SEV Biblia, Chapter 16:25
¶ Mas a medianoche, orando Pablo y Silas, cantaban himnos a Dios ; y los que estaban presos los oían.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 16:25
Verse 25. At midnight Paul and Silas-sang praises] Though these holy men felt much, and had reason to fear more, yet they are undismayed, and even happy in their sufferings: they were so fully satisfied that they were right, and had done their duty, that there was no room for regret or self- reproach. At the same times they had such consolations from God as could render any circumstances not only tolerable, but delightful. They prayed, first, for grace to support them, and for pardon and salvation for their persecutors; and then, secondly, sang praises to God, who had called them to such a state of salvation, and had accounted them worthy to suffer shame for the testimony of Jesus. And, although they were in the inner prison, they sang so loud and so heartily that the prisoners heard them.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 25. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed , When others were asleep, and all things were still and quiet; (see Gill on <19B962> Psalm 119:62), and they prayed doubtless for themselves, for their deliverance in Gods time and way, and for support under their present afflictions; and for supplies of grace, to enable them to bear with patience and cheerfulness, until an issue was put to them; and for their enemies, and, particularly it may be for the jailer, who had used them so ill; and for the churches of Christ, for all the saints, and for the spread and success of the Gospel: and sang praises unto God ; or sang an hymn to God, very likely one of Davids psalms, or hymns: for the book of Psalms is a book, of hymns, and several of the psalms are particularly called hymns; this showed not only that they were cheerful, notwithstanding the stripes that were laid upon them, and though their feet were made fast in the stocks, and they were in the innermost prison, in a most loathsome and uncomfortable condition; and though they might be in expectation of greater punishment, and of death itself; but also that they were thankful and glorified God, who had counted them worthy to suffer for his names sake: and the prisoners heard them ; for it seems there were other prisoners besides them, and who were in the outer prison: and from hence it appears, that their prayer was not merely mental; nor was their singing praises only a making melody in their hearts, but were both vocal; and it might be chiefly for the sake of the prisoners, that they both prayed and praised in this manner, that they might hear and be converted; or at least be convicted of the goodness of the cause, for which the apostles suffered.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 25-34 - The consolations of God to his suffering servants are neither few no small. How much more happy are true Christians than their prosperou enemies! As in the dark, so out of the depths, we may cry unto God. N place, no time is amiss for prayer, if the heart be lifted up to God No trouble, however grievous, should hinder us from praise Christianity proves itself to be of God, in that it obliges us to be just to our own lives. Paul cried aloud to make the jailer hear, and to make him heed, saying, Do thyself no harm. All the cautions of the wor of God against sin, and all appearances of it, and approaches to it have this tendency. Man, woman, do not ruin thyself; hurt not thyself and then none else can hurt thee; do not sin, for nothing but that can hurt thee. Even as to the body, we are cautioned against the sins whic do harm to that. Converting grace changes people's language of and to good people and good ministers. How serious the jailer's inquiry! Hi salvation becomes his great concern; that lies nearest his heart, whic before was furthest from his thoughts. It is his own precious soul tha he is concerned about. Those who are thoroughly convinced of sin, an truly concerned about their salvation, will give themselves up to Christ. Here is the sum of the whole gospel, the covenant of grace in few words; Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved and thy house. The Lord so blessed the word, that the jailer was a once softened and humbled. He treated them with kindness an compassion, and, professing faith in Christ, was baptized in that name with his family. The Spirit of grace worked such a strong faith in them, as did away further doubt; and Paul and Silas knew by the Spirit that a work of God was wrought in them. When sinners are thu converted, they will love and honour those whom they before despise and hated, and will seek to lessen the suffering they before desired to increase. When the fruits of faith begin to appear, terrors will be followed by confidence and joy in God.
Greek Textus Receptus
κατα 2596 PREP δε 1161 CONJ το 3588 T-ASN μεσονυκτιον 3317 N-ASN παυλος 3972 N-NSM και 2532 CONJ σιλας 4609 N-NSM προσευχομενοι 4336 5740 V-PNP-NPM υμνουν 5214 5707 V-IAI-3P τον 3588 T-ASM θεον 2316 N-ASM επηκροωντο 1874 5711 V-INI-3P δε 1161 CONJ αυτων 846 P-GPM οι 3588 T-NPM δεσμιοι 1198 N-NPM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
25. Prayed and sang praises (proseucomenoi umnoun). Lit., praying, they sang hymns. The praying and the praise are not described as distinct acts. Their singing of hymns was their prayer, probably Psalms.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
16:25 {About midnight} (kata de mesonuktion). Middle of the night, old adjective seen already in #Mr 13:35; Lu 11:5 which see. {Were praying and singing} (proseucomenoi humnoun). Present middle participle and imperfect active indicative: Praying they were singing (simultaneously, blending together petition and praise). humnew is an old verb from humnos (cf. #Isa 12:4; Da 3:23). Paul and Silas probably used portions of the Psalms (cf. #Lu 1:39f.,67f.; 2:28f.) with occasional original outbursts of praise. {Were listening to them} (epekrownto autwn). Imperfect middle of epakroaomai. Rare verb to listen with pleasure as to a recitation or music (Page). It was a new experience for the prisoners and wondrously attractive entertainment to them.
