Psalms 55:17
Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to read "Evening and morning and at noon" as just David listing prayer times. But notice how he links these set times to his deep distress: "I utter my complaint and moan." He's not just going through a religious routine; he's pouring out his whole heart to God, even in the midst of agony, trusting that God is actively listening.
The Psalmist is in deep distress, feeling betrayed and overwhelmed by enemies. Amidst this turmoil, he declares his unwavering commitment to constant prayer, setting specific times throughout the day to cry out to God. This declaration of persistent prayer and his assurance of being heard flows directly from his desperate situation and his faith in God's intervention.
Why did David pray at specific times like 'evening, morning, and noon'? It wasn't random; it followed a deep spiritual pattern.
In ancient Israel, prayer wasn't just a spontaneous outburst; it was woven into the fabric of the day.
Threefold Devotion
David doesn't just say he prays; he describes how he prays – with a 'complaint and moan.' What does this tell us?
Prayer isn't always serene or eloquent. Sometimes, it's raw, urgent, and deeply emotional.
Voicing Your Heart
Understand the original words
siach · Hebrew Noun
An expression of deep distress, grief, or pain brought before God. In Scripture, it represents the honest pouring out of one's heart in prayer during times of trouble, trusting in God's presence.
The verse reflects the ancient Jewish practice of observing set times for prayer – morning, noon, and evening – likely influenced by the daily temple sacrifices and the example of figures like Daniel. This highlights the importance of consistent and disciplined devotion, even amidst personal turmoil.
~1000 BC— this verse
David's Reign
David, King of Israel, experienced periods of intense personal distress and conflict, including betrayal by close advisors and threats from enemies.
c. 600 BC
Daniel in Babylon
The prophet Daniel, exiled in Babylon, maintained a practice of praying three times daily, a custom noted in Scripture.
c. AD 30s
Early Church Prayer Times
The practice of praying at specific times of the day, particularly morning and evening, continued into the early Christian era, as seen in the book of Acts.
This passage shows Daniel’s consistent prayer life, praying three times a day just as the Psalmist here does, highlighting a deeply ingrained habit of seeking God regardless of circumstances.
Acts 10:9Peter’s experience on the housetop at noon for prayer mirrors the Psalmist's commitment to praying at midday, showing this was a recognized time for seeking God.
Luke 18:7Jesus’ parable of the persistent widow directly speaks to the certainty of God hearing the cries of His people, echoing the Psalmist's confidence in verse 17 that God 'shall hear my voice'.
Psalm 119:164This verse mentions praising God seven times a day, expanding on the theme of consistent, frequent prayer and praise that Psalm 55:17 begins to illustrate.
clarkePsalms 55:17: "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice."
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray - This was the custom of the pious Hebrews. See Daniel 6:10 . The Hebrews began their day in the evening, and hence David mentions the evening first. The rabbins say, Men should pray three times each day, because the day changes three times. This was observed in the primitive Church; but the times, in different places, were various. The old Ps…
wesleyPsalms 55:17: "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice."
55:17 Evening, and c. - The three stated times of prayer among the Jews.
It's easy to read "Evening and morning and at noon" as just David listing prayer times. But notice how he links these set times to his deep distress: "I utter my complaint and moan." He's not just going through a religious routine; he's pouring out his whole heart to God, even in the midst of agony, trusting that God is actively listening.
The Psalmist is in deep distress, feeling betrayed and overwhelmed by enemies. Amidst this turmoil, he declares his unwavering commitment to constant prayer, setting specific times throughout the day to cry out to God. This declaration of persistent prayer and his assurance of being heard flows directly from his desperate situation and his faith in God's intervention.
The Psalmist is in deep distress, feeling betrayed and overwhelmed by enemies. Amidst this turmoil, he declares his unwavering commitment to constant prayer, setting specific times throughout the day to cry out to God. This declaration of persistent prayer and his assurance of being heard flows directly from his desperate situation and his faith in God's intervention.
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"Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice." — It's easy to read "Evening and morning and at noon" as just David listing prayer times. But notice how he links these set times to his deep distress: "I utter my complaint and moan." He's not just go…
