Mine eyes prevent the [night] watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
Mine eyes {H5869} prevent {H6923} the night watches {H821}, that I might meditate {H7878} in thy word {H565}.
My eyes are open before the night watches, so that I can meditate on your promise.
My eyes anticipate the watches of night, that I may meditate on Your word.
Mine eyes anticipated the night-watches, That I might meditate on thy word.
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Psalms 63:6
When I remember thee upon my bed, [and] meditate on thee in the [night] watches. -
Luke 6:12
¶ And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. -
Lamentations 2:19
Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street. -
Psalms 63:1
¶ A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou [art] my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; -
Psalms 139:17
¶ How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! -
Psalms 139:18
[If] I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. -
Psalms 119:62
¶ At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Understanding Psalms 119:148 KJV
Psalms 119:148 KJV states, "Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word." This verse from the longest psalm in the Bible reveals the psalmist's profound devotion and discipline in seeking God through His word. It speaks to a deep hunger for divine truth that transcends the desire for sleep or ease.
Context of Psalms 119
Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem, with each section dedicated to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Its overarching theme is the psalmist's love, reverence, and obedience to God's law, statutes, precepts, commandments, and testimonies—all terms referring to God's revealed will or "word." The entire psalm is a testament to the transformative power and supreme value of God's word as a guide for life.
Meaning of "Prevent the Night Watches"
The phrase "Mine eyes prevent the night watches" means that the psalmist awakens *before* the customary changes of the night watches. In ancient Israel, the night was typically divided into three (or sometimes four) watches, marked by the changing of guards or the passage of time. To "prevent" in the King James English means to anticipate, precede, or come before. Thus, the psalmist is not merely waking up during a watch, but intentionally rising even earlier than expected, perhaps before dawn, driven by an earnest desire to engage with God.
The Purpose: Meditating in God's Word
The explicit purpose for this early rising is "that I might meditate in thy word." The Hebrew word for "meditate" here is hagah, which implies a deep, reflective, and often audible contemplation. It's not a fleeting thought but a sustained, deliberate pondering of God's truth, internalizing it, and allowing it to shape one's mind and heart. This practice of meditating on God's law is a recurring command and blessing throughout Scripture.
Key Themes and Spiritual Significance
Practical Application for Believers
Psalms 119:148 serves as a profound challenge and inspiration for believers today. In a world filled with distractions, the psalmist's example encourages us to:
The verse reminds us that true spiritual vitality often stems from a disciplined and passionate pursuit of God through His revealed truth.