“You have treated Your servant well, Lord,
According to Your word.
Teach me good discernment and knowledge,
For I believe in Your commandments.”

“Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your word.
You are good and You do good;
Teach me Your statutes.”

“The arrogant have forged a lie against me;
With all my heart I will comply with Your precepts.
Their heart is insensitive, like fat,
But I delight in Your Law.”

“It is good for me that I was afflicted,
So that I may learn Your statutes.
The Law of Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.”

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Context and Meaning

This stanza (Teth) reflects on affliction as a teacher. The psalmist acknowledges that before his suffering, he strayed, but through affliction, God brought him back to His Word. He affirms God’s goodness in all things, even trials, and declares the surpassing value of God’s Word over material wealth.

It’s a humble recognition that pain can be purposeful, drawing us closer to God and His truth.

Key Themes:

1. God’s Goodness in All Circumstances: The Lord deals well with His servants (v. 65, 68).
2. Affliction as a Teacher: Trials turn us back to obedience (v. 67, 71).
3. Commitment to God’s Word Amid Lies: Opposition cannot shake delight in His Law (v. 69–70).
4. The Surpassing Value of God’s Word: Scripture is worth more than silver and gold (v. 72).

Reflection and Impact

Psalm 119:65–72 shows us that affliction is not wasted—it can draw us closer to God:

• God’s Word is the measure of His goodness – “You have treated Your servant well, according to Your word” (v. 65) echoes Psalm 34:8: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
• Affliction teaches obedience – “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word” (v. 67) recalls Hebrews 12:11, where discipline yields the fruit of righteousness.
• God is good and does good – (v. 68) affirms James 1:17: every good and perfect gift comes from above.
• Delight replaces hardness of heart – “Their heart is insensitive, like fat, but I delight in Your Law” (v. 70) aligns with Ezekiel 36:26, where God gives a new heart of flesh.
• Affliction deepens love for Scripture – “It is good for me that I was afflicted” (v. 71) matches Romans 8:28: God works all things for good.
• The Word is better than wealth – “Better than thousands of gold and silver pieces” (v. 72) parallels Proverbs 8:10–11, which values wisdom above riches.

Application

• Acknowledge God’s Goodness Always: Trust that His ways are good, even in trials.
• Learn Through Affliction: Let suffering turn you toward obedience, not bitterness.
• Cling to the Word in Opposition: Stand firm when lies or ridicule come.
• Value the Word Above Wealth: Treasure Scripture as your greatest possession.

Closing Thought

Affliction is not meaningless—it can be God’s tool to refine and restore us. His Word, more valuable than gold, leads us to delight in His goodness even in suffering.
“It is good for me that I was afflicted, so that I may learn Your statutes.”