Psalm 119 71

Psalm 119:71 kjv

It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

Psalm 119:71 nkjv

It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.

Psalm 119:71 niv

It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.

Psalm 119:71 esv

It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

Psalm 119:71 nlt

My suffering was good for me,
for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 71 Meaning

Psalm 119:71 declares that affliction, though difficult, is ultimately beneficial. The Psalmist perceives that the suffering he has undergone serves a divinely intended purpose: to deepen his understanding of and commitment to God's statutes. This highlights a profound spiritual truth—that God uses hardship as a means to instruct His people and bring them into closer conformity with His divine will, demonstrating His wisdom and goodness even amidst trial.

Psalm 119 71 Context

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, a magnificent acrostic poem celebrating the perfection and sufficiency of God's law (Torah). Each eight-verse stanza begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Verse 71 falls within the tenth stanza, which starts with the Hebrew letter Yodh (י). Throughout the psalm, the Psalmist consistently expresses profound love for God's Word, portraying it as his guide, comfort, strength, and joy.

This verse builds on prior declarations, particularly verse 67, where the Psalmist admits that "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word." It shows a progressive understanding and acceptance of suffering as a spiritual tool. Historically, Israel often experienced periods of national affliction (such as the wilderness wanderings, cycles of oppression, or the Babylonian exile) that served to draw them back to God's covenant and His commandments, reinforcing the idea that hardship can lead to repentance and a deeper reverence for God's decrees. This verse reflects the wisdom gained from such experiences, counteracting the common human desire to avoid all pain, and asserting that divine discipline is a means of spiritual education rather than mere punishment.

Psalm 119 71 Word analysis

• It is good for me (טוֹב לִי - ṭōḇ lî):

  • Word: טוב (ṭōḇ) signifies "good," "beneficial," "pleasant," "right," or "fitting."
  • Analysis: This is not a reluctant acceptance of suffering, but an explicit declaration of its positive value. The Psalmist has recognized the ultimate spiritual profit derived from his ordeal, viewing it through God's perspective. It highlights that true "good" for a person can come from what is outwardly difficult, challenging conventional notions of well-being that equate "good" with comfort and ease. It signifies a profound spiritual maturity and trust in God's wise sovereignty.

• that I have been afflicted (כִּי עֻנֵּיתִי - kî ʿunnêtî):

  • Word: עֻנֵּיתִי (ʿunnêtî) is the first common imperfect from the root עָנָה (ʿānāh), meaning "to humble oneself," "to be afflicted," "to be oppressed," or "to suffer." The Niphal form often indicates a passive or reflexive action.
  • Analysis: This phrasing indicates that the affliction was something that happened to the Psalmist, often implying an external, often divine, agency. It signifies a state of being brought low, humbled, or experiencing hardship. The purpose is not merely suffering, but a divinely permitted or administered chastening intended for correction or spiritual development, serving to break pride and self-reliance.

• that I might learn (לְמַעַן אֶלְמַד - ləmaʿan ʾelmaḏ):

  • Word: לְמַעַן (ləmaʿan) is a purpose clause marker ("in order that," "so that"), while אֶלְמַד (ʾelmaḏ) comes from the root לָמַד (lāmaḏ), meaning "to learn," "to study," or "to teach."
  • Analysis: This directly states the purpose of the affliction. "Learning" here implies more than mere intellectual acquisition of information; it encompasses experiential understanding and the application of knowledge to one's life, leading to behavioral change. It suggests a process of instruction that comes through lived experience and brings deeper insight into spiritual truths previously held superficially.

• your statutes (חֻקֶּיךָ - ḥuqqeḵā):

  • Word: חֻקֶּיךָ (ḥuqqeḵā) is the plural of חֹק (ḥōq), meaning "statutes," "decrees," "ordinances," or "prescribed boundaries."
  • Analysis: "Statutes" refer to God's established laws and fixed decrees, emphasizing their unchangeable and authoritative nature. Affliction teaches the value, wisdom, and necessity of God's unchanging word. When life is easy, one might take God's decrees for granted, but in hardship, their stability and guiding power become uniquely clear and essential for navigating difficulties.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "It is good for me that I have been afflicted": This phrase reveals a counter-intuitive theological perspective. Human nature typically avoids affliction, perceiving it as inherently negative. However, the Psalmist declares it to be ultimately "good." This goodness is not about pleasant sensations but about transformative benefit and growth that outweighs the immediate discomfort. It implies God's sovereignty over suffering and His benevolent purpose within it, demonstrating faith that God is working for his good even through pain.
  • "that I might learn your statutes": This clearly articulates the precise purpose of the affliction. Suffering serves as a spiritual instructor, providing a deeper, more personal, and often more urgent engagement with God's written word. It transforms abstract knowledge into practical wisdom, teaching obedience and revealing the statutes' profound relevance to every circumstance, especially challenging ones. The process of learning leads to a realignment with God's perfect will.

Psalm 119 71 Bonus section

This verse highlights the profound spiritual transformation that can occur through suffering, leading to an elevated appreciation and submission to God's authority. It stands in contrast to secular views of suffering as purposeless or merely punitive, presenting a redemptive understanding of pain. The psalmist's perspective reflects a key aspect of God's relationship with His people—He disciplines those He loves (Prov 3:11-12, Heb 12:5-11) not to harm them, but to make them holy and mature. It reveals a sophisticated understanding of divine pedagogy, where difficult experiences serve as classroom for the soul, teaching obedience that perhaps would not be learned in easier circumstances. The acceptance of affliction as "good" for learning also implies a deep personal trust in God's ultimate beneficence, demonstrating faith beyond feeling.

Psalm 119 71 Commentary

Psalm 119:71 captures a pivotal realization for the spiritually mature individual: that hardship is not always punitive, but often redemptive. The Psalmist affirms that his affliction was not a meaningless or malevolent act but a beneficial discipline from God designed to bring him into closer alignment with divine truth. This suffering served to humble him, prune away self-reliance, and sharpen his focus on God's unchanging "statutes"—His holy and wise decrees. It underscores the profound truth that true learning of God's ways often occurs best not in comfort, but in crucible moments. The experience moved him from a superficial understanding or occasional disobedience (as suggested in Ps 119:67) to a deeper, more integrated, and obedient grasp of God's Word. The value of the Law is fully comprehended when human wisdom and strength prove insufficient, compelling one to rely solely on God's revealed will. This verse is a powerful testimony to God's loving and formative hand even in the midst of trial, producing steadfastness and righteousness.

For practical usage, this verse calls believers to:

• Refrain from immediately questioning God's goodness in suffering.
• Seek the specific lessons God intends to teach through their trials.
• Return to His Word, knowing it holds the wisdom for enduring and growing.