John Gill Commentary Psalms 61:1

"Hear my cry, O God; Attend unto my prayer." — Psalms 61:1 (ASV)

Hear my cry, O God
Being in distress; and which was vocally expressed with great fervency and importunity;

attend unto my prayer ;
which psalm was made by him, and not for him; inwrought in his heart by the Spirit of God, and put up by him with a true heart and full assurance of faith, and related to his own case in particular. Aben Ezra thinks that the former word designs public prayer, vocally and openly expressed; and that this intends prayer in the heart, or mental prayer; both the Lord hears and attends unto, and is here requested; which is marvellous grace and condescension in him.