Psalm 55 17

Psalm 55:17 kjv

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

Psalm 55:17 nkjv

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

Psalm 55:17 niv

Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.

Psalm 55:17 esv

Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.

Psalm 55:17 nlt

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

Psalm 55 verses

Psalm 55 17 Meaning

Psalm 55:17 conveys the Psalmist's unwavering commitment to consistent and fervent prayer to God, confidently expecting divine attention and response. It signifies a pattern of diligent devotion and an expression of profound trust that the Almighty hears the cries of His servant, particularly in times of distress. This verse establishes a sacred rhythm of life, prioritizing communication with God throughout the day, reinforcing faith over fleeting circumstances.

Psalm 55 17 Context

Psalm 55 is a lament psalm attributed to David, expressing profound distress due to betrayal by a close friend or confidant, potentially Ahithophel (2 Sam 15:12). David is overwhelmed by enemies and a covenant-breaking intimate. The psalm shifts between cries of anguish, pleas for deliverance, vivid descriptions of the treachery, and declarations of faith in God's justice and responsiveness. Verse 17 stands as a powerful declaration of his unceasing commitment to prayer and trust in God amidst this turmoil, setting a devotional pattern that transcends his current suffering. It anchors the Psalmist's hope in the unchanging character of God in a world turned hostile.

Psalm 55 17 Word analysis

• Evening (erev), Morning (bōqer), Noon (ṣohorayim): These specific times denote a comprehensive and regular prayer rhythm throughout the entire day. It signifies ceaseless prayer (1 Thess 5:17) and an active spiritual life, integrating devotion into every part of one's routine. Erev typically marks the beginning of a new day in the Hebrew calendar, setting the spiritual tone from the very onset. Bōqer signifies new beginnings, renewal, and fresh hope, often associated with God's mercies (Lam 3:22-23). Ṣohorayim represents the height of the day's activity, emphasizing that even in busy or challenging moments, communion with God is possible and prioritized. This established rhythm contrasts with the chaotic and unsettling experience described in the preceding verses.
• I will pray (śaḥah or śîaḥ): The Hebrew word implies more than just rote recitation; it signifies deep meditation, communion, contemplation, complaint, and fervent engagement of the heart with God. It suggests an inward pouring out of one's soul, wrestling with thoughts and emotions before the divine.
• And cry aloud (hāmâh or hāgāh): The word hāmâh suggests a deep groan, murmur, or the sound of an uproar, indicating fervent, unreserved, and perhaps agonized supplication. It's an expression of intense emotion and urgency, where mere words are insufficient to convey the depth of distress or desire. This contrasts with quiet meditation, demonstrating different facets of sincere prayer. It's a primal cry for help.
• He shall hear (šāmaʿ): This signifies not just God's capacity to hear physical sound, but His attentive listening, comprehension, and readiness to act upon what is heard. It implies divine responsiveness, a promise of active engagement with the Psalmist's plea. It is a declaration of confidence in God's faithfulness and ability to intervene.
• My voice (qōl): Refers to the totality of the Psalmist's plea – the words uttered, the cries expressed, the inner groanings, and the earnest desire. It personalizes the prayer, highlighting that God listens intimately to the individual supplicant. The use of "voice" (singular) unifies all forms of his communication, from quiet reflection to loud lament, under one personal and identifiable offering to God.

Psalm 55 17 Bonus section

The devotion expressed in Psalm 55:17 has deeply influenced daily prayer practices across Abrahamic faiths, including Judaism (with its thrice-daily prayer times like Shacharit, Mincha, Ma'ariv), early Christian monasticism (establishing fixed hours of prayer, the Horarium or Divine Office, and subsequently the Liturgy of the Hours in Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican traditions), and even echoing in Islamic daily prayers (Salat). This highlights a cross-cultural spiritual impulse to consecrate specific times to God, integrating the divine into the temporal fabric of human existence. The Psalmist's declaration isn't merely a personal commitment but a proposed universal rhythm of spiritual vigilance. The "cry aloud" element also serves as a polemic against pagan deities, which were depicted as unable to hear or respond to their worshippers, contrasting with the living God who actively engages with and answers the pleas of His people (1 Ki 18:26-29 vs. Ps 65:2).

Psalm 55 17 Commentary

Psalm 55:17 reveals the Psalmist's deeply entrenched spiritual discipline in the face of profound crisis. His commitment to praying "evening and morning and at noon" is not mere religious formality but a conscious, unwavering pursuit of God's presence across the full spectrum of his day. This consistent communion demonstrates remarkable faith amidst betrayal and external threats. The shift from quiet "prayer" (meditation and communing) to an urgent "cry aloud" underscores the intensity and variety of his desperate appeal. This combination illustrates the human experience of prayer: sometimes reflective, sometimes explosive in its earnestness. The profound certainty that "He shall hear my voice" serves as the bedrock of his perseverance. This verse moves beyond human effort, pointing to divine fidelity as the ultimate hope. It offers a practical template for cultivating constant reliance on God, illustrating that spiritual anchors in daily life strengthen one's capacity to navigate the storms of treachery and adversity. For instance, whether facing betrayal at work, personal sickness, or overwhelming anxiety, embracing a regular, heart-felt prayer discipline can ground one in God's promises and character.