Psalm 119:148

Verse 148. -- "Mine eyes prevent the night watches." The Hebrew word means a watch -- a part of the night, so called from military watches, or a dividing of the night to keep guard. The idea of the Psalmist here is, that he anticipated these regular divisions of the night in order that he might engage in devotion. Instead of waiting for their return, he arose for prayer before they recurred; so much did his heart delight in the service of God. The language would seem to be that of one who was accustomed to pray in these successive "watches" of the night; the early, the middle, and the dawn. This may illustrate what occurs in the life of all who love God. They will have regular seasons of devotion, but they will often anticipate those seasons. They will be in a state of mind which prompts them to pray; when nothing will meet their state of mind but prayer; and when they cannot wait for the regular and ordinary season of devotion; like a hungry man, who cannot wait for the usual and regular hour of his meals. The meaning of the phrase, "Mine eyes prevent," is that he awoke before the usual time for devotion. --Albert Barnes.

Verse 148. -- Mine eyes prevent the night watches, etc. His former purpose is yet continued, declaring his indefatigable perseverance in prayer. Oh, that we could learn of him to use our time well! At evening he lay down with prayers and tears; at midnight he rose to give thanks; he got up before the morning light to call upon the Lord. This is to imitate the life of angels, who ever are delighted to behold the face of God, singing alway a new song without wearying. This is to begin our heaven upon earth: Oh, that we could alway remember it! --William Cowper.

Verse 148. -- Night watches. The Jews, like the Greeks and Romans, divided the night into military watches instead of hours, each watch representing the period for which sentinels or pickets remained on duty. The proper Jewish reckoning recognized only three such watches, entitled the first, "or beginning of the watches" ( Lamentations 2:19 ), "the middle watch" ( Judges 7:19 ), and "the morning watch" ( Exodus 14:24 ; 1 Samuel 11:11 ). These would last respectively from sunset to 10 p.m.; from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.; and from 2 a.m. to sunrise. It has been contended by Lightfoot that the Jews really reckoned four watches, three only of which were in the dead of the night, the fourth being in the morning. This, however, is rendered improbable by the use of the term "middle," and is opposed to Rabbinical authority. Subsequently to establishment of Roman supremacy, the number of watches was increased four which was described either according to their numerical order, as the case of the "fourth watch" ( Matthew 14:25 ), or by the terms" midnight, cock crowing, and morning" ( Mark 13:35 ). These, terminated at 9 p.m., midnight, 3 a.m., and 6 a.m. Conformably to this, the guard of soldiers was divided into four relays ( Acts 12:4 ), showing that the Roman regime was followed in Herod's army. Watchmen appear have patrolled the streets of the Jewish towns ( Song of Solomon 3:3 5:7; Psalms 127:1 ) where for "maketh" we should substitute "watcheth"; Psalms 130:6 . --William Latham Beyan, in Smith's Dictionary of the Bible, 1863.

HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS

Verse 148. -- The Inexhaustibleness of the Bible. A sermon by Henry Melvill, at "The Golden Lecture." 1850.

Verse 148. -- Meditation. Appropriate time, and fruitful subject.

Verse 148. -- Meditation in the word well worth self denial and care on the part of the Christian.