Psalm 119:148
New International Version
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.

New Living Translation
I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise.

English Standard Version
My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.

Berean Standard Bible
My eyes anticipate the watches of night, that I may meditate on Your word.

King James Bible
Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

New King James Version
My eyes are awake through the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word.

New American Standard Bible
My eyes anticipate the night watches, So that I may meditate on Your word.

NASB 1995
My eyes anticipate the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word.

NASB 1977
My eyes anticipate the night watches, That I may meditate on Thy word.

Legacy Standard Bible
My eyes eagerly greet the night watches, That I may muse on Your word.

Amplified Bible
My eyes anticipate the night watches and I awake before the call of the watchman, That I may meditate on Your word.

Christian Standard Bible
I am awake through each watch of the night to meditate on your promise.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I am awake through each watch of the night to meditate on Your promise.

American Standard Version
Mine eyes anticipated the night-watches, That I might meditate on thy word.

Contemporary English Version
I lie awake at night, thinking of your promises.

English Revised Version
Mine eyes prevented the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
My eyes are wide-open throughout the nighttime hours to reflect on your word.

Good News Translation
All night long I lie awake, to meditate on your instructions.

International Standard Version
I look forward to the night watches, when I may meditate on what you have said.

Majority Standard Bible
My eyes anticipate the watches of night, that I may meditate on Your word.

NET Bible
My eyes anticipate the nighttime hours, so that I can meditate on your word.

New Heart English Bible
My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.

Webster's Bible Translation
My eyes anticipated the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

World English Bible
My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
My eyes have gone before the watches, "" To meditate on Your saying.

Young's Literal Translation
Mine eyes have gone before the watches, To meditate in Thy saying.

Smith's Literal Translation
Mine eyes anticipated the watches to meditate in thy word.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
My eyes to thee have prevented the morning: that I might meditate on thy words.

Catholic Public Domain Version
My eyes preceded the dawn for you, so that I might meditate on your eloquence.

New American Bible
My eyes greet the night watches as I meditate on your promise.

New Revised Standard Version
My eyes are awake before each watch of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Mine eyes open before the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
My eyes are open before the night watch that I shall meditate in your word.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Mine eyes forestalled the night-watches, That I might meditate in Thy word.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Mine eyes prevented the dawn, that I might meditate on thine oracles.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet
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.…

Cross References
Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.

Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 63:6
When I remember You on my bed, I think of You through the watches of the night.

Psalm 77:12
I will reflect on all You have done and ponder Your mighty deeds.

Psalm 143:5
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I consider the work of Your hands.

Proverbs 8:34
Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.

Isaiah 26:9
My soul longs for You in the night; indeed, my spirit seeks You at dawn. For when Your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.

Isaiah 50:4
The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.

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.

Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Matthew 26:41
“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Mark 13:33
Be on your guard and stay alert! For you do not know when the appointed time will come.

Luke 2:37
and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

Luke 6:12
In those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God.

Luke 21:36
So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”


Treasury of Scripture

My eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in your word.

eyes

Psalm 119:62
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

Psalm 63:1,6
A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; …

Psalm 139:17,18
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! …

the night watches.

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Anticipate Anticipated Awake Eyes Meditate Night Night-Watches Open Prevent Promise Promises Thought Watches Word
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Psalm 119
1. This psalm contains various prayers, praises, and professions of obedience.
2. Aleph.
9. Beth
17. Gimel
25. Daleth
33. He
41. Waw
49. Zayin
57. Heth
65. Teth
73. Yodh
81. Kaph
89. Lamedh
97. Mem
105. Nun
113. Samekh
121. Ayin
129. Pe
137. Tsadhe
145. Qoph
153. Resh
161. Sin and Shin
169. Taw














My eyes anticipate the watches of night
This phrase reflects a deep longing and eagerness for communion with God, even during the night. In ancient Israel, the night was divided into watches, periods of time when guards would keep watch over the city. The psalmist's anticipation suggests a vigilant and disciplined spiritual life, akin to a watchman’s alertness. This vigilance is echoed in other scriptures, such as Psalm 63:6, where meditation on God occurs during the night. The night watches symbolize times of solitude and quiet, ideal for reflection and prayer. The psalmist's desire to engage with God during these times highlights the importance of prioritizing spiritual pursuits over physical rest.

that I may meditate on Your word
Meditation on God's word is a central theme in Psalm 119, emphasizing the importance of internalizing and reflecting on scripture. The Hebrew concept of meditation involves a deep, thoughtful engagement with the text, often verbalized or murmured. This practice is seen throughout the Bible, such as in Joshua 1:8, where meditation on the law is linked to prosperity and success. The psalmist's commitment to meditating on God's word during the night indicates a profound dedication to understanding and applying divine teachings. This meditation is not merely intellectual but transformative, aiming to align the believer's life with God's will. The focus on God's word also points to the eternal nature of scripture, as seen in Isaiah 40:8, and its role in guiding believers through life's challenges.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Psalmist
The author of Psalm 119, traditionally believed to be King David, who expresses a deep longing and commitment to God's Word.

2. Watches of Night
Refers to the divisions of the night in ancient times, often used for prayer and meditation. The psalmist uses this time to focus on God's Word.

3. God's Word
Central to the psalmist's meditation, representing the law, commandments, and promises of God.
Teaching Points
The Discipline of Meditation
The psalmist's anticipation of the night watches teaches us the importance of setting aside dedicated time for meditating on God's Word. This discipline can deepen our understanding and relationship with God.

Prioritizing God's Word
By choosing to meditate during the night, the psalmist demonstrates the priority of God's Word in his life. We are encouraged to prioritize Scripture in our daily routines.

Spiritual Vigilance
The night watches symbolize a time of vigilance and alertness. As believers, we are called to be spiritually vigilant, using God's Word as our guide and strength.

Seeking God in Quietness
The quiet of the night provides an opportunity for undistracted communion with God. We can seek similar quiet moments in our lives to focus on His presence and guidance.Verse 148. - Mine eyes prevent the night watches. As ver. 146 is a repetition of ver. 145, so this verse is very nearly a repetition of ver. 147. The only change of idea is in the second clause - that I might meditate in thy Word; or, "on thy promise" - which makes meditation rather than prayer the psalmist's object in his early rising.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
My eyes
עֵ֭ינַי (‘ê·nay)
Noun - cdc | first person common singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

anticipate
קִדְּמ֣וּ (qid·də·mū)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6923: To project, precede, to anticipate, hasten, meet

the watches of night,
אַשְׁמֻר֑וֹת (’aš·mu·rō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 821: A night watch

that I may meditate
לָ֝שִׂ֗יחַ (lā·śî·aḥ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7878: To muse, complain, talk (of)

on Your word.
בְּאִמְרָתֶֽךָ׃ (bə·’im·rā·ṯe·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 565: Utterance, speech, word


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OT Poetry: Psalm 119:148 My eyes stay open through the night (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 119:147
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