Psalms 119:148
Psalms 119:148 in Multiple Translations
My eyes anticipate the watches of night, that I may meditate on Your word.
Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
Mine eyes anticipated the night-watches, That I might meditate on thy word.
In the night watches I am awake, so that I may give thought to your saying.
During the night I stay awake, meditating on your word.
Mine eyes preuent the night watches to meditate in thy word.
Mine eyes have gone before the watches, To meditate in Thy saying.
My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.
My eyes anticipated the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
All during the night I am awake, and I ◄meditate on/think about► what you have ◄promised/said that you would do►.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 119:148
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 119:148 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
קִדְּמ֣וּ
עֵ֭ינַ/י
אַשְׁמֻר֑וֹת
לָ֝/שִׂ֗יחַ
בְּ/אִמְרָתֶֽ/ךָ
קִדְּמ֣וּ
qâdam
H6923
to meet
V-Piel-Perf-3cp
עֵ֭ינַ/י
ʻayin
H5869
eye
N-cd | Suff
אַשְׁמֻר֑וֹת
ʼashmurâh
H821
watch
N-fp
לָ֝/שִׂ֗יחַ
sîyach
H7878
to muse
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
בְּ/אִמְרָתֶֽ/ךָ
ʼimrâh
H565
word
Prep | N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 119:148
קִדְּמ֣וּ
qâdam
H6923
"to meet"
V-Piel-Perf-3cp
To meet or go before someone, often for help, as seen in the Bible when God meets his people in Exodus. This word can also mean to anticipate or hasten something. In the book of Psalms, it is used to describe God coming to the aid of his people.
Definition: 1) to meet, come or be in front, confront, go before 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to meet, confront, come to meet, receive 1a2) to go before, go in front, be in front 1a3) to lead, be beforehand, anticipate, forestall 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to come in front 1b2) to confront, anticipate
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: come (go, (flee)) before, [phrase] disappoint, meet, prevent. See also: Deuteronomy 23:5; Psalms 59:11; Psalms 17:13.
עֵ֭ינַ/י
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
N-cd | Suff
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
אַשְׁמֻר֑וֹת
ʼashmurâh
H821
"watch"
N-fp
This Hebrew word means a night watch, a period of time when someone is on guard. It appears in the Bible as a time for prayer and vigilance. In Psalm 63:6, David watches in the night, remembering God.
Definition: watch (a period of time), night-watch
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: watch. See also: Exodus 14:24; Psalms 63:7; Psalms 90:4.
לָ֝/שִׂ֗יחַ
sîyach
H7878
"to muse"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to think deeply about something, like a problem or an idea, and to talk to oneself or others about it, as seen in the book of Psalms where David ponders God's creation.
Definition: 1) to put forth, mediate, muse, commune, speak, complain, ponder, sing 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to complain 1a2) to muse, meditate upon, study, ponder 1a3) to talk, sing, speak 1b) (Polel) to meditate, consider, put forth thoughts
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: commune, complain, declare, meditate, muse, pray, speak, talk (with). See also: Judges 5:10; Psalms 119:15; Psalms 55:18.
בְּ/אִמְרָתֶֽ/ךָ
ʼimrâh
H565
"word"
Prep | N-fs | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a threat or warning, often from God. It appears in the context of judgement or punishment. The KJV translates it as commandment, speech, or word.
Definition: 1) utterance, speech, word 1a) word of God (command and promise)
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: commandment, speech, word. See also: Genesis 4:23; Psalms 119:116; Psalms 12:7.
Study Notes — Psalms 119:148
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 119:148 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 119:148
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 119:148
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 119:148
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 119:148
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 119:148
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 119:148
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 119:148
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 119:148
- Sermons on Psalms 119:148
Context — Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet
146I call to You; save me, that I may keep Your testimonies.
147I rise before dawn and cry for help; in Your word I have put my hope.
148My eyes anticipate the watches of night, that I may meditate on Your word.
149Hear my voice, O LORD, according to Your loving devotion; give me life according to Your justice. 150Those who follow after wickedness draw near; they are far from Your law.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 63:6 | When I remember You on my bed, I think of You through the watches of the night. |
| 2 | Luke 6:12 | In those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God. |
| 3 | Lamentations 2:19 | Arise, cry out in the night from the first watch of the night. Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children who are fainting from hunger on the corner of every street. |
| 4 | Psalms 63:1 | O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water. |
| 5 | Psalms 139:17–18 | How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God, how vast is their sum! If I were to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; and when I awake, I am still with You. |
| 6 | Psalms 119:62 | At midnight I rise to give You thanks for Your righteous judgments. |
Psalms 119:148 Summary
[This verse means that the Psalmist is looking forward to the nighttime hours as a special time to think deeply about God's word and pray. He wants to use this quiet time to focus on God and learn more about Him, just like we are encouraged to do in Psalms 1:2. By doing so, he can deepen his relationship with God and find comfort and guidance in His word, as promised in Isaiah 40:31. This is something we can all learn from and apply to our own lives, setting aside time each day to meditate on God's word and seek His presence, as encouraged in Matthew 6:6.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to anticipate the watches of night?
In Psalms 119:148, anticipating the watches of night means looking forward to the nighttime hours as a special time for meditation and prayer, much like the Psalmist in Psalms 119:62 who rises at midnight to praise God.
Why would the Psalmist want to meditate on God's word at night?
The Psalmist likely wanted to meditate on God's word at night because it was a time of quiet and solitude, allowing for uninterrupted reflection and communion with God, as seen in Psalms 42:8 where God's love is mentioned as being present during the night.
Is it important to set aside specific times for meditation and prayer?
Yes, setting aside specific times for meditation and prayer is important, as it helps to prioritize and deepen one's relationship with God, as encouraged in Psalms 5:3 and Daniel 6:10.
How can I apply this verse to my own life?
You can apply this verse by setting aside time each day, whether in the morning or at night, to meditate on God's word and seek His presence, just as the Psalmist did in Psalms 119:148, and as encouraged in Joshua 1:8 to meditate on God's law day and night.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can prioritize meditation and prayer in my daily life, even in the midst of busyness?
- How can I use the nighttime hours to deepen my relationship with God and reflect on His word?
- What are some specific scriptures or passages that I can meditate on during my quiet time, such as Psalms 23 or Philippians 4:13?
- How can I balance the desire for solitude and quiet with the need for community and fellowship with other believers, as seen in Acts 2:42-47?
- What are some practical steps I can take to make meditation and prayer a consistent part of my daily routine, such as setting a reminder or finding a prayer partner?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 119:148
Mine eyes prevent the [night] watches,.... The Targum is, "the morning and evening watches.'' There were three of them; Kimchi interprets it of the second and third; the meaning is, that the psalmist
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 119:148
Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word. Mine eyes prevent the night watches - Mine eyes are already awake before the night-watches are past (Maurer).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 119:148
Ver. 148. The night watches, Heb. the watches; which were kept only by night. And these watches were then three, as hath been more than once observed. And this is not to be understood of the first watch, which was at the beginning of the night, for the prevention thereof was very easy, and frequent, and inconsiderable; but of the middle watch, as it is called, , which was set in the middle of the night; and especially of the morning watch, as it is called, , which was set some hours before the dawning of the day; and so this is an aggravation and addition to what he said .
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 119:148
Psalms 119:148 Mine eyes prevent the [night] watches, that I might meditate in thy word.Ver. 148. Mine eyes prevent the night watches] By this verse and the former it appeareth that he spent whole nights in prayer and meditation of God’ s word. Jerome counselled some godly women thus, Tenenti codicem somnus obrepat, et cadentem faciem pagina sacra suspiciat (Hier. ad Eusta.).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 119:148
Verse 148. Mine eyes prevent] קדמו kiddemu, "go before the watches." Before the watchman proclaims the hour, I am awake, meditating on thy words. The Jews divided the night into three watches, which began at what we call six o'clock in the evening, and consisted each of four hours. The Romans taught them afterwards to divide it into four watches of three hours each; and to divide the day and night into twelve hours each; wherein different guards of soldiers were appointed to watch. At the proclaiming of each watch the psalmist appears to have risen and performed some act of devotion. For a remarkable custom of our Saxon ancestors, See Clarke on Psalms 119:164.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 119:148
148. Mine eyes prevent [or are beforehand with, the same word as in Psalms 119:147] the night watches] The night was divided into three watches by the Israelites (Lamentations 2:19; Judges 7:19; 1 Samuel 11:11). He compares himself to a sentinel who wakes before it is time for him to go on duty. Possibly, as Baethgen suggests, there is a reference to the author’s duties as a Levite. Before the hour when he must rise for his watch in the Temple he is awake, and meditating on God’s words. Cp. Psalms 119:62; Psalms 63:6.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 119:148
Mine eyes prevent the night watches - Luther renders this, “I wake up early.” The Hebrew word means a “watch” - a part of the night, so called from military watches, or a dividing of the night to
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 119:148
÷, Koph.145-152. I cried with my whole heart—Here we see the spirit of Samuel among them that called upon God.
Sermons on Psalms 119:148
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Man Who Lived on Promises by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about his son breaking his leg while being heroic at a low-budget camp. He emphasizes that explanations don't make us feel bette |
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(The Life of David) 05 Purpose and Power in David's Life by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that God has a purpose for every young person's life. He uses the example of David from the Bible to illustrate this point. The speaker encou |
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Step 19 on Sleep, Prayer, and Psalm-Singing in Chapel. by St. John Climacus | St. John Climacus emphasizes the importance of being vigilant against the various distractions that hinder our prayer life, such as excessive sleep, demonic influences, and lack of |
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The Promises of God by Thomas Reade | Thomas Reade preaches on the transformative power of the promises of God, emphasizing that all the promises of God are fulfilled in Christ and are available to those who have a sav |
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Hebrews 8:1-13 by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches about the superiority of Jesus as the High Priest who sits at the right hand of God, emphasizing His role as the Minister of the sanctuary and the true Tab |
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The Inner Life of the Preacher by Gbile Akanni | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the personal inner life of a minister in bringing about revival. He highlights how Jesus took extra attention to prepare hi |
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God's Kind of Servant by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the speaker describes a family gathering where they read a chapter from the Bible and prayed for missionaries. The speaker emphasizes the importance of following Go |