Psalm 119:62
At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules. Psalm 119:62
I relate to this verse. As I get older, I find my nightly sleep more interrupted than I would like. With that, I find myself praying more during these sleepless periods. A great deal of comfort and security has been experienced as I prayerfully call to mind more about what God is doing in my life.
The King James Version offers more insight…
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments. — Psalm 119:62 KJV
“At midnight…” The Hebrew tradition would not have considered midnight to be 12:00AM as we do. It would have been understood to be “the middle of the night;” halfway between dusk and dawn.
“…I rise to praise you,” The two translations give different emphasis. The ESV says “praise” while the KJV implies “thanks.” Both are forms of worship. Both recognize it is the middle of the night and God is on the Psalmist’s mind with praise and thanksgiving.
“…because of your righteous rules.” The why behind this reality is because the Psalmist loves and holds dear to the Word of God. He has enjoyed the rules of God, and he has enjoyed God ruling over his life. The Psalmist is not restricted or discouraged by God’s rule. In contrast, he relishes God’s rules to the point of bringing them to mind even in the middle of the night.
In chapter 11 of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus said these things about his own heart:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
—Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
So, when we find ourselves up during the middle of the night due to sleep interruption, I would encourage you to think on the heart of Jesus. Here Jesus says, “I am gentle and lowly in heart.”
There are things that can enter my mind once I wake up. Cares of the day, financial pressures, home tasks, family illnesses, time constraints, relationship stress, and personal struggles are all examples of what could fill my mind in the dark of night. Functionally, if I do not have healthy choices to fill my thoughts, I could be on the verge of making poor spiritual and/or emotional choices.
Knowing this, I encourage you to take the initiative. Have your Bible available to read, and fill your mind with the truth of God’s Word.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things and rest.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. — Philippians 4:8 ESV
While Burke Care does not claim to have a cure for sleeplessness, we can listen to understand what in your life may be affecting your rest. We would love to learn more about your story and walk with you as God shows you more ways to rest in Him.
Jesus, teach me to abide in You more. You say that You are the vine and I am the branch. Show me new ways to abide so that my life would bear much fruit in You. For I know apart from You I can do nothing. Amen!
Application Questions:
Have I ever considered abiding, resting, or even sleeping as a form of worship?
What is my go-to plan should I find myself sleepless in the middle of the night?
I talk to myself more than anyone else. What do I say to myself when sleep eludes me?
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