Psalms 55:17

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Evening {H6153}, and morning {H1242}, and at noon {H6672}, will I pray {H7878}{H8799)}, and cry aloud {H1993}{H8799)}: and he shall hear {H8085}{H8799)} my voice {H6963}.

Evening, morning and noon I complain and moan; but he hears my voice.

Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.

Evening, and morning, and at noonday, will I complain, and moan; And he will hear my voice.

Psalm 55:17, penned by King David, captures a profound commitment to consistent and fervent prayer amidst intense personal distress. This verse stands as a testament to the psalmist's unwavering reliance on God even when surrounded by betrayal and conflict.

Context of Psalm 55:17

Psalm 55 is a deeply emotional lament, believed to be written by David during a period of great anguish, possibly due to the betrayal by a close friend, perhaps Ahithophel, during Absalom's rebellion (see 2 Samuel 15:31). The psalm opens with a desperate plea for God to hear his prayer, detailing his fears, the treachery he faces, and his desire to escape. Amidst this turmoil, verse 17 expresses David's steadfast practice of seeking God daily, emphasizing his faith that God would indeed listen to his cries.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Persistent and Regular Prayer: The phrase "Evening, and morning, and at noon" highlights David's disciplined and habitual approach to prayer. This three-times-a-day practice reflects a commitment to continually bringing his concerns before God, regardless of circumstances. It establishes a rhythm of seeking divine intervention.
  • Fervent Supplication: "Will I pray, and cry aloud" indicates not just quiet meditation but an earnest, vocal, and intense form of prayer. David is pouring out his heart to God with urgency and passion, reflecting the depth of his distress and his profound need for divine help. This echoes other passages urging believers to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
  • Divine Responsiveness: The confident declaration "and he shall hear my voice" underscores David's absolute trust in God's attentiveness and faithfulness. Despite the feeling of abandonment by man, David holds firm to the conviction that God is not distant but actively listens and responds to the prayers of His people. This promise is a cornerstone of biblical faith, assuring us that God hears our prayers when we call upon Him.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "pray" here is palal (פָּלַל), which means to intervene, intercede, or mediate, suggesting a deliberate and purposeful engagement with God. The phrase "cry aloud" comes from the Hebrew hamah (הָמָה), which can mean to moan, be boisterous, or rage, conveying the deep emotional intensity and urgency of David's supplication. The specification of "Evening, and morning, and at noon" (erev, boker, tsohorayim) emphasizes the structured and consistent devotion of the psalmist, a pattern later observed in Jewish tradition, as seen in Daniel's practice of praying three times a day (Daniel 6:10).

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalm 55:17 serves as a powerful encouragement to cultivate a disciplined and fervent prayer life. It reminds us that even in our darkest moments of distress, betrayal, or fear, God is always accessible and attentive to our cries. This verse challenges us to make prayer a consistent habit, not merely a last resort, and to approach God with genuine emotion and unwavering faith that He hears and will respond according to His perfect will. It reinforces the truth that our ultimate refuge and source of help is found in God alone, who promises to hear the righteous when they cry (Psalm 34:17).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ephesians 6:18

    Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17

    Pray without ceasing.

  • Psalms 141:2

    Let my prayer be set forth before thee [as] incense; [and] the lifting up of my hands [as] the evening sacrifice.

  • Acts 3:1

    ¶ Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, [being] the ninth [hour].

  • Acts 10:9

    ¶ On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

  • Hebrews 5:7

    Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

  • Psalms 119:147

    ¶ I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.

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