Psalm 5:1, "Give ear to my words, Yahweh. Consider my meditation," is a plea for God to pay attention to the psalmist's prayer and thoughts. Let's break it down:

"Give ear to my words, Yahweh": This is a direct and urgent request to God (referred to by his covenant name, Yahweh). "Give ear" is a figurative expression meaning "listen attentively" or "pay close attention." The psalmist isn't just asking God to hear the sounds of his voice, but to understand the meaning and intent behind his words.

"Consider my meditation": Here, "meditation" refers to the thoughts, feelings, and reflections that are swirling in the psalmist's mind and heart. It's not just the words spoken aloud, but also the unspoken concerns, anxieties, hopes, and desires. "Consider" means the psalmist wants God to not just passively observe these thoughts, but to weigh them, understand them, and take them into account.

In essence, the verse means:

"Please, God, listen carefully to my prayer."
"Pay attention not just to what I say, but also to the thoughts and feelings I'm struggling with internally."
"Understand the deeper meaning behind my words and my unspoken concerns."
"Respond to my whole being, both spoken and unspoken."

Key takeaways:

Intimacy: The psalmist is speaking to God with a personal and intimate tone, expecting a direct and attentive response.
Honesty: The psalmist is presenting his whole self to God, not just curated words, but also his inner turmoil.
Dependence: The psalmist recognizes his need for God's understanding and intervention.
Prayer Beyond Words: The verse highlights that prayer is not limited to spoken words but involves the totality of one's thoughts, emotions, and inner life.

This verse is a powerful reminder that prayer is a conversation with God that involves our whole being, and that we can trust God to hear and understand even the thoughts and feelings we can't put into words.