Psa. 119:49 Remember the Word to Your servant,
Upon which You have caused me to hope.
Psa. 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your Word has given me life.
David starts immediately to tell us what the Word of God does. First, God’s Word causes us to have hope, and it gives us life. This is because there are so many scriptures that talk about God’s Word. One powerful scripture is Psalm 138:2:
You have magnified your Word above your name.
We must remember that for David, it was the written Word of God. Therefore, we know that the statement he made is true because that Word would become flesh, and God will exalt Him and give Him a name above all names. If “Your Word” in Psalm 138:2 refers to the Incarnate Word, then it means that God has magnified His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, above every other manifestation of Himself. Consider the following Scriptures: The name of Jesus Christ is indeed the name “that is above every name” (Phil. 2:9).
We have the scripture that informs us, but we have Jesus that transforms us. Jesus gives us both hope and life – 1 John 5:11-13.
Psa. 119:51 The proud have me in great derision,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.
Psa. 119:52 I remembered Your judgments of old, O LORD,
And have comforted myself.
Next, David admits that outside influences sometimes got to him. He was confused by the proud, and he only has one constant in his life, the law of God. What saves the day for him every time is that he remembers God’s judgments from the past. He has a history with God. He reflects on past experiences and declares:
Some trust in chariots and some trust in horses, but we will remember the Name of our God. They have bowed down and fallen, but we have risen and stood upright – Psalm 20:7-8.
Twice David uses the word “remember.” The word “remember” literally means to be marked to be recognized. His past experiences with God marked his life, and he can trust God and comfort himself knowing that God always comes through and keeps His Word.
Psa. 119:53 Indignation has taken hold of me
Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.
Psa. 119:54 Your statutes have been my songs
In the house of my pilgrimage.
So many times, you see people that are living ignorant lives. They have no awareness of other people. Just fly somewhere, and you will see them at the airport. Go to a restaurant, and you will see them. It is all about them with no regard for God or His Law. So David is angry, and rightfully so. But, the Law of God is good. But, unfortunately, the wicked and ignorant forsake the Law of God.
Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple
David chooses to focus on the statutes of God. Thus, he will sing about the goodness of God while the wicked forsake the Law of God.
Psa. 119:55 I remember Your name in the night, O LORD,
And I keep Your law.
Psa. 119:56 This has become mine,
Because I kept Your precepts.
A third time David talks about remembering, not just the Law but God’s Name. The Name of God is what we can hope in. See how David says it elsewhere:
Psa. 124:8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.
Psa 33:22-24 We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In Him, our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
David started by saying God’s word brings hope and life. Now, he confirms that his experiences with God have become his memories because he kept the Law of God.
What memories are you making with God? We call it our testimonies. What do you have that you can remember when things get hard?
