Psalms 119:62
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Original Language Analysis
לַ֗יְלָה
H3915
לַ֗יְלָה
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
אָ֭קוּם
I will rise
H6965
אָ֭קוּם
I will rise
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
3 of 8
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
לְהוֹד֣וֹת
to give thanks
H3034
לְהוֹד֣וֹת
to give thanks
Strong's:
H3034
Word #:
4 of 8
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
עַ֝֗ל
H5921
עַ֝֗ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 8
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Acts 16:25And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.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 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 119:164Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.Psalms 119:7I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.Psalms 119:137Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.Psalms 119:75I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.Psalms 119:147I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.Romans 7:12Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.Psalms 19:9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
Historical Context
Jewish tradition developed fixed hours of prayer, including night watches. The temple service included nocturnal offerings and Levitical singers. Devout individuals practiced midnight vigils, seeking undistracted communion with God. This practice influenced Christian monasticism and the Anglican/Lutheran tradition of liturgical hours. Jesus often withdrew for night prayer (Luke 6:12), and early churches gathered before dawn (Acts 20:7-11).
Questions for Reflection
- What would motivate you to interrupt sleep specifically to give thanks—what would demonstrate that priority in practice?
- Can you genuinely thank God for His 'righteous judgments' even when circumstances are painful or unclear?
- How might practicing gratitude during 'midnight' seasons of life transform your spiritual maturity and worship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments. The phrase at midnight (חֲצוֹת־לַיְלָה, chatzot-laylah)—literally 'the dividing of the night'—represents the darkest, deepest part of night when sleep is sweetest. Rising then demonstrates extraordinary devotion and deliberate sacrifice of comfort. Paul and Silas prayed and sang at midnight in prison (Acts 16:25), modeling worship in darkness.
To give thanks (לְהוֹדוֹת, lehodot) unto God not for personal blessing but because of thy righteous judgments (מִשְׁפְּטֵי צִדְקֶךָ, mishpetei tzidqekha)—thanksgiving for God's character and righteous governance, not merely His gifts. This mature worship praises God for who He is, even before deliverance comes. It echoes Habakkuk's resolution to rejoice in God despite devastation (Habakkuk 3:17-18).