Daniel 9:4
And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;
Original Language Analysis
וָֽאֶתְפַּֽלְלָ֛ה
And I prayed
H6419
וָֽאֶתְפַּֽלְלָ֛ה
And I prayed
Strong's:
H6419
Word #:
1 of 16
to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
לַיהוָ֥ה
unto the LORD
H3068
לַיהוָ֥ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהַ֖י
my God
H430
אֱלֹהַ֖י
my God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 16
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וָאֶתְוַדֶּ֑ה
and made my confession
H3034
וָאֶתְוַדֶּ֑ה
and made my confession
Strong's:
H3034
Word #:
4 of 16
physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha
הָאֵ֤ל
God
H410
הָאֵ֤ל
God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
8 of 16
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
הַגָּדוֹל֙
the great
H1419
הַגָּדוֹל֙
the great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
9 of 16
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וְהַנּוֹרָ֔א
and dreadful
H3372
וְהַנּוֹרָ֔א
and dreadful
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
10 of 16
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
וּלְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י
him and to them that keep
H8104
וּלְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י
him and to them that keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
הַבְּרִית֙
the covenant
H1285
הַבְּרִית֙
the covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
12 of 16
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
וְֽהַחֶ֔סֶד
and mercy
H2617
וְֽהַחֶ֔סֶד
and mercy
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
13 of 16
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
לְאֹהֲבָ֖יו
to them that love
H157
לְאֹהֲבָ֖יו
to them that love
Strong's:
H157
Word #:
14 of 16
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
Cross References
Romans 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.Exodus 20:6And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.Deuteronomy 5:10And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.2 Chronicles 7:14If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.Nehemiah 9:32Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day.Deuteronomy 7:9Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;1 Kings 8:23And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:Psalms 32:5I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.Deuteronomy 7:21Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible.Jeremiah 3:13Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.
Historical Context
Daniel prayed this around 538 BC, near the end of the seventy-year exile prophesied by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11-12, 29:10). His study of Jeremiah's prophecy (Daniel 9:2) prompted this prayer, demonstrating how biblical prophecy should drive believers to prayer rather than passive speculation. The exile resulted from covenant violation (2 Chronicles 36:15-21), making Daniel's confession of sin and appeal to covenant mercy appropriate.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Daniel's address combining "great and dreadful" with "covenant and mercy" model balanced understanding of God's character?
- What does grounding prayer in God's revealed promises rather than human merit teach about proper prayer theology?
- How does Daniel's Scripture-saturated prayer challenge modern prayer that often lacks biblical content and grounding?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Daniel begins his prayer: "I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments." The address "the great and dreadful God" combines reverent awe (recognizing God's transcendent majesty and power) with appropriate fear (acknowledging His holiness and justice). This balanced view prevents both flippant familiarity and paralyzing terror.
The phrase "keeping the covenant and mercy" grounds prayer in God's revealed character. Daniel appeals not to his own merit but to God's covenant faithfulness. The Hebrew chesed (חֶסֶד, "mercy") denotes steadfast covenant love—God's loyal commitment to His promises. The condition "to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments" quotes Deuteronomy 7:9, demonstrating Daniel's Scripture-saturated prayer. He recognizes that covenant blessings flow to those who maintain covenant faithfulness.
This opening establishes prayer's proper foundation: approaching God through His revealed character and promises rather than human presumption or works. Daniel doesn't demand or manipulate but appeals to divine mercy grounded in covenant commitment. This models Reformed prayer theology: confidence based on God's promises in Christ, not our worthiness. Christ, the mediator of a better covenant (Hebrews 8:6), enables believers to approach God's throne with confidence (Hebrews 4:16), appealing to covenant mercy through His blood.