Albert Barnes Commentary Daniel 9:19

"O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God, because thy city and thy people are called by thy name." — Daniel 9:19 (ASV)

O Lord, hear ... - The language in this verse does not require any particular explanation. The repetition—the varied forms of expression—indicates a mind intent on the object, a heart greatly interested, and an earnestness that cannot be denied. It is language that is respectful, solemn, and devout, but deeply earnest.

This is not vain repetition, for its force is not in the "words" employed, but in the manifest fervour, earnestness, and sincerity of spirit that pervade the pleading. It is earnest intercession and supplication that God would hear—that he would forgive, that he would hearken and do, that he would not defer his gracious interposition.

The sins of the people, the desolation of the city, the promises of God, and the reproach that the nation was suffering—all these come rushing over the soul and prompt the most earnest pleading that perhaps ever proceeded from human lips.

And these things justified that earnest pleading—for the prayer was that of a prophet, a man of God, a man who loved his country, and a man who was intent on the promotion of the Divine glory as the supreme object of his life. Such earnest intercession, such confession of sin, and such a dwelling on arguments why a prayer should be heard, is at all times acceptable to God. And though it cannot be supposed that the Divine Mind needs to be instructed, or that our arguments will convince God or influence him as arguments influence people, yet it is undoubtedly proper to urge them as if they would, for it may be only in this way that our own minds can be brought into a proper state.

The great argument we are to urge why our prayers should be heard is the sacrifice that has been made for sin by the Redeemer, and the fact that he has purchased for us the blessings that we need. But in connection with that, it is proper to urge our own sins and necessities; the wants of our friends or our country; our own danger and that of others; the interposition of God in the past on behalf of his people; and his own gracious promises and purposes.

If we have the spirit, the faith, the penitence, the earnestness of Daniel, we may be sure that our prayers will be heard as his was.