Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights not just that David prays, but when—evening, morning, and noon. This pattern suggests a deliberate, consistent commitment to seeking God throughout the entire day, mirroring the ancient practice tied to daily sacrifices and emphasizing a life lived in constant communion.
Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist is in deep distress, feeling betrayed and overwhelmed by enemies, possibly even close companions. He's poured out his heart in prayer, seeking God's intervention amidst this turmoil. In the verses immediately following, he expresses his faith that God hears him and will act to deliver him, even as his enemies face judgment.
Life throws a lot at us, and it's easy to let our spiritual lives slip. David, in the midst of deep trouble, found a way to stay connected.
Setting Apart Sacred Time
David declares, "Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan." This wasn't just a casual thought; it reflects a pattern of prayer established among the faithful.
Prayer isn't always eloquent speeches. Sometimes, it's the raw, unfiltered expression of our deepest feelings. David shows us what that looks like.
Praying Through the Pain
David doesn't just say he , he says he would 'utter my complaint and moan.' This is crucial.
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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 psalmist's commitment to praying at morning, noon, and evening highlights the established Jewish practice of regular, structured prayer, likely influenced by Temple sacrifices and reflected in later biblical figures like Daniel and the early Church.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
David's Reign
David, the traditional author of Psalm 55, lived during a time of both great triumph and intense personal betrayal, likely by figures close to him, such as Ahithophel.
During the period of the Monarchy
Established Temple Sacrifices
The daily morning and evening sacrifices at the Jerusalem Temple were a central part of Israelite worship, influencing the timing of private prayer.
6th Century BC
Daniel's Exile
The prophet Daniel is recorded as praying three times a day, reflecting a continued practice of regular, set times for devotion among observant Jews.
1st Century AD
Early Church Practices
The apostles and early believers continued the tradition of praying at set times, with references in Acts suggesting morning, noon, and evening as common prayer times.
This passage shows Daniel, a man of deep faith, observing the established Jewish practice of praying at set times, even when it put him in danger, mirroring David's commitment to prayer throughout his day.
Luke 11:5-8Jesus' parable of the persistent friend highlights the power of importunate prayer, echoing the 'cry aloud' in Psalm 55:17 and assuring us that God hears and responds to those who persistently seek Him.
Acts 3:1This verse illustrates the practice of praying at the 'hour of prayer' (the ninth hour, corresponding to the afternoon sacrifice), aligning with the established times of prayer mentioned in Psalms 55:17 and showing its continuation in the early church.
Psalm 119:164This verse speaks of praising God 'seven times a day,' which, while different in number, shares the theme of consistent, frequent communion with God that David expresses in Psalms 55:17.
1 Thessalonians 5:17The command to 'pray without ceasing' is a broader New Testament principle that resonates with David's dedication to praying at multiple times throughout the day, emphasizing a life constantly oriented towards God.
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.
The verse highlights not just that David prays, but when—evening, morning, and noon. This pattern suggests a deliberate, consistent commitment to seeking God throughout the entire day, mirroring the ancient practice tied to daily sacrifices and emphasizing a life lived in constant communion.
The psalmist is in deep distress, feeling betrayed and overwhelmed by enemies, possibly even close companions. He's poured out his heart in prayer, seeking God's intervention amidst this turmoil. In the verses immediately following, he expresses his faith that God hears him and will act to deliver him, even as his enemies face judgment.
The psalmist is in deep distress, feeling betrayed and overwhelmed by enemies, possibly even close companions. He's poured out his heart in prayer, seeking God's intervention amidst this turmoil. In the verses immediately following, he expresses his faith that God hears him and will act to deliver him, even as his enemies face judgment.
"Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice." — The verse highlights not just that David prays, but when—evening, morning, and noon. This pattern suggests a deliberate, consistent commitment to seeking God throughout the entire day, mirroring…
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Last reviewed October 2026