Incline Your Ear. The outstretched arm of the Lord to save (Exo. 6:6). The outstretched hand of the Lord to judge (Isa. 5:25). The outstretched tent, or tabernacle of the Lord to provide community (Exo. 33:7). These and many more uses of the verb, “incline, stretch, bend, extend” (Hebrew: natah) show God’s action to lean toward us. Joshua, therefore, does not hesitate to challenge the people of Israel to incline their hearts toward the Lord, which in the same action involves forsaking their persistent pursuit of idols (Josh. 24:23). But one of the most prevalent ways that God stretches, inclines, bends, extends himself toward us is when we pray. Within the imagery of natah, God cups his ears, so to speak, to listen intently to his children when we call upon him in faith, and sometimes out of desperation. Notice God’s active listening posture in verse 6 of Psalm 17 in direct contrast to the wicked ones who, in verse 11, incline, bend, stretch their eyes toward self-advancement at the expense of others.
1 Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to
my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
2 From your presence let my vindication come! Let your
eyes behold the right!
3 You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night,
you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth
will not transgress.
4 With regard to the works of man, by the word of your
lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have
not slipped.
6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my words.
7 Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those
who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the
shadow of your wings,
9 from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies
wh
10 They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths
they speak arrogantly.
11 They have now surrounded our steps; they set their
eyes to cast us to the ground.
12 He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion
lurking in ambush.
13 Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my
soul from the wicked by your sword,
14 from men by your hand, O LORD, from men of the world
whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure; they are
satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants.
15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.
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