Evening and morning and afternoon, I will speak. From here we learn that a person should pray three times a day, and who established them? The patriarchs of the world did. Abraham established the morning prayer, as it is said (Genesis 19:27), "And Abraham arose early in the morning, etc." "Standing" refers only to prayer, as it is said (Psalms 106:30), "And Phinehas stood and prayed."
Isaac established the afternoon prayer, as it is said (Genesis 24:63), "And Isaac went out to meditate in the field, etc." "Meditation" refers only to prayer, as it is said (Psalms 102:1), "A prayer for the afflicted, when he faints and pours out his complaint before the Lord." Jacob established the evening prayer, as it is said (Genesis 28:11), "And he came to a certain place and slept there, etc." "Encountered" refers only to prayer, as it is said (Jeremiah 7:16), "Therefore, do not pray for this people, etc." "And do not encounter me."
David said, "Since the patriarchs established them, evening and morning and afternoon, I will speak." "May my soul be redeemed in peace." Rabbi Joshua ben Levi asked, "What is the meaning of 'May my soul be redeemed in peace'?" "The icons of angels walk before this person, and they declare before him and say, 'Make way for the icons of the Omnipresent!'
Why did Rabbi Yudan say in the name of Rabbi Levi, 'Because there is no square cubit in the universe without a destructive spirit, and each and every one is given a permission slip to operate?' Just as these donkeys of the millers have shields to protect them, why should they not harm people?" And at the time when a person's hour arrives, the angel of death appears over the face of the one causing harm, and he looks at the person and his harm.
Therefore, it is announced to the person that he should not harm him. Say, "Deliver my soul in peace, draw me close to you, and let the harmful ones not approach me. Say this because many were with me." These are the kings who were under his control, as it is said, "A thousand may fall at your side."
Another explanation: What is "draw me close to you"? David said, "I see Daniel standing among the lions' dens, and they do not harm him." He began to say, "Deliver my soul in peace, so that the lions do not come near him." And who caused him to be saved?
Because many were with him. Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah also prayed on their behalf, and therefore God heard them. Another explanation: This verse is said about Rachel, "Draw me close to you." This is so that Esau's advice concerning Rachel should not come close to her.
Why? Because that was the condition under which Jacob took Leah and Esau took Rachel. And who caused Jacob (meaning Rachel) to be saved from his hand? Because many were with him. Therefore, say, "Deliver my soul in peace, for many were with me." These were the Sanhedrin who were with him....