Skip to main content
Psalmlog Logo
Read

Psalm 116:1

I love the LORD, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy.

1I love the LORD, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy.
2Because he has turned his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
3The cords of death surrounded me, the pains of Sheol got a hold of me. I found trouble and sorrow.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →
Psalm 116:2 →
Notice

Love for YHWH takes a concrete shape here: the speaker knows that even cries for mercy reach a God who listens.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

What comes to mind when you connect love for God with being heard by him?

Write on this

What cry for mercy would you want God to hear today?

Write on this
Connect

Where else Scripture says this

12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
1 John 4:19We love him, because he first loved us.Both verses name a reason for loving God: the psalm names his listening, and John names his love that came first.
Psalm 66:19–20But most certainly, God has listened. He has heard the voice of my prayer.Both psalms testify that God hears the speaker's voice in prayer.
1 John 5:2–3By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments.Both passages speak of love for God; Psalm 116 names his listening, while John connects love with keeping his commandments.
Psalm 34:3–4Oh magnify the LORD with me. Let’s exalt his name together.Both psalms express devotion to the LORD: one declares love because he listens, and the other urges shared praise.
John 16:24Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.Both passages concern prayer: the psalmist speaks of being heard, and Jesus tells his hearers to ask in his name.
Mark 12:33and to love him with all the heart, with all the understanding, all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important …Both passages speak of loving God; the psalm names a reason, while Mark describes love involving the whole person.
Psalm 69:33For the LORD hears the needy, and doesn’t despise his captive people.The LORD's hearing is central to both verses: he listens to cries for mercy and hears the needy.
Job 22:27You will make your prayer to him, and he will hear you. You will pay your vows.Both speak of God hearing prayer: the psalmist testifies to it, while Eliphaz tells Job to expect it.
Psalm 40:1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. I waited patiently for the LORD. He turned to me, and heard my cry.Both psalms speak of the LORD hearing a cry; Psalm 40 also names the waiting that preceded being heard.
Genesis 35:2Then Jacob said to his household, and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments.The link is limited: Psalm 116 expresses love for the LORD; Jacob tells his household to remove foreign gods.
1 Kings 9:3The LORD said to him, “I have heard your prayer and your supplication that you have made before me. I have made this house holy, which you have built, to put …Both passages name prayer that God hears: the psalmist's cries for mercy and Solomon's prayer and supplication.
John 21:17He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have …Both passages voice love for the Lord: the psalmist links love with being heard, while Peter appeals to Jesus' knowledge.
Where this verse fits

Answered prayer. gratitude. wanting a steady prayer habit.

What the Bible says about gratitude →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Speak one cry for mercy aloud tonight

prayeroncelight
Encouragement

Your cry for mercy has a place in prayer. The speaker's love grows from this assurance: YHWH listens to a voice raised from trouble and sorrow.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 116:1. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 116 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).