Dan 9:3-20 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 3. I set my face-to seek by prayer ] He found that the time of the promised deliverance could not be at any great distance; and as he saw nothing that indicated a speedy termination of their oppressive captivity, he was very much afflicted, and earnestly besought God to put a speedy end to it; and how earnestly he seeks, his own words show. He prayed , he supplicated , he fasted , he put sackcloth upon his body, and he put ashes upon his head. He uses that kind of prayer prescribed by Solomon in his prayer at the dedication of the temple. See .

‏ Daniel 9:3-20

Verse 3. I set my face-to seek by prayer] He found that the time of the promised deliverance could not be at any great distance; and as he saw nothing that indicated a speedy termination of their oppressive captivity, he was very much afflicted, and earnestly besought God to put a speedy end to it; and how earnestly he seeks, his own words show. He prayed, he supplicated, he fasted, he put sackcloth upon his body, and he put ashes upon his head. He uses that kind of prayer prescribed by Solomon in his prayer at the dedication of the temple. See 1Ki 8:47, 48.

Verse 4. Keeping the covenant] Fidelity and truth are characteristics of God. He had never yet broken his engagements to his followers, and was ever showing mercy to men.

Verse 7. All Israel, that are near, and that are far off] He prays both for Judah and Israel. The latter were more dispersed, and had been much longer in captivity.

Verse 9. Mercies and forgivenesses] From God's goodness flow God's mercies; from his mercies, forgivenesses.

Verse 11. Therefore the curse is poured upon us] It is probable that he alludes here to the punishment of certain criminals by pouring melted metal upon them; therefore he uses the word tittach, it is poured out, like melted metal, for this is the proper meaning of the root nathach.

Verse 14. The Lord watched upon the evil] In consequence of our manifold rebellions he hath now watched for an opportunity to bring these calamities upon us.

Verse 17. And cause thy face to shine] Give us proof that thou art reconciled to us.

Verse 19. Thy city and thy people are called by thy name.] The holy city, the city of the great King. I think it scarcely possible for any serious man to read these impressive and pleading words without feeling a measure of the prophet's earnestness.