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Job 35:10
But none saith, Whereis God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;

Psalm 22:2
O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.

Psalm 42:8
Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his songshall be with me,and my prayer unto the God of my life.

prayed.

Psalm 50:15
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Psalm 77:2
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.

Psalm 91:15
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: Iwill be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

sang.

Acts 5:41
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Psalm 34:1
A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praiseshall continuallybe in my mouth.

Matthew 5:10,11
Blessedare they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…

and the.

Ezra 3:12,13
But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers,who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: …

Psalm 71:7
I am as a wonder unto many; but thouart my strong refuge.

Zechariah 3:8
Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for theyare men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.

Paul and Silas
Paul and Silas were key figures in the early Christian church, with Paul being an apostle and Silas a leader in the Jerusalem church. Their partnership in ministry is highlighted inActs 15:40, where they are sent out together on a missionary journey. Their presence in Philippi, a Roman colony, is part of their mission to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles.

were praying and singing hymns to God
Despite their imprisonment, Paul and Silas engage in prayer and worship, demonstrating their unwavering faith and trust in God. This act of worship in the face of suffering is reminiscent of Job's response to his trials (Job 1:20-21). Singing hymns was a common practice in Jewish and early Christian worship, as seen inEphesians 5:19 andColossians 3:16, where believers are encouraged to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

and the other prisoners were listening to them
The presence of other prisoners highlights the communal aspect of the prison setting. The fact that they were listening suggests that Paul and Silas's actions had a profound impact on those around them, potentially softening their hearts to the message of the Gospel. This scenario foreshadows the conversion of the Philippian jailer and his household later in the chapter (Acts 16:30-34), illustrating the power of witness through worship and testimony.

• The phrase sets the scene in the deepest part of the night, the moment when darkness feels longest and human resources are lowest.

• Scripture often highlights midnight as a time when God acts decisively—Exodus 12:29 shows judgment and deliverance, whilePsalm 119:62 records the psalmist rising “at midnight to give You thanks.”

• Later,Acts 20:7–11 depicts another late-night gathering around Paul, reminding us that kingdom work and worship are not confined to daylight hours.

• Beaten, chained, and surrounded by hostile guards (Acts 16:22–24), they choose conversation with God over complaint.

• Their behavior reflects1 Thessalonians 5:16-18—“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.”

• Prayer in prison recallsActs 12:5, where the church interceded earnestly for Peter; God’s people instinctively turn to prayer in crisis.

• Praise flows alongside petitions.Psalm 34:1 declares, “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips,” and Paul and Silas embody that verse.

•Ephesians 5:19 urges believers to fill the air with “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” Even a dungeon becomes a sanctuary when hearts choose worship.

• Their songs magnify God’s greatness above their pain, echoingPsalm 42:8, where the Lord gives a song in the night.

• The testimony is public. Chains do not mute witness; they amplify it.Matthew 5:16 encourages letting light shine before others, so they may see and glorify the Father.

•1 Peter 2:12 notes that upright conduct among unbelievers leads them to “glorify God on the day He visits us.” The captives around Paul and Silas hear firsthand faith under fire.

•Acts 4:13 shows that boldness coupled with joy makes the gospel attractive; here, the joyful sounds pierce the gloom, preparing hearts for the earthquake and the jailer’s conversion that follow (Acts 16:26-34).

Acts 16:25 reveals that midnight trials provide unmatched stages for prayerful, praising faith. Paul and Silas turn a dark, fetid cell into a place of worship, choosing communion with God over despair. Their unwavering joy not only sustains them but also draws the attention of everyone nearby, setting the scene for God’s miraculous intervention. The verse invites believers to meet every midnight—literal or figurative—with the same blend of prayer, praise, and confident witness, trusting the Lord to use it for His glory and others’ salvation.

And the prisoners heard them.--Better,were listening eagerly,the kind of listening which men give to a musical performance. Never before, we may be sure, had those outcasts and criminals heard such sounds in such a place. For the most part those vaults echoed only with wild curses and foul jests.