Psalms 88:13
But I, O LORD, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Psalms 88:13
But I, O LORD, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Even in the depths of despair, the psalmist asserts his continued act of crying out to God, emphasizing that "as for me" (a subtle but powerful shift in focus) he is still capable of approaching the Lord. This isn't just about waking up early; the word translated "prevent" means to go before, to anticipate, suggesting his prayer seeks to meet God before the usual time, demonstrating persistent, almost audacious faith in the face of overwhelming silence.
After plumbing the depths of despair and isolation, questioning his very life and closeness to God in the preceding verses, the psalmist pivots. He reasserts his active engagement with God, emphasizing that despite his suffering, he is still alive to cry out and will do so diligently each morning, seeking to meet God with his prayer before the day's usual activities begin. This ongoing plea sets the stage for the continued lament and questioning of God's apparent abandonment in the verses that follow.
In the depths of despair, when all seems lost, there's a radical shift happening. It's a turning point that hinges on a simple, yet profound, personal commitment.
The phrase 'But I...' or 'But as for me...' (depending on your translation) at the beginning of verse 13 is a powerful pivot. The psalmist has just detailed the overwhelming darkness of his suffering, feeling forgotten and on the brink of death. Yet, he doesn't stay lost in that description.
A Return to Reality
This 'But' signifies a conscious decision to move from describing his dire circumstances to actively engaging with God. It's a recognition that even in the face of unimaginable pain and apparent divine absence, his only recourse is to God.
The Action of Crying
He hasn't yet descended into the silent grave. He still has breath, still has a voice, and importantly, he still has access to the Lord. This cry isn't a passive sigh; it's an active, desperate plea born from the knowledge that God is the ultimate, albeit seemingly distant, source of help.
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What does it mean for your prayer to 'prevent' God? It’s not about tricking Him, but about a deep, intentional pursuit that speaks volumes about your heart.
The idea of prayer 'preventing' God is a fascinating one. The word 'prevent' here doesn't mean to stop or hinder God, but rather to go before or anticipate Him. It’s a picture of earnest, proactive devotion.
Early and Intentional
When the psalmist says, 'in the morning my prayer comes before you,' he's signaling that prayer isn't an afterthought. It’s his first priority. He’s getting up early, before the business of the day, before others are even stirring, to bring his plea directly to God.
A Sign of Earnestness
This isn't just about scheduling; it's about the intensity of his need. By praying so early, he’s demonstrating how deeply he feels his situation and how much he desires God's intervention. It’s a way of saying, 'Lord, you are on my mind before anything else, and I need your help urgently.' This persistent, early prayer shows a refusal to give up, even when answers aren't immediate.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of God (Yahweh), emphasizing His self-existence, eternal nature, and personal relationship with His people as their Redeemer.
tephillah · Hebrew Noun
A humble and urgent address to God, expressing reliance upon Him. Prayer is the means by which humanity enters into conversation, petition, and communion with the Creator.
This verse echoes the psalmist's commitment to bringing his prayers before God early in the morning, emphasizing diligence and anticipation in seeking God's attention.
Psalms 119:147This verse highlights the intentional act of praying before dawn, mirroring the psalmist's resolve to bring his prayer to God 'in the morning' as a deliberate act of seeking Him.
Mark 1:35This passage shows Jesus rising 'a great while before day' to pray, illustrating the practice of seeking God in the quiet early hours, which aligns with the psalmist's earnest morning prayer.
Psalms 22:1This reference offers a parallel cry of distress to God, reflecting a similar sense of abandonment that might prompt the fervent, persistent prayer described in Psalm 88:13.
pulpitPsalms 88:13: "But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee."
Verse 13. - But unto thee have I cried, O Lord; literally, but as for me, to thee have I cried. The psalmist returns from the somewhat vague speculations of vers. 10-12 to fact and to himself. He is not yet a mere shade, an inhabitant of Sheol; he is in the flesh, upon the earth; he can still cry, and does still cry, to Jehovah. There is thus still a faint gleam of hope for him. And in the morni…
ellicottPsalms 88:13: "But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee."
(13) But unto Thee . . . —Better, But as for me, I, &c. The pronoun is emphatic. The speaker has not gone down to the land where all is silent and forgotten, and can therefore still cry to God, and send his prayer to meet (prevent, i.e. go to meet; see Psalm 17:13 ) the Divine Being who still has an interest in him. And this makes the expostulation of the next verses still stronger. Why, since t…
Even in the depths of despair, the psalmist asserts his continued act of crying out to God, emphasizing that "as for me" (a subtle but powerful shift in focus) he is still capable of approaching the Lord. This isn't just about waking up early; the word translated "prevent" means to go before, to anticipate, suggesting his prayer seeks to meet God before the usual time, demonstrating persistent, almost audacious faith in the face of overwhelming silence.
After plumbing the depths of despair and isolation, questioning his very life and closeness to God in the preceding verses, the psalmist pivots. He reasserts his active engagement with God, emphasizing that despite his suffering, he is still alive to cry out and will do so diligently each morning, seeking to meet God with his prayer before the day's usual activities begin. This ongoing plea sets the stage for the continued lament and questioning of God's apparent abandonment in the verses that follow.
After plumbing the depths of despair and isolation, questioning his very life and closeness to God in the preceding verses, the psalmist pivots. He reasserts his active engagement with God, emphasizing that despite his suffering, he is still alive to cry out and will do so diligently each morning, seeking to meet God with his prayer before the day's usual activities begin. This ongoing plea sets the stage for the continued lament and questioning of God's apparent abandonment in the verses that follow.
"But I, O LORD, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you." — Even in the depths of despair, the psalmist asserts his continued act of crying out to God, emphasizing that "as for me" (a subtle but powerful shift in focus) he is still capable of approaching th…
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