Psalm 55:16–17 — God Who Hears Every Cry

Psalm 55:16–17

"As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice."
— Psalm 55:16–17 (NIV)

Reflection

Some pain is not brief. It lingers across days and nights, showing up in every corner of life. Psalm 55:16–17 speaks into that kind of relentless distress. The psalmist does not dress up his words; he names the ache, calling out morning, noon, and night. His prayer is not occasional or polished. It is continuous, and it is desperate.

Yet notice the certainty: the Lord saves me … He hears my voice. The repetition of prayer matches the repetition of God’s attentiveness. Every cry meets His listening ears. Our God - He who does not grow weary of your voice - receives your every wave of distress. This is not about bothering heaven with too many words, but about leaning again and again into a Father who never turns away.

When sorrow stretches long and exhaustion makes faith feel thin, this verse assures you that your cries are not wasted in the air. They rise to the One who hears and responds, not only with deliverance at the right time but with sustaining presence right now.

Biblical Insight

Psalm 55 is a lament attributed to David, likely composed during a time of betrayal. The context is raw — the psalmist has been wounded by someone close, and the pain is both personal and profound. Into that grief, David sets the pattern of unbroken prayer. Morning, noon, and evening reflect the whole of daily life, echoing Israel’s rhythm of prayer and sacrifice. This verse underlines a vital truth: God’s attentiveness is not limited to moments of ritual. He listens across the whole span of human anguish, however often and however raw the words may be.

In Application

• Allow yourself to pray repeatedly through the day, without worrying about polish. God values honesty more than eloquence.
• When despair whispers that you are unheard, return to this verse as a reminder that God does not tire of you.
• See repetition not as weakness but as faith in practice. Each cry reaffirms trust that God hears and cares.

Practical Journaling

Reflect on Psalm 55:16–17, then write honestly:

• What distress feels most persistent for you right now — the concern that follows you morning, noon, and night?
• Have there been times when God’s attentiveness became clear only after long waiting?
• How might you remind yourself today that every cry matters to Him, no matter how many times it is repeated?

Take as much time as you need with this exercise, and if writing feels too difficult today, simply holding these questions in prayer is enough.