Psalms 119:49 - Meaning and Application

David pleads with God for two things here, both tied to the mercy and grace he expects according to God’s word. The promise itself guides his prayer. First, he asks God to remember the word given to him and do what he has said, as in 1 Chronicles 17:23. He means, “Lord, I ask for nothing more than what you have already promised.”

David trusts God’s wisdom and faithfulness. Because God is wise, he will carry out what he planned and not change his mind. Because God is faithful, he will keep his promise and not break his word. Those who make God’s promises their hope may, with humble confidence, use those promises in prayer. They may say, “Lord, is this not the word you have spoken, and will you not fulfill it?” (Genesis 32:9; Exodus 33:12).

Second, David asks because God’s grace has already stirred hope in him. God gave the promise in his word, and by his Spirit he has also worked that hope in David’s heart. He has made David look for great things from that promise. If God has put in us a stronger desire for spiritual blessings than for any earthly good, will he not kindly satisfy that desire? If he has filled us with hope for those blessings, will he not also be faithful enough to bring them to pass? God, who by his Spirit gives faith, will act for those who trust him according to that faith, and he will not let them be ashamed.