Psalm 119:67

(This is an entry from a devotional commentary I am working on from Psalm 119 entitled ‘God and His Word’.  The introduction can be found here, successive entries have covered the 22 sections of the Psalm, and following entries verse by verse.)

 

"Before I was afflicted I went astray,

But now I keep Your word."

 

See also Psalm 119:71.  This resonates with me more the more I meditate on it.  As much as my love for Your word grows, so does my realization of the depravity of the sin nature.  This leads to both discouragement and a resolve to fight, seeing the reality of Romans 6:21, that there was only detriment to experienced sin, and of the warnings of Ecclesiastes and Proverbs, that unexperienced (although sometimes desired) sin will only lead to death (e.g. Proverbs 12:28, Proverbs 6:32, 1 Peter 2:11), even if just in my thoughts (Matthew 5:27-28, Galatians 6:7-8, James 1:14-16)!  ‘Afflicted’ is the Hebrew ‘עָנָה, ‛ānāh: A verb indicating to be afflicted, to be oppressed, to be humbled. It refers to being oppressed, in a state of oppression…the psalmist was often disciplined by affliction from God (Psa 119:71).’  Better to experience even relatively painful and extreme loss in this life then to lose one’s life eternally (Matthew 18:8).  Even if that is not my destiny, to be encumbered this life is to miss the eternal joy and benefit to others in this life.  Father, how gracious of You to enable me to share Your holiness (Hebrews 12:10)!  Of this, Luther said, ‘I want you to know how to study theology in the right way. I have practiced this method myself. . . . Here you will find three rules. They are frequently proposed throughout Psalm [119] and run thus: oration, meditatio, tentatio [prayer, meditation, trial]. (Plass, 1359)’ (see https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/martin-luther-lessons-from-his-life-and-labor).  As much as the Psalmist sought good discernment and knowledge (Psalm 119:66), he would soon realize that the answer to this plea requires affliction.

 

‘How beneficial has the school of affliction through which he has attained to this, been to him! The word proceeding from the mouth of God is now more precious to him than the greatest earthly riches [see v. 72].’[1]

 

‘Often our trials act as a thorn hedge to