תהלים, פרק קי״ט, פסוק קמ״ז

Deep dedication and a yearning for salvation often push a person to seek out the quiet, dark hours for reflection and prayer. In moments of intense longing, sleep is pushed aside in favor of calling out to God. David dedicates the nighttime hours [מצודת ציון, מאירי] to weeping, crying out, and offering prayers to God [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The primary approach among commentators is that this involves waking up in the early hours before dawn, rising to pray before the rest of the world wakes up. Others suggest that this dedication begins earlier, either at the very start of the night or at midnight [תורה תמימה, אלשיך]. Alternatively, the darkness is understood not as a literal time of day, but as a symbol for a period of distress. In this view, calling out early in the night represents turning to God in prayer at the very onset of a crisis, rather than waiting until the trouble deepens [מלבי״ם].

This intense prayer is fueled by a profound sense of hope and anticipation for God's word. Commentators offer different perspectives on exactly what promise is being hoped for. One view is that David relies on a personal promise given to him directly, such as the assurance delivered by Nathan the prophet that God would save him from his enemies [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another understanding points to a broader, general promise found in the Torah, which guarantees that God remains close and listens to the prayers of anyone who cries out to Him [רד״ק, מאירי, אבן עזרא]. A more unique perspective suggests that the purpose of this nighttime prayer is to achieve a state of prophecy. In this case, the anticipation is a deep desire for God to communicate directly with him, hoping that God will speak through him [אלשיך].