Psalm 119: Zayin

The seventh letter of the Hebrew alphabet is Zayin (pronounced ZAH-yeen). According to the Hebrew tradition: "All sevens are blessed." (Check out Zayin at: http://www.hebrew4christians.com/.) Seven is considered the number of completion, wholeness, blessing, and rest.

I wonder what blessing we might find...

Read Psalm 119:49-56

Zayin is for "remember."

Why do we remember? Because we are afraid we're going to forget.

A string tied around the finger, a hot pink sticky note, or a note written directly on the hand are ways we try to remember things we don't want to forget. Birthdays, homework, groceries, phone numbers, laundry at the cleaners, loved ones at the airport, kids at school. Timers remind us that dinner is in the oven. Alarm clocks remind us to wake up. Calendars remind us what day it is. Dayplanners remind us where we need to be during the day.

We need to remember things because they are important.

Important people or important activities.

The pslamist tells God to remember...

Remember your word to your servant,

for you have given me hope.

Psalm 119:49

We have seen the importance of God's Word to our Hebrew friend -- it is his source of security (see Vav). It is his hope. The NKJV translates"you have given me hope" as "You have caused me to hope" (emphasis mine). Sometimes it seems easier to dive into a pit of despair than to endure suffering, but God's Word caused him to hope -- gave him a reason to persevere rather than curl up in a hole and die! He wants to make sure that God does NOT forget the promises He made.

My comfort in my suffering is this:

Your promise preserves my life.

Psalm 119:50

In the middle of this hostile territory, where the brokenness of the world causes suffering on many different levels, God's promise gives life: reviving our hearts and our hopes! 

Remember God...don't forget...I'm counting on You to come through! You promised!

***

The writer then tells God that he remembers... the wicked neglect God's law and it makes him sick, but he finds comfort in God's Word on his pilgrimage to the promised land... he remembers...

Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge.

Psalm 119:54

In typical psalmist fashion, he set God's laws to music -- they are his theme song.

In the night I remember your name, O Lord...

Psalm 119:55

To remember the "name" of God does not mean to merely recall the word "G-o-d". To remember the name of God is to meditate on His character. When we think about the name of an object or a person we don't think of the letters and sounds that make up the name, what comes to mind is everything that name represents.

For example, someone may ask: What do you think of spinach?

A quick response is often: I hate spinach!

It's not that the person has thought about the letters of the word "spinach". They have clearly considered what spinach is: slimy, green, yucky tasting stuff!

So to remember God's name at night on your bed, is to contemplate who He is -- His character. He is good, faithful, true to His Word, unable to lie, almighty, loving, gracious, compassionate, ever-present... Because the psalmist remembers God's name he chooses to keep His law.

It's totally worth it. Any ridicule, any humiliation, any mocking due to obedience to our Savior is worth it.

This has been my practice: I obey your precepts.

Psalm 119:56

Remember God's name...
Obey His Word...
He remembers His servants...

See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me.

Isaiah 49:16

What a blessing.