Psalm 143 5

Psalm 143:5 kjv

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

Psalm 143:5 nkjv

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands.

Psalm 143:5 niv

I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.

Psalm 143:5 esv

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

Psalm 143:5 nlt

I remember the days of old.
I ponder all your great works
and think about what you have done.

Psalm 143 verses

Psalm 143 5 Meaning

This verse signifies a pivotal shift in the psalmist's deep lament, moving from an overwhelmed focus on his present distress to a deliberate turning towards God. It expresses an intentional spiritual discipline where the psalmist, overwhelmed by troubles, chooses to recall God's faithfulness and mighty acts throughout history and in his own past. By meditating deeply on God's divine power demonstrated through His creation and interventions, he seeks to reignite his hope and trust in God's unchanging character and ability to deliver him again.

Psalm 143 5 Context

Psalm 143 is the last of the seven Penitential Psalms (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143). It is a desperate lament, with David expressing profound distress, feeling overwhelmed by enemies and sin. He faces circumstances where his spirit faints within him (v. 4). Verse 5 marks a significant turning point in his prayer. Instead of sinking deeper into despair, David deliberately chooses a spiritual antidote: he recalls God's past acts of faithfulness and power. Historically, this psalm is attributed to David and could reflect his distress during periods of intense persecution, such as Absalom's rebellion (2 Sam 15-18) or his flight from Saul (1 Sam 19-27). In such dark times, the only light and hope he finds is in the unchanging character of God, demonstrated through His "works" and "hands" throughout history and in David's own life.

Psalm 143 5 Word analysis

• I remember (זָכַר, zakhar): More than just intellectual recall, this Hebrew term implies an active engagement with the past, bringing God's previous deeds to the forefront of current consciousness. It's a mindful reflection, often tied to covenant faithfulness—remembering what God has done obligates one to trust He will do it again. It combats present forgetfulness.
• the days of old (יְמוֹת קֶדֶם, yemot qedem): This refers to ancient times, past generations, or the history of God's interaction with His people. It encompasses the mighty acts of God in Israel's history (e.g., Exodus, crossing the Red Sea, sustenance in the wilderness, conquest of Canaan) and likely also specific personal deliverances David had experienced. It highlights a long-standing pattern of God's intervention.
• I meditate (שׂוּחַ, sûakh): This word signifies a deep, contemplative reflection, often a private, inner conversation with oneself focused intently on a subject. It implies quiet consideration, musing, or devotion. Unlike casual thought, it is purposeful, soaking in the details and implications of God's deeds. This is not passive but an active mental process to internalize truth.
• on all your works (בְּכָל פָּעֳלֶךָ, bekhol pa'olekha): "Works" (פָּעַל, pa'al) here means all of God's accomplished deeds, His interventions, actions, and historical acts of deliverance and judgment. This is a comprehensive term, encompassing the totality of God's active involvement in the world, not just a select few actions. It suggests the vastness of divine activity across all time.
• I muse (הָגָה, hagah): This word suggests a deeper, more profound form of meditation, sometimes accompanied by murmuring or muttering—an almost audible rumination. It implies an intensive, perhaps agonizing, and very thorough internal processing of a thought or experience. It moves beyond just thinking to a deep absorption and prayerful wrestling with the truth. This is reflection that penetrates the entire being.
• on the work of your hands (בְּמַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶיךָ, b'ma'aseh yadekha): This phrase emphasizes God's direct agency and power. "Work of your hands" often refers specifically to creation (Ps 8:3, Ps 19:1) but also encompasses His powerful deeds in history, signifying God as the master craftsman and sovereign doer. It highlights God's power, wisdom, and deliberate action in everything He performs, showcasing His immeasurable capability.

• "I remember... I meditate... I muse...": This sequence demonstrates a progression from broad recall to increasingly deep and intense personal reflection. It is an intentional spiritual exercise undertaken by the psalmist to engage his mind and spirit with God's character, moving from a general memory to profound contemplation and spiritual assimilation. This internal process leads to transformed perspective and renewed faith.
• "your works" and "the work of your hands": The repetition, using slightly different but complementary terms, emphasizes the psalmist's thoroughness in focusing on God's active involvement in creation and history. "Works" might imply all God's acts, while "work of your hands" specifically highlights the direct, powerful, and masterful nature of God's craftsmanship and action.

Psalm 143 5 Bonus section

• This act of "remembering" is not mere intellectual assent; it is a transformative spiritual practice that acknowledges God's unchangeable character, establishing His consistency through time. "As in the days of old" implicitly prays for God to act again in similar power.
• The Hebrew words for "meditate" (suach) and "muse" (hagah) are closely related and can often be synonymous. However, their use here suggests an intensified and multifaceted intellectual and spiritual wrestling that is deeply internal yet all-encompassing, touching emotions and will.
• For the biblical mind, "the works of God's hands" included not just creation but also the miraculous acts of salvation and judgment throughout Israel's history. It was the concrete proof of God's power and faithfulness.
• This verse serves as a powerful antidote to anxiety and fear, shifting focus from perceived overwhelming circumstances to the all-sufficient God who remains steadfast across all generations.

Psalm 143 5 Commentary

Psalm 143:5 encapsulates a crucial spiritual discipline in the midst of overwhelming distress. The psalmist, burdened by external threats and inner despondency, chooses not to wallow but to actively engage his memory and mind with the reality of God's proven faithfulness. This verse illustrates the power of retrospect—looking back at God's past actions, both in grand history ("days of old") and perhaps in personal experience, to fortify faith for present challenges. "Remember," "meditate," and "muse" show a deepening engagement: from conscious recall to thoughtful consideration, culminating in profound, almost devotional contemplation. By fixing his mind on God's "works" and "the work of Your hands"— His comprehensive actions in creation and providence—the psalmist redirects his attention from the problem to the all-powerful Problem-Solver. This spiritual shift prevents despair by grounding current hope in the unchangeable character of God, who has always been active and powerful. It is a timeless blueprint for finding solace and courage when life's trials seem insurmountable: remember who God is by remembering what He has done.