Psalms 119:49

KJV

¶ ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

KJV (with Strong's)

ZAIN. Remember {H2142} the word {H1697} unto thy servant {H5650}, upon which thou hast caused me to hope {H3176}.

Complete Jewish Bible

(Zayin) Remember your promise to your servant, through which you have given me hope.

Berean Standard Bible

Remember Your word to Your servant, upon which You have given me hope.

American Standard Version

Remember the word unto thy servant, Because thou hast made me to hope.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 119:49 is a profound and intimate prayer from the psalmist to God, pleading for divine remembrance and action based on God's own spoken promises. It encapsulates a deep trust in God's faithfulness, acknowledging that the hope residing within the psalmist is not self-generated but divinely instilled through the reliability of God's word. This verse, situated within the comprehensive acrostic poem celebrating God's law, serves as a poignant reminder that genuine hope is anchored in the unchangeable character and covenantal commitments of the Almighty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, a meticulously structured acrostic poem divided into 22 stanzas, each corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza contains eight verses, all of which typically refer to God's word, law, statutes, precepts, or testimonies. Verse 49 falls within the 'Zain' section (verses 41-48), which often expresses a longing for God's steadfast love and salvation, and a commitment to walking in His ways despite affliction. The psalmist has just affirmed his desire to keep God's law and speak of His testimonies before kings without shame ([Psalms 119:46](/psalms/119-46 "Psalms 119:46 - Speaking God's Testimonies")). Therefore, verse 49 serves as a natural progression, moving from a declaration of commitment to a direct, personal appeal for God to fulfill His part of the covenantal relationship, reinforcing the psalmist's hope that has been cultivated by God Himself.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of God's "word" (Hebrew: *dabar*) was central to ancient Israelite life and covenant theology. It referred not only to spoken commands but also to promises, decrees, and the very active presence of God in history. In a culture where oral tradition and divine pronouncements held ultimate authority, God's word was the bedrock of their existence, providing guidance, assurance, and the basis for all hope. The psalmist identifies himself as God's "servant," a common designation for a person in a covenant relationship with God, implying loyalty, obedience, and an expectation of divine care and intervention. This relationship was not one of mere servitude but of deep devotion and dependence, where the servant could confidently appeal to the master based on established promises and a shared history. The psalmist's plea for God to "remember" is not an implication of divine forgetfulness, but a culturally understood idiom for God to act decisively and faithfully on behalf of His covenant people, much like a king would remember a promise to a loyal subject.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes prevalent throughout Psalms 119 and indeed the entire biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Faithfulness**, emphasizing that God is true to His word and His promises are immutable. The psalmist's plea is not for a new promise, but for the fulfillment of an existing one, highlighting God's unchanging character as seen in passages like [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is not a man, that he should lie"). Secondly, the verse illuminates the theme of **Hope in God's Word**. The psalmist's hope is explicitly tied to God's "word," which is the source and sustenance of his confident expectation. This is not a vague optimism but a firm assurance rooted in the divine origin of hope, as God Himself "caused" it. This concept resonates with the idea that true hope comes from God, as articulated in [Romans 15:13](/romans/15-13 "Romans 15:13 - The God of Hope"). Lastly, the verse embodies the theme of **Prayer for Divine Action**. While God is omniscient and does not forget, the psalmist's cry to "remember" is a fervent petition for God to intervene and act in accordance with His character and commitments, demonstrating His active engagement with His faithful servants. This type of prayer is a common biblical motif, found in instances where believers appeal to God's covenant promises, such as in [Exodus 2:24](/exodus/2-24 "Exodus 2:24 - God Remembers His Covenant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Word (Hebrew, _dāḇār'_):** This comprehensive Hebrew term (דָּבָר) is far more than just a spoken utterance; it encompasses God's active, creative, and authoritative pronouncements. It refers to His decrees, commands, promises, and the entirety of His revealed truth. In this context, it signifies the specific promise or set of promises from God upon which the psalmist has built his hope. It carries the weight of divine authority and the certainty of divine fulfillment, representing the very essence of God's communication and covenant with humanity.
* **Caused me to hope (Hebrew, _yaḥal'_):** The verb (יָחַל) is used here in the Hiphil (causative) stem, meaning "to cause to hope" or "to give hope." This grammatical construction is crucial as it emphasizes that the hope residing within the psalmist is not a product of his own will or circumstances, but is divinely initiated and sustained. God Himself is the active agent who has implanted and nurtured this hope within His servant, making it a hope that is both legitimate and assured because its origin is divine. It implies a waiting, an expectation, and a confident reliance on the one who has given the promise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Remember the word unto thy servant":** This opening clause is a direct, earnest plea to God. The psalmist, identifying himself as God's "servant" (a position of devotion and dependence), appeals to God to "remember" His word. This is not an implication that God is forgetful, but rather an anthropomorphic expression for God to act decisively and faithfully upon His promises. It is a petition for God to bring to fruition that which He has already spoken and committed to, demonstrating His covenant loyalty to His devoted follower.
* **"upon which thou hast caused me to hope":** This second clause provides the foundational reason for the psalmist's plea and the source of his confidence. His hope is not an arbitrary wish but is firmly grounded in God's specific "word" – a promise or revelation that God Himself initiated and instilled within the psalmist. The causative verb "caused me to hope" highlights God's active role in cultivating this expectation, thereby reinforcing the psalmist's right to appeal to God for its fulfillment. It signifies a hope that is divinely inspired, sustained, and therefore reliable.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Apostrophe** is prominently featured, as the psalmist directly addresses God ("Remember the word unto thy servant"), creating an intimate and personal tone for this heartfelt prayer. The phrase "upon which thou hast caused me to hope" contains a subtle **Metaphor**, where God's "word" is presented as the solid ground or foundation upon which the psalmist's hope is built. This implies that God's promises are not fleeting but are substantial and dependable, capable of supporting the weight of human expectation. Furthermore, the concept of God "remembering" is an **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human quality (memory and subsequent action) to God. This device makes God's interaction with humanity relatable and emphasizes His active engagement and faithfulness to His covenant, reassuring the psalmist that God will indeed act on His behalf.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 119:49 stands as a powerful testament to the unwavering faithfulness of God and the profound security found in His revealed word. It underscores the biblical truth that God's promises are not mere suggestions but divine commitments that He is bound by His own character to fulfill. The psalmist's hope is not a product of wishful thinking but a divinely implanted assurance, demonstrating that true spiritual hope originates from God and finds its anchor in His immutable word. This verse encourages believers to ground their entire existence in the certainty of God's promises, knowing that the One who has spoken is utterly reliable and will bring to pass all that He has declared. It is a model for prayer, teaching us to appeal to God's own character and past declarations as the basis for our present petitions.

* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is not a man, that he should lie")
* [Romans 15:13](/romans/15-13 "Romans 15:13 - The God of Hope")
* [Hebrews 10:23](/hebrews/10-23 "Hebrews 10:23 - He who promised is faithful")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 119:49 offers a timeless template for how believers should approach God in prayer, especially when facing uncertainty or waiting for the fulfillment of His promises. It invites us to cultivate a hope that is not based on fleeting circumstances or human strength, but on the steadfast, unchanging word of God. When we feel overwhelmed or our faith wavers, we are encouraged to echo the psalmist's plea, reminding God (and ourselves) of His past faithfulness and the specific promises upon which He has caused us to hope. This act of "remembering" God's word in prayer is not for God's benefit, but for ours, strengthening our trust and aligning our desires with His divine will. It calls us to live as His devoted "servants," confident that our faithful Master will always honor His commitments to those who serve Him and trust in His every word.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific promises of God have you personally anchored your hope in?**
* **In what ways has God "caused" you to hope through His word in your life?**
* **How does reminding God of His word in prayer strengthen your own faith and trust in Him?**
* **How does identifying yourself as God's "servant" influence your expectation of His response to your prayers?**

### FAQ
**Why does the psalmist ask God to "remember" if God is omniscient?**

Answer: The request for God to "remember" is an anthropomorphism, a figure of speech that attributes human characteristics to God. It does not imply that God is forgetful in the human sense. Rather, it is a fervent plea for God to act decisively and faithfully in accordance with His established promises and covenant commitments. In ancient Near Eastern thought, "remembering" often meant to act on behalf of someone or something, to bring a promise or a past relationship to bear on the present situation. Thus, the psalmist is not reminding God of something He has forgotten, but is appealing to God's character and His past declarations, urging Him to manifest His faithfulness and bring about the promised blessing or deliverance. It's a prayer of confident expectation, rooted in God's unchanging nature and His active involvement in the lives of His servants.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 119:49 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the living "Word" of God made flesh ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God") and [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). The psalmist's hope, rooted in God's spoken promises, is perfectly realized in Christ, for "all the promises of God find their Yes in him" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Jesus is the embodiment of God's faithfulness, the one in whom all divine promises are secured and fulfilled. Our hope as believers is not merely in written words, but in the person of Christ, who has overcome sin and death, guaranteeing our salvation and future glory. He is the ultimate "word" upon which God has caused us to hope, through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection ([1 Peter 1:3](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3 - A Living Hope Through Resurrection")). As God's true Servant, Jesus perfectly fulfilled all of God's will and promises, and through Him, we, too, become servants of God, confidently appealing to the Father based on Christ's finished work and the new covenant established in His blood ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Better Covenant")). Our hope is not in vain, for it is anchored in the resurrected Christ, who reigns and intercedes for us, ensuring that God's promises to His people will never fail.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 7:25

And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish [it] for ever, and do as thou hast said.

Psalms 106:45

And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.

Psalms 106:4

Remember me, O LORD, with the favour [that thou bearest unto] thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;

Psalms 119:81

¶ CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: [but] I hope in thy word.

Psalms 105:42

For he remembered his holy promise, [and] Abraham his servant.

1 Peter 1:13

¶ Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Psalms 71:14

¶ But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.