I remember your name in the night, O LORD, and keep your law.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that remembering God's "name"—His character and revealed self—is the active motivation for obeying His "law." This isn't just a passive recollection but a vital connection that fuels the commitment to follow His ways, especially in difficult times often associated with "the night."
I remember your name in the night, O LORD, and keep your law.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This section of Psalm 119 deals with the psalmist's deep devotion to God's law, even in difficult times. The verses leading up to this one describe the psalmist's struggles with enemies and his commitment to God's decrees. This verse expresses a core sentiment of his faith: remembering God's character and faithfulness, especially during dark or challenging moments, fuels his determination to obey His commands.
Why does the psalmist specifically mention remembering God's name 'in the night'? It's more than just the literal time of day.
The Darkness of Difficulty
When the psalmist says he remembers God's name "in the night," the "night" isn't just about the absence of sunlight. It's a powerful metaphor for times of:
Even in these dark, difficult seasons, the psalmist finds solace and strength by holding onto God's identity.
What's the connection between remembering God's name and keeping His law? It's not just a to-do list!
The Foundation of Obedience
The verse presents two powerful actions: remembering God's name and keeping His law. These aren't separate activities but are deeply intertwined.
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Knowing Who He Is:
Remembering God's name means recalling His character, His attributes, His promises – His very identity as revealed in Scripture. It's about knowing He is faithful, powerful, loving, and just.
The Motive for Obedience:
This intimate knowledge of God becomes the foundation and motivation for keeping His law. When we truly grasp who God is, His commands aren't arbitrary rules but expressions of His loving nature and wisdom.
The deepest reason for obedience flows from knowing and remembering the Lawgiver Himself.
Understand the original words
shem · Hebrew Noun
In biblical thought, the 'name' represents the entire character, reputation, authority, and essence of a person; to remember God's name is to call upon His very nature and all that He has revealed Himself to be.
While Psalm 119 is deeply personal and theological, it likely resonated most powerfully with those in the post-exilic community. The 'night' could refer to the literal darkness of difficult times, or the spiritual darkness that threatened their renewed covenant walk after returning from exile, making the remembrance of God's name and the keeping of His law a vital anchor.
c. 10th century BC
Davidic Kingdom Flourishes
The Psalmist likely lived during a period of relative stability and prosperity under the United Monarchy or the early divided kingdom, possibly during the time of David or Solomon. This era saw the consolidation of Israelite power and the development of religious institutions.
c. 8th century BC
Prophetic Ministry Intensifies
The ministries of prophets like Isaiah and Amos, who challenged societal injustice and called for faithfulness to God's law, were prominent. Their message often highlighted the consequences of straying from God's ways.
c. 6th century BC
Babylonian Exile Begins
The deportation of Judeans to Babylon marked a profound crisis for the people of God. This period of exile would have intensified reflections on the Law and God's faithfulness amidst suffering.
c. 5th century BC— this verse
Return from Exile and Temple Reconstruction
Following the Persian conquest of Babylon, many exiles returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple and the community. This era emphasized a renewed commitment to the Law and covenant faithfulness.
This verse echoes the psalmist's remembrance of God, especially during quiet or difficult times, highlighting how God's presence can be a comfort throughout the night or in times of suffering.
Psalm 119:164This verse speaks to the deep love for God's law, even praising Him multiple times a day, which parallels the dedication of remembering God's name and keeping His law, even through the night.
John 14:15Jesus directly links loving Him with keeping His commandments, showing that genuine devotion to God naturally leads to obedience, mirroring the psalmist's connection between remembering God and keeping His law.
Romans 8:5This passage contrasts those who live according to the flesh with those who live according to the Spirit, emphasizing that a focus on spiritual things (like remembering God's name and law) is a hallmark of a life rightly oriented toward God.
cambridgePsalms 119:55: "I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law."
55 . The constant recollection of the Lawgiver and all that He has revealed Himself to be, is the most powerful motive to observance of His laws. in the night ] Cp. Psalm 119:62 ; Psalm 1:2 .
clarkePsalms 119:55: "I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law."
I have remembered thy name - Thou art Jehovah; and as our God thou hast made thyself known unto us. In the deepest night of our affliction this has consoled me.
The verse highlights that remembering God's "name"—His character and revealed self—is the active motivation for obeying His "law." This isn't just a passive recollection but a vital connection that fuels the commitment to follow His ways, especially in difficult times often associated with "the night."
This section of Psalm 119 deals with the psalmist's deep devotion to God's law, even in difficult times. The verses leading up to this one describe the psalmist's struggles with enemies and his commitment to God's decrees. This verse expresses a core sentiment of his faith: remembering God's character and faithfulness, especially during dark or challenging moments, fuels his determination to obey His commands.
This section of Psalm 119 deals with the psalmist's deep devotion to God's law, even in difficult times. The verses leading up to this one describe the psalmist's struggles with enemies and his commitment to God's decrees. This verse expresses a core sentiment of his faith: remembering God's character and faithfulness, especially during dark or challenging moments, fuels his determination to obey His commands.
"I remember your name in the night, O LORD, and keep your law." — The verse highlights that remembering God's "name"—His character and revealed self—is the active motivation for obeying His "law." This isn't just a passive recollection but a vital connection that f…
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Last reviewed October 2026