Comfort in the Night
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
March 25, 2026
Dear Praying Friends,
Nighttime can be challenging for many people. When the sun goes down and the darkness closes in, fears, anxieties, and problems do the same. They tighten their grip around our souls.
The mind starts racing like a hamster on a running wheel, and thoughts swirl as the mind runs harder and harder, oftentimes going nowhere but deeper into distress.
This may have been the experience of the psalmist as he thought about the numerous people who were trying to hurt him with their words.
What if they say that about me?
What if they spread those false rumors?
What if people believe the lies that are being spread?
What if my friends hear what they say?
As the author writes his eight-line stanza on the seventh letter (Zayin) of the Hebrew alphabet, he makes mention of how he handles his thoughts in the night season.
Psalm 119:49-56 (NIV) —
Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. The arrogant mock me unmercifully, but I do not turn from your law. I remember, LORD, your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them. Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken your law. Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge. In the night, LORD, I remember your name, that I may keep your law. This has been my practice: I obey your precepts.
While verse 55 is specifically referring to the night in a 24-hour day, it is necessary to remember that the night also has metaphorical suggestions. Many of God’s people go through dark seasons in their lives that could be characterized as “the night.”
The psalm starts with the writer appealing to God to remember His word to His servant. The LORD is faithful and will never forget His word, but what the psalmist is asking goes beyond the memory itself. He is asking God to act upon His word.
As God makes good on His promises, true hope is begotten within our hearts. When the day is dark, and night is darker still, the promises of God are like rays of light that shine brightly into our hearts.
And light brings comfort. In verse 50, it says, “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” The promises of God are not simply pie-in-the-sky-by-and-by!
There is often a future aspect to God’s promises, but they are meant to sustain us in the difficulties of life here and now.
The mention of suffering in this text could mean affliction, poverty, trouble, or misery. It is the first of seven times that the author uses this word in the psalm.
The affliction in this section, according to the next verse, seems to be coming from inconsiderate, arrogant people who were trying to deride, scoff, and mock the character of the psalmist, no doubt with the intention of trying to discredit him in front of everyone in the nation.
As the sun goes down and darkness settles in, how does the psalmist deal with all this negativity and oppression? He says, “In the night, LORD, I remember your name, that I may keep your law.” He remembered the name of the LORD.
He remembered who the LORD is. His mind probably returned to that familiar refrain so often found in the Old Testament Scriptures: “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6).
As we pray today for prodigals and for revival among us, may we remember the name of God!
Warmly in Christ’s name,
Bryan and Rachel
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