Psalm 119:55
I remember your name in the night, O LORD, and keep your law. Psalm 119:55
The late David Powlison, known for his ability for asking penetrating questions, wrote in “Suffering and Psalm 119” for the Journal of Biblical Counseling (Fall 2004) about how Psalm 119 ministered to him during sleepless hours following heart surgery years prior.
So how is it with you? Where do you need Psalm 119 to befriend you? Is it the grind of sleepless nights, and the question of where you will park your mind? Does some difficult form of lovelessness repeatedly puncture and distemper your life — worry, fears, sexual lust, bitterness, lying, temper, despair, procrastination? Where do you need grown-up help, not good intentions, and quick fixes? “I am Yours, Save me. Teach me.”
The Psalmist is taking the time to remember something about his relationship with God that is important to him. Important enough to speak it back to God with quiet confidence and intentionality.
“I remember your name…” To the Hebrew people, a name meant something significant. When the Psalmist makes the statement “I remember your name” he is saying that he remembers God’s name(s), character, attributes, promises, and much more. This person’s name was marked by significance and meaning.
“…in the night, O LORD,” Like Powlison’s experience during sleepless nights, the Psalmist alludes to hours of thoughtfully remembering God’s past mercies, His current protection, and future provision in days to come.
“…and keep your law.” Looking closely at the verse, we see the Psalmist say, “your name” then “your law.” The Psalmist is saying God’s name reminds him of God’s laws. And vice versa, God laws reminds him of God’s name. He feels closely related to God because he follows His commandments.
Meditating on God’s character and attributes keeps us mindful of who God is and what He promised. When I was a child, I did not hear the Bible read verse by verse, book by book, much less cover to cover. I heard a little here and a little there which created gaps in my understanding of God and my faith in Jesus. This kept me from fully trusting in Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
Today we have smart phones with an app for everything you can imagine. Increasingly I hear men say they use an app for Bible reading. While there is nothing wrong with that, I often wonder if they are just doing a fancy, high-tech version of what I did as a child. I pray that they will invest the time to allow God to reveal Himself through His Word, which is the primary way God reveals Himself. I pray they would want the entire revelation of God found in Scripture.
If you struggle with who God is and how He reveals Himself to His children, consider contacting the Burke Care team to help you know more.
My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.
—Psalm 119:148
Application Questions:
Do I really know God as well as I pretend to know God?
Do I long to have God on my mind today, like I long for a meal or beverage or visit from a friend?
What captures my mind when I find myself unable to sleep?
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