Prayer is a profound experience that exists on two distinct levels: the words spoken aloud and the silent thoughts held deep within the heart. King David approaches God, seeking a response to both dimensions of this spiritual encounter. He begins by asking God to listen to and accept the words leaving his mouth [מצודת ציון, שטיינזלץ]. However, true prayer requires more than just speech; it demands a complete harmony between what is said externally and what is felt inside [מלבי"ם]. Therefore, the plea expands, asking God to deeply understand [רש"י, אבן עזרא, שטיינזלץ] the hidden intentions and silent meditations of the mind [רד"ק, מצודת דוד, מלבי"ם]. The primary approach among commentators is to view these requests as a parallel: one addresses the external voice, while the other speaks to the hidden reality of the soul, asking God to receive both the spoken prayer and the unspoken feeling [שטיינזלץ, מצודת דוד]. Alternatively, this duality might simply be a literary tool, repeating the same plea in different words to emphasize the depth of the request [מאירי].
Beyond a single, unified prayer, this plea reflects two very different emotional states a person might experience when standing before God. In moments of strength and clarity, a person can easily form their needs into clear, spoken words. Yet, there are times of deep sadness and overwhelming worry when the heart is too heavy, and a person lacks the strength to pray aloud. In those moments of complete silence, the request is for God to understand the silent pain and unformed thoughts that simply cannot be expressed [רש"י, מאירי].
Another perspective focuses on the moments just before praying, when a person first organizes their thoughts and prepares their words. During this preparation phase, a person's focus and inner intention are usually at their peak. The danger is that once the actual prayer begins, the words might become mechanical and the original meaning lost. King David asks God to accept his prayer based on the pure, focused intention he had while preparing his words, even if that focus fades during the prayer itself [אלשיך].
Finally, attributing human actions like listening or understanding to God is not meant to be taken literally. God has no need for physical ears, and He is already fully aware of every human thought. Using human language in this way is actually a request for action. It is a plea for God to answer the prayer in a clear, visible manner, proving to everyone that He has indeed heard and accepted the request [אבן עזרא, מאירי].