Daniel 9:4
New International Version
I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,

New Living Translation
I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: “O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands.

English Standard Version
I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,

Berean Standard Bible
And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments,

King James Bible
And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

New King James Version
And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments,

New American Standard Bible
I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, and said, “Oh, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and faithfulness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,

NASB 1995
I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed and said, “Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,

NASB 1977
And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed and said, “Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,

Legacy Standard Bible
And I prayed to Yahweh my God and confessed and said, “Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,

Amplified Bible
I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed and said, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and extends lovingkindness toward those who love Him and keep His commandments,

Christian Standard Bible
I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: Ah, Lord—the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps his gracious covenant with those who love him and keep his commands —

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: Ah, Lord—the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps His gracious covenant with those who love Him and keep His commands—

American Standard Version
And I prayed unto Jehovah my God, and made confession, and said, Oh, Lord, the great and dreadful God, who keepeth covenant and lovingkindness with them that love him and keep his commandments,

English Revised Version
And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I prayed to the LORD my God. I confessed and said, "Lord, you are great and deserve respect as the only God. You keep your promise and show mercy to those who love you and obey your commandments.

Good News Translation
I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed the sins of my people. I said, "Lord God, you are great, and we honor you. You are faithful to your covenant and show constant love to those who love you and do what you command.

International Standard Version
I prayed to the LORD my God, confessing and saying: 'Lord! Great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant and gracious love for those who love him and obey his commandments,

Majority Standard Bible
And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments,

NET Bible
I prayed to the LORD my God, confessing in this way: "O Lord, great and awesome God who is faithful to his covenant with those who love him and keep his commandments,

New Heart English Bible
I prayed to the LORD my God, and made this confession, "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments.

Webster's Bible Translation
And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

World English Bible
I prayed to Yahweh my God, and made confession, and said, “Oh, Lord, the great and dreadful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I pray to my God YHWH, and confess, and say: Ah, now, O Lord God, the great and the fearful, keeping the covenant and the kindness to those loving Him and to those keeping His commands;

Young's Literal Translation
And I pray to Jehovah my God, and confess, and say: 'I beseech Thee, O Lord God, the great and the fearful, keeping the covenant and the kindness to those loving Him, and to those keeping His commands;

Smith's Literal Translation
And I will pray to Jehovah my God, and I will confess and say, Ah, Jehovah, the great and dreadful God, watching the covenant and the mercy to those loving him, and to those watching his commands:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I prayed to the Lord my God, and I made my confession, and said: I beseech thee, O Lord God, great and terrible, who keepest the covenant, and mercy to them that love thee, and keep thy commandments.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I prayed to the Lord, my God, and I confessed, and I said, “I beg you, O Lord God, great and terrible, preserving the covenant and mercy for those who love you and keep your commandments.

New American Bible
I prayed to the LORD, my God, and confessed, “Ah, Lord, great and awesome God, you who keep your covenant and show mercy toward those who love you and keep your commandments and your precepts!

New Revised Standard Version
I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, “Ah, Lord, great and awesome God, keeping covenant and steadfast love with those who love you and keep your commandments,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And I prayed before the LORD my God and made my confession and said, I beseech thee, O LORD, the great and revered God, who keepest the covenant and mercy to them that love him and to them that keep his commandments;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I prayed before LORD JEHOVAH my God, and I gave thanks, and I said: “I beg you, LORD JEHOVAH, God, great and awesome, keeping covenant and grace for those who love him and those who keep his commandments
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made confession, and said: 'O Lord, the great and awful God, who keepest covenant and mercy with them that love Thee and keep Thy commandments,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I prayed to the Lord my God, and confessed, and said, O Lord, the great and wonderful God, keeping thy covenant and thy mercy to them that love thee, and to them that keep thy commandments; we have sinned,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Daniel's Prayer for His People
3So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. 4And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments, 5we have sinned and done wrong. We have acted wickedly and rebelled. We have turned away from Your commandments and ordinances.…

Cross References
Nehemiah 1:5
Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments,

Exodus 20:6
but showing loving devotion to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.

1 Kings 8:23
and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.

Nehemiah 9:32
So now, our God, the great and mighty and awesome God who keeps His gracious covenant, do not view lightly all the hardship that has come upon us, and upon our kings and leaders, our priests and prophets, our ancestors and all Your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today.

Psalm 103:17-18
But from everlasting to everlasting the loving devotion of the LORD extends to those who fear Him, and His righteousness to their children’s children— / to those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.

Psalm 106:45
And He remembered His covenant with them, and relented by the abundance of His loving devotion.

Jeremiah 32:18
You show loving devotion to thousands but lay the iniquity of the fathers into the laps of their children after them, O great and mighty God whose name is the LORD of Hosts,

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome,

John 14:15
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

John 14:21
Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”

John 15:10
If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

2 Timothy 2:13
if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.


Treasury of Scripture

And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

made.

Daniel 9:5-12
We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: …

Leviticus 26:40-42
If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; …

1 Kings 8:47-49
Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness; …

the great.

