PRECIOUS MEMORIES

This is a very full psalm, with many strands of thought in it. The writer is speaking of days of trouble, even of a time which he could call “the day of my trouble”, v. 2. It may be that it was some circumstance of special tragedy, worse than many others. “My soul refused to be comforted”, v. 2. Note the extremity of verse 4; then the questions of verses 7-9. There seems to be no break in the clouds of sorrow. “Hath God forgotten to be gracious?”, v. 9, is a desperate question. Trouble often isolates, leaves the soul alone, takes away the sense of companionship. Maybe some of us have echoed this question; we have felt forgotten. Over against the sense of God’s forgetfulness (a mistaken concept), the psalmist speaks of the exercise of his own memory. Reflect—is it feasible that, if humans can remember, God can forget? Cf. Isa. 49. 15.

“I remembered … I call to remembrance … I will remember”, vv. 3, 6, 11. Let us consider something of the value of memory for those who know the Lord. There must be experiences of God that we have had, that we shall never forget. Moses exhorted the people, as he recounted the words of God, that they should remember the ways, works and words of their God, Deut. 8. 2-4. This exercise of memory was to be a corrective and a consolation in their later life as a nation. Is it any less important for us, that we should always call Him to remembrance?

Note that in the psalmist’s sorrow he calls to remembrance his song in the night, v. 6. Under the cloud of sorrow, so troubled that he could not speak, suddenly he breaks loose and sings. Memories of a song—sung at midnight! We can be sure that Paul and Silas remembered many times their song in the Philippian gaol, their backs bleeding and sore, Acts 16. 22-26. Precious memories!

Then the psalmist in his weakness remembers the strength of the years of the unchanging most High God, v. 10. They were years of His right hand of power. Precious memory! When our hands are weak and feeble, His hand is strong to keep and sustain. So he remembers the works and wonders of his God, v. 14. We know today, that those who prove God most will have most to remember about Him.