Psalm 119:49

Remember the word unto thy servant,
upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
~ Psalm 119:49

The seventh stanza of this Psalm is about comfort in and through God’s Word. The Psalmist draws strength from fulfilled promises and ready help in distress from the Word. The result is strengthening rather than straying when faced with derision.

Remember the word unto thy servant,

This is a prayer of faith that isn’t a reminder to God but rather an appeal to God’s faithfulness to His Word. God has spoken it and will also do it (Isaiah 46:11). He isn’t seeking some new thing but praying in line with our Lord when He taught the disciples to pray, “Thy will be done” (Matthew 6:10).

Remember is a term associated with God’s covenant faithfulness. He remembers His covenant and therefore will keep the promise (Genesis 9:15-16; Leviticus 26:42-45). This was the way Moses prayed (Exodus 32:13).

upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

Comfort for the Psalmist did not rest in signs and wonders but his hope was upon the Word of God. The patriarchs of faith in Hebrews 11 died without receiving the promises (Hebrews 11:39), but they died in faith and faith is the “substance of things hoped for” (Hebrews 1:1). Their hope was in the sure Word of God and had no other ground. So the Psalmist turns to God and His Word at all times for hope and comfort.

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