Exodus 20:6
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Exodus 34:6,7
And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, …

Numbers 14:18,19
The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation

Jump to Previous
Alas Awesome Awful Beseech Commandments Commands Confess Confessed Confession Covenant Dreadful Fearful Great Greatly Keepest Keepeth Keeping Keeps Kindness Loving Loving-Kindness Mercy Obey Orders Prayed Prayer Putting Sins Steadfast Terrible
Jump to Next
Alas Awesome Awful Beseech Commandments Commands Confess Confessed Confession Covenant Dreadful Fearful Great Greatly Keepest Keepeth Keeping Keeps Kindness Loving Loving-Kindness Mercy Obey Orders Prayed Prayer Putting Sins Steadfast Terrible
Daniel 9
1. Daniel, considering the time of the captivity,
3. makes confession of sins,
16. and prays for the restoration of Jerusalem.
20. Gabriel informs him of the seventy weeks.














I prayed to the LORD my God
The phrase "I prayed" indicates a personal and intentional act of communication with God. The Hebrew root for "prayed" is "פלל" (palal), which conveys the idea of interceding or making supplication. This highlights Daniel's role as an intercessor for his people. "The LORD" is translated from "יהוה" (YHWH), the personal name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. "My God" shows Daniel's personal relationship with God, indicating intimacy and reverence.

and confessed
The Hebrew word for "confessed" is "ידה" (yadah), which means to acknowledge or admit. This confession is not just an admission of sin but an act of worship, recognizing God's holiness and righteousness. Daniel's confession sets a pattern for believers, emphasizing the importance of humility and repentance in prayer.

O Lord, the great and awesome God
"Lord" here is "אֲדֹנָי" (Adonai), a title of respect and authority. "Great" is from the Hebrew "גָּדוֹל" (gadol), signifying God's supreme power and majesty. "Awesome" is "נוֹרָא" (nora), which conveys a sense of reverence and fear, acknowledging God's mighty deeds and His awe-inspiring presence. This phrase reflects Daniel's deep respect and awe for God's character.

who keeps His covenant
The word "keeps" is from the Hebrew "שָׁמַר" (shamar), meaning to guard or preserve. This indicates God's faithfulness and reliability. "Covenant" is "בְּרִית" (berit), a solemn agreement or promise. This highlights the unbreakable bond between God and His people, rooted in His steadfast love and commitment.

of loving devotion
"Loving devotion" is translated from "חֶסֶד" (chesed), a rich Hebrew term that encompasses love, kindness, mercy, and loyalty. It is a central theme in the Old Testament, reflecting God's enduring love and grace towards His people. This underscores the relational aspect of God's covenant, based on His unwavering love.

to those who love Him
The phrase "who love Him" uses the Hebrew "אָהַב" (ahav), which means to love deeply or have affection for. This love is not merely emotional but involves a commitment to God and His ways. It signifies a reciprocal relationship where God's love is met with the love and devotion of His people.

and keep His commandments
"Keep" again is "שָׁמַר" (shamar), emphasizing the importance of obedience and faithfulness. "Commandments" is "מִצְוָה" (mitzvah), referring to God's laws and instructions. This phrase highlights the covenantal relationship, where love for God is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments, reflecting a life aligned with His will.

(4) The covenant.--See Exodus 19:5.

Verse 4. - And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and maid, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments. The versions do not call for remark. The first clause is somewhat of a repetition of the end of the previous verse, and may thus be the indication of there having been two recensions; at the same time, the Oriental style allows greater repetition and redundancy than in Western countries would be permitted. There is a reference here to Deuteronomy 7:9, from which the latter clause is quoted verbatim. It is also quoted with equal exactness in Nehemiah 1:5. The chapter in Deuteronomy exhibits God's love for Israel, and hence, as that love is his plea, Daniel appeals to it. We note the evidence of careful acquaintance with preceding Scripture.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And I prayed
וָֽאֶתְפַּֽלְלָ֛ה (wā·’eṯ·pal·lāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6419: To judge, to intercede, pray

to the LORD
לַיהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

my God
אֱלֹהַ֖י (’ĕ·lō·hay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

and confessed,
וָאֶתְוַדֶּ֑ה (wā·’eṯ·wad·deh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3034: To throw, at, away, to revere, worship, to bemoan

“O,
אָנָּ֤א (’ān·nā)
Interjection
Strong's 577: Ah, now! I (we) beseech you!

Lord,
אֲדֹנָי֙ (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

the great
הַגָּדוֹל֙ (hag·gā·ḏō·wl)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

and awesome
וְהַנּוֹרָ֔א (wə·han·nō·w·rā)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

God,
הָאֵ֤ל (hā·’êl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty

who keeps
שֹׁמֵ֤ר (šō·mêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

His covenant
הַבְּרִית֙ (hab·bə·rîṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1285: A covenant

of loving devotion
וְֽהַחֶ֔סֶד (wə·ha·ḥe·seḏ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

to those who love Him
לְאֹהֲבָ֖יו (lə·’ō·hă·ḇāw)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

and keep
וּלְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י (ū·lə·šō·mə·rê)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

His commandments,
מִצְוֺתָֽיו׃ (miṣ·wō·ṯāw)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4687: Commandment


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OT Prophets: Daniel 9:4 I prayed to Yahweh my God (Dan. Da Dn)
Daniel 9:3
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