Psalms 143:5
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
Original Language Analysis
זָ֘כַ֤רְתִּי
I remember
H2142
זָ֘כַ֤רְתִּי
I remember
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
1 of 9
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
יָמִ֨ים׀
the days
H3117
יָמִ֨ים׀
the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 9
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
מִקֶּ֗דֶם
of old
H6924
מִקֶּ֗דֶם
of old
Strong's:
H6924
Word #:
3 of 9
the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
הָגִ֥יתִי
I meditate
H1897
הָגִ֥יתִי
I meditate
Strong's:
H1897
Word #:
4 of 9
to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder
בְכָל
H3605
בְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 9
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בְּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֖ה
on the work
H4639
בְּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֖ה
on the work
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
7 of 9
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
Historical Context
Israelite worship constantly rehearsed God's mighty acts: creation, the exodus, wilderness provision, conquest, judges' deliverances, David's anointing. Annual feasts commemorated these saving events. This wasn't mere historical interest but faith-sustaining remembrance—the same God who acted in the past is present now. Psalm 77 similarly moves from distress (vv. 1-9) to remembrance of God's wonders (vv. 10-20), finding hope in recounting redemptive history. The Lord's Supper continues this practice: "This do in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19).
Questions for Reflection
- What specific past works of God in your life or biblical history can you meditate on during overwhelming circumstances?
- How does deliberately remembering God's faithfulness differ from nostalgia or escapism?
- What spiritual disciplines help you fill your mind with God's works when anxiety threatens to dominate your thoughts?
Analysis & Commentary
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. After expressing devastation (vv. 3-4), David pivots to remembrance—a crucial spiritual discipline when present circumstances overwhelm. "I remember" (zakarti, זָכַרְתִּי) is active recollection, deliberately calling to mind God's past faithfulness. "Days of old" (yamim mikedem, יָמִים מִקֶּדֶם) could refer to David's personal history or Israel's salvation history—likely both.
The three parallel verbs—"remember," "meditate" (hagiti, הָגִיתִי), and "muse" (asicha, אָשִׂיחָה)—intensify the focus. Hagah (הָגָה) means to murmur, mutter, or meditate deeply (same verb in Psalm 1:2 for meditating on God's law). Siach (שִׂיחַ) means to ponder, rehearse, or contemplate. David fills his mind with God's "works" (po'alekha, פָּעֳלֶךָ) and the "work of thy hands" (ma'aseh yadekha, מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶיךָ)—both creation and redemptive acts.
This models cognitive behavioral therapy before the term existed: when overwhelmed, deliberately redirect thoughts to truth. Paul commands the same: "whatsoever things are true...think on these things" (Philippians 4:8). Memory of God's past faithfulness fuels hope for present deliverance. If God acted in "days of old," He remains faithful today.