Psalm 119 55

Psalm 119:55 kjv

I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.

Psalm 119:55 nkjv

I remember Your name in the night, O LORD, And I keep Your law.

Psalm 119:55 niv

In the night, LORD, I remember your name, that I may keep your law.

Psalm 119:55 esv

I remember your name in the night, O LORD, and keep your law.

Psalm 119:55 nlt

I reflect at night on who you are, O LORD;
therefore, I obey your instructions.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 55 Meaning

Psalm 119:55 expresses the psalmist's deep commitment to remembering the personal, covenantal character and identity of God (His "Name") specifically during the quiet, solitary hours of the night. This active remembrance of who God is and what He has revealed then directly translates into the disciplined, joyful practice and observance of God's revealed instruction and statutes (His "law"). It signifies that even in times of solitude or potential struggle, the remembrance of God’s nature fuels obedience to His commands.

Psalm 119 55 Context

Psalm 119 is an extended acrostic poem, where each stanza (composed of eight verses) begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Verse 55 is part of the "Nun" section (verses 49-56). The overarching theme of Psalm 119 is the profound and abiding love for God's Word (Law, testimonies, statutes, precepts, commandments, rules, decrees, promises, ways, ordinances). It explores various facets of how the Word shapes one's life, offers comfort in affliction, provides guidance, and serves as an object of meditation and delight.

Specifically, within the "Nun" section (Ps 119:49-56), the psalmist reflects on God's steadfast love and mercy, particularly in relation to the promises found in His Word. The psalmist expresses finding comfort and hope in God's promises even in times of trouble (v. 50). He remembers God’s judgments of old and finds comfort (v. 52). Indignation against the wicked, who forsake God's law, also characterizes this section (v. 53). In this context, verse 55 highlights a deeply personal, internal spiritual discipline: remembering God’s character and commands even in the night, a time often associated with rest, but also with introspection, anxiety, or darkness. It reveals how internalizing God's attributes sustains one's commitment to His law, even apart from external pressures.

Psalm 119 55 Word analysis

• I remember (זָכַר, zakhar): This is not passive recall, but an active, conscious effort to bring to mind and acknowledge. It implies an internal discipline of recollection, to make present again in the mind God's essence and actions. This remembering is fundamental to the Israelite faith, as seen in remembering the Exodus and God’s covenant acts.
• Your name (שִׁמְךָ, shimkā): More than just a title, "Your name" refers to God's revealed character, His very being, His attributes, and His acts. It encompasses His power, faithfulness, holiness, love, and justice—all that He is and has shown Himself to be, particularly as "Yahweh," the covenant God who is eternally present and fulfills His promises. It represents the totality of divine revelation about God Himself.
• O LORD (יְהֹוָה, Yahweh): The tetragrammaton, God's personal covenant name revealed to Moses. It underscores God's active presence, His eternal nature, and His unwavering commitment to His people and His promises. Addressing God by this Name highlights a deeply personal and relational bond.
• in the night (בַּלַּיְלָה, bal-laylāh): This is a crucial temporal detail. The night is a time of solitude, quiet, and reduced external distractions, making it conducive to introspection and meditation. It can also be a time of vulnerability, fear, or temptation, emphasizing the psalmist's sustained focus on God even in challenging or solitary moments when darkness or anxiety might typically creep in. It speaks to a faith that persists beyond public performance or daylight routine.
• and keep (וָאֶשְׁמְרָה, wā’ešmᵉrāh, from שָׁמַר, shamar): This verb means to guard, observe, watch over, preserve, and diligently obey. It implies active preservation and faithful adherence. It is not a casual obedience but a conscious, careful, and committed preservation of the law, treating it as a precious trust.
• Your law (תּוֹרָתֶךָ, tōrāthekā, from תּוֹרָה, torah): This broad term refers to God’s instruction, teaching, direction, and entire body of revealed will, not merely a rigid set of rules. It embodies God's benevolent guidance for life. Keeping it means living according to divine wisdom and righteousness.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• I remember Your name, O LORD, in the night: This phrase emphasizes the internal spiritual discipline of conscious recollection of God's revealed character and covenant presence during times of personal solitude. The remembrance of "Your name, O LORD" in the stillness and potential introspection of "the night" strengthens faith against potential doubts or fears. It highlights that understanding God's nature is a deeply personal and ongoing exercise, especially when worldly distractions are minimized.
• and keep Your law: This follows as the natural and inevitable outcome of the first phrase. The act of remembering and reflecting on who God is (His name) directly inspires and enables the consistent, faithful obedience to His instruction (His law). The psalmist's spiritual discipline in the dark hours translates into ethical living and devotion during the day, signifying that inner knowledge of God propels outward obedience. It underscores a holistic piety where theology (knowing God's name) leads to orthopraxy (keeping His law).

Psalm 119 55 Bonus section

The act of "remembering" (זָכַר, zakhar) is central to the Old Testament understanding of faithfulness. It implies not just mental recall but bringing the remembered truth to bear on the present situation, influencing actions and attitudes. This goes beyond mere historical recollection to active covenant renewal. For the psalmist, remembering God's Name is an act of covenant remembrance—calling to mind the One who entered into relationship with His people and is utterly reliable. The juxtaposition of "in the night" and "keep Your law" suggests that true adherence to God’s instruction is not conditional on easy circumstances or public display, but flows from a hidden, intimate spiritual discipline. It is a reminder that the health of our external actions is often a reflection of the internal state cultivated in our moments of solitude with God and His Word. This intimate spiritual work is the foundation for steadfastness.

Psalm 119 55 Commentary

Psalm 119:55 profoundly connects personal contemplation with practical obedience. The psalmist reveals a deeply internalized faith where the knowledge of God’s nature drives His actions. Remembering God’s Name—all that He is in His revealed character, attributes, and covenant faithfulness—is not merely an intellectual exercise. It is a heartfelt recollection, particularly poignant in "the night," a time that allows for unhindered spiritual focus, yet also often presents challenges, loneliness, or internal struggles. In these quiet hours, recalling God's eternal truth and past faithfulness becomes the anchor. This meditative remembrance directly cultivates a steadfast determination to "keep His law," transforming abstract knowledge of God into active, disciplined obedience to His will. It’s a powerful statement that one's devotion and practical walk with God are nourished and sustained by a continual, deep engagement with who God is, independent of external circumstances.

• Example for practical usage: When facing a challenging decision or a period of anxiety at night, instead of dwelling on worries, intentionally recall specific attributes of God (e.g., His faithfulness from past experiences, His promise to provide, His unchanging love) and meditate on specific commands or principles from His Word relevant to the situation. This leads to inner peace and the wisdom to act according to His will in the morning.