For in death there is no one who remembers You. In the grave who will give thanks to You?
David speaks from the perspective of an Old Covenant believer, for whom the grave was a place of silence and of being cut off from earthly worship. His point is not that after death there is no existence at all, or that God does not rule over the dead. He asks that his life be preserved so that he may continue in this world to give thanks openly and bear witness about the Lord. The word “remember” here means to acknowledge God’s works and proclaim them with worship. The New Testament reveals more brightly the hope of the resurrection through Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 1:10). Nevertheless, David’s request remains important. Life is God’s gift and must be used for His glory. The believer does not cling to life only for personal pleasure, but desires to live in order to serve, to testify, and to give thanks. Each new day is an opportunity to proclaim the Lord’s goodness.