Musar zu Mischlej 8:17

This is what is meant by the verse, “Surely the righteous will acknowledge Your Name; the upright will dwell in Your Presence” (Tehillim 140:14). When will the righteous give thanks to Your Name? When the upright dwell in Your Presence. That is, when they sit before You in Gan Eden at midnight. Afterwards the three bands of ministering angels that are appointed over the watches of the night sing songs of praise until dawn. Then at dawn it is Israel’s duty to rise and with strength offer songs and praises before the King of the Universe. Why is this? Because they must take over serving after the ministering angels have finished. Moreover, at that time the Holy One Blessed is He is found nearer to earth. This is the meaning of the verse, “And those who seek Me will find Me” (Mishlei 8:17). (The word for “those who seek Me” — meshacharai — contains the word for “dawn” — shachar.) Rabbi Yehudah added: Provided that they do not leave off until it is time to pray as the sun rises.