John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. And they stood up in their place , etc.] In the outward court of the temple, where men used to stand when they prayed and confessed their sins: and read in the book of the law of the Lord their God; that they might the better know the mind and will of God, and do their duty: this they did one fourth part of the day ; the space of three hours, from sun rising, or six o’clock in the morning, to the time of the morning sacrifice, which was about nine o’clock: and another fourth part they confessed ; the goodness of God to them, and the sins they had been guilty of: and worshipped the Lord their God ; bowed down before him in prayer and supplication, and so spent three hours more, which reached to noon or twelve o’clock; and from thence to three o’clock, about the time of the evening sacrifice, and from thence to sun setting, or six o’clock, and so spent the whole day in the above exercises alternately.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-3 - The word will direct and quicken prayer, for by it the Spirit helps ou infirmities in prayer. The careful study of God's word will more an more discover to us our own sinfulness, and the plenteousness of his salvation; thus it calls us to mourn for sin, and to rejoice in him Every discovery of the truth of God, should render us more unwearied i attendance on his sacred word, and on his worship.
Original Hebrew ויקומו6965 על5921 עמדם5977 ויקראו7121 בספר5612 תורת8451 יהוה3068 אלהיהם430 רבעית7243 היום3117 ורבעית7243 מתודים3034 ומשׁתחוים7812 ליהוה3068 אלהיהם׃430
