Psalms 55:17 (KJV)

What does Psalms 55:17 mean?

Psalms 55:17 describes the psalmist’s commitment to pray to God throughout the day—at evening, morning, and noon—confident that God will hear his voice. The verse shows a pattern of regular, earnest prayer and trust that God listens.

King David is speaking in this psalm, expressing his distress and seeking relief from his troubles. The verse highlights how David turns to God repeatedly, not just once, but at set times throughout the day, showing both persistence and dependence on God’s attention and care.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 55:17

• "Evening" (עֶרֶב, ʿerev), "morning" (בֹּקֶר, boqer), and "noon" (צָהֳרַיִם, tsohorayim) mark specific times, emphasizing a rhythm of prayer that covers the whole day, not just a single moment.
• "Pray" (שִׂיחַ, siach) often means to meditate or muse, suggesting that David’s communication with God is thoughtful and ongoing, not just a quick request.
• "Cry aloud" (הָמָה, hamah) carries the sense of making noise or groaning, pointing to the emotional intensity of David’s prayers.
• "Hear" (שָׁמַע, shamaʿ) means to listen or pay attention, underlining David’s trust that God is not distant but attentive to his cries.
• "Voice" (קוֹל, qol) highlights that David expects God to hear his actual spoken words, not just silent thoughts.

Why Psalms 55:17 matters

• The verse clarifies that prayer in the Bible is not limited to a specific time or place; it can be a regular, repeated practice throughout the day.
• It shows that expressing emotion—even loud or distressed cries—is part of biblical prayer, not something to hide from God.
• The verse connects to the rest of Psalm 55, where David is surrounded by trouble and betrayal, showing that persistent prayer is his way of coping and seeking help.