Psalms 119:147
I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
Original Language Analysis
קִדַּ֣מְתִּי
I prevented
H6923
קִדַּ֣מְתִּי
I prevented
Strong's:
H6923
Word #:
1 of 5
to project (one self), i.e., precede; hence, to anticipate, hasten, meet (usually for help)
בַ֭נֶּשֶׁף
the dawning of the morning
H5399
בַ֭נֶּשֶׁף
the dawning of the morning
Strong's:
H5399
Word #:
2 of 5
properly, a breeze, i.e., (by implication) dusk (when the evening breeze prevails)
וָאֲשַׁוֵּ֑עָה
and cried
H7768
וָאֲשַׁוֵּ֑עָה
and cried
Strong's:
H7768
Word #:
3 of 5
properly, to be free; but used only causatively and reflexively, to halloo (for help, i.e., freedom from some trouble)
Cross References
Psalms 5:3My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.Mark 1:35And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.Psalms 56:4In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.Psalms 119:74They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.Psalms 119:81My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.Psalms 42:8Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.Psalms 88:13But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee.Isaiah 26:9With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.Psalms 57:8Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.Psalms 108:2Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
Historical Context
Jewish prayer tradition included fixed times (Daniel 6:10), but the most devoted sought God before dawn. The Levites began temple service before sunrise. Early rising for prayer became a mark of piety in rabbinic Judaism.
Questions for Reflection
- What does your morning routine reveal about the priority you place on seeking God before the day's demands?
- How does 'hoping in God's word' transform prayer from duty to eager anticipation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I prevented the dawning of the morning (קִדַּמְתִּי בַנֶּשֶׁף, qiddamti va-neshef)—Qadam means to anticipate, come before, precede. The psalmist rose before dawn (neshef, twilight) to pray. And cried: I hoped in thy word—Pre-dawn prayer was not mere discipline but hope-driven petition, anchored in God's promises.
Jesus Himself practiced this: "Rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed" (Mark 1:35). The prophets received revelation in early morning (Isaiah 50:4). Giving God the firstfruits of the day, before the world's demands intrude, demonstrates priority and dependency. Hope in God's Word motivates the sacrifice of sleep and comfort.