當人上了年紀之後，最怕的就是罹患失智症和喪失短期記憶。但研究阿茲海默症的專家馬思特醫師（Dr. Benjamin Mast）卻提出了讓人感到安慰的理論。他說，若病患的大腦已經被詩歌長期「浸潤」成為「習慣」，那麼即使發病之後，病患仍能在聽到詩歌時，一字不漏地唱出整首的歌詞。他還表示，屬靈的操練如：讀經、禱告和詩歌吟唱，都有助於將真理「深植」大腦內，以便隨時取用。

詩篇119篇11節提到，當我們把上帝的話語藏在心裡，我們就有能力不致於犯罪。上帝的話語能夠堅固我們，讓我們學習順服，也能引導我們的腳步 (28、67、133節) ，令我們有盼望也滿有智慧 (49、130節）。即使當我們發現自己或至親好友的記憶，正一點一滴悄悄地流逝，但那些多年前曾背誦過的上帝的話語卻仍未消失，依然完好地保存或珍藏在我們心底 (11節) 。就算我們不再像年輕時那樣才思敏捷，但我們知道上帝的話語，仍深藏在我們心裡，而且還在持續地對我們說話。

世上沒有任何一件事，包括那逐漸消褪的記憶，能讓我們與上帝的慈愛和看顧隔絕，因為這是上帝給我們的應許。

One difficult part of growing older is the fear of dementia and the loss of short-term memory. But Dr. Benjamin Mast, an expert on the topic of Alzheimer’s disease, offers some encouragement. He says that patients’ brains are often so “well worn” and “habitual” that they can hear an old hymn and sing along to every word. He suggests that spiritual disciplines such as reading Scripture, praying, and singing hymns cause truth to become “embedded” in our brains, ready to be accessed when prompted.

In Psalm 119:11, we read how the power of hiding God’s words in our heart can keep us from sinning. It can strengthen us, teach us obedience, and direct our footsteps (vv. 28, 67, 133). This in turn gives us hope and understanding (vv. 49, 130). Even when we begin to notice memory slips in ourselves or in the life of a loved one, God’s Word, memorized years earlier, is still there, “stored up” or “treasured” in the heart (v. 11 esv, nasb). Even as our minds lose the keen edge of youth, we know that God’s words, hidden in our hearts, will continue to speak to us.

Nothing—not even failing memories—can separate us from His love and care. We have His word on it.