Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 55:17

"Evening, and morning, and at noonday, will I complain, and moan; And he will hear my voice." — Psalms 55:17 (ASV)

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray - In another place (Psalms 119:164), the psalmist says that he engaged in acts of devotion seven times a day. Daniel prayed three times a day (Daniel 6:10). David went, in his troubles, before God evening, morning, and mid-day, in solemn, earnest prayer. So Paul, in a time of great distress, gave himself on three set occasions to earnest prayer for deliverance. See the notes at 2 Corinthians 12:8. This verse, therefore, does not prove that it was a regular habit of David to pray three times a day; but in view of the passage, it may be remarked:

1. It is proper to have regular seasons for devotion, of frequent occurrence; and
2. There are favorable and suitable times for devotion.

The morning and the evening are obviously appropriate; and it is well to divide the day also by prayer - to seek, at mid-day, the rest from bodily and mental toil which is secured by communion with God - and to implore that strength which we need for the remaining duties of the day. True religion is cultivated by frequent and regular seasons of devotion.

And cry aloud - The word here employed properly means to murmur; to make a humming sound; to sigh; to growl; to groan. See the notes at Psalm 42:5. Here the language means that he would give utterance to his deep feelings in appropriate tones - whether words, sighs, or groans. To the deep thoughts and sorrows of his soul he would often give suitable expression before God.

And he shall hear my voice - The confident language of faith, as in Psalm 55:16.