'You, YHWH, save humans and animals': God's response to the vocalized needs of non-human animals as portrayed in the Old Testament

Scholarship on the suffering of God and his response to the suffering and needs of humans abounds, but few consider the response of God to non-human suffering or needs. This investigation focuses on explicit portrayals of non-human (nh) animals calling out to God or in some way actively making their needs known, using verbs otherwise associated with human or divine speech.;God fulfills the needs of nh-animals when they cry for help. Non-human animals belong to God, and he provides for their physical needs when they look to him to feed and care for them. God is also depicted as orchestrating rescue from undeserved suffering when animals cry out. In addition, God satisfies the relational desires of all nh-animals beyond their physical needs, saving and preserving both humans and nh-animals as if they possess intrinsic value. The passages analyzed in chapters 2--4 suggest some sort of God/nh-animal relationship, since nh-animals are portrayed as waiting on God for their sustenance, being troubled when God hides himself from them, and even conversing with God.;The use of anthropocentric and anthropomorphic language by biblical authors does not suggest irreality concerning the portrayal of nh-animal relationships or speech. Personification and animation cannot be applied to animals of any sort, as only non-persons or inanimate objects can be animated or personified. The earth has a voice through the creatures that live on it, while all animals (human and non-human) have their own voices and/or means of communication. Both biblically and scientifically, nh-animals are understood to suffer, and to cry out for physical sustenance, deliverance from abuse, and/or restoration of relationship. The books of Job and the prophets put words in the mouths of various nh-animals, but this does not mean the nh-animals do not have their own thoughts to be expressed if they (and their mouths or voices) were actually capable of speaking human language.;God is portrayed relating to nh-animals in ways similar to his relating to humans. In a relationship continuum, humans are capable of the most intimate relationship with God, but nh-animals also seek God and participate, as much as they are able, in a relationship with him. While the exact nature of this continuum may never be fleshed out, it remains that all God's creatures are portrayed in the Hebrew Bible as witnessing to him as the creator, provider, and sustainer---the one who acts with fidelity toward all. God's works also showcase order and purpose, bringing him pleasure and beauty. Whatever is involved in relationships between God and humans, must also be involved in the relationships between God and nh-animals when they are portrayed in similar ways and using similar language.