Sprouse Jr. composed a contemporary musical setting for this psalm. His rendition was featured in the Maranatha! Music Praise 5 series, a collection known for its role in the Jesus Movement, which sought to express biblical texts through modern melodies.

Tragically, Sprouse passed away shortly after the song’s release, marking this composition as one of his final contributions to Christian music. [2]

The song’s cover art depicted a young soda jerk relaxing in a jukebox joint after hours, capturing the era’s cultural milieu. Over the years, this hymn has been embraced in various worship settings, appreciated for its direct scriptural lyrics and meditative melody.​

For those interested in experiencing this piece, a rendition by Maranatha! Music is available, offering insight into its enduring appeal. ​