Psalms 119:147 - Meaning and Application

David goes on to tell how much he practiced prayer, and how it comforted and helped him. He cried out to God, which means he offered his holy and earnest feelings to God with full seriousness. Notice the helps that supported his prayer.

First, he had hope in God’s word. That hope encouraged him to keep praying, even when the answer did not come right away. He could cry out and still wait, because he trusted that God’s promise would come true in its appointed time. He hoped in God’s word, knowing it would not fail him.

Second, he meditated on God’s word. The more closely we live with Scripture and think about it, the better we can speak to God in words shaped by his truth. We also learn better what to ask for in prayer. Simply reading the Bible is not enough, we must also think deeply about it.

David also shows us the hours of his devotion. He rose before dawn, even during the night watches. This shows, first, that he was an early riser, and this may have helped make him a great man. He was not one of those who keep saying, “Just a little more sleep.”

Second, he began the day with God. Before he let business take over, he prayed while his mind was fresh and ready. If our first thoughts in the morning are about God, they help keep us in reverence for him all day long.

Third, his heart was so full of God, and of the duties and joys of religion, that he needed only a little sleep. Even in the night watches, when he woke from his first sleep, he would rather meditate and pray than turn over and go back to sleep. He valued the words from God’s mouth more than his needed rest, though that rest is as necessary to us as food is, as Job says (Job 23:12).

Fourth, he made time for spiritual duty. He was busy all day, but that never excuses anyone from private devotion. It is better to take time from sleep, as David did, than to fail to find time for prayer. This also comforts us when we pray at night, because we can never come too late to the throne of grace. We may come to God at any hour. Baal may be asleep, but Israel’s God never sleeps, and there is no time when he cannot be spoken to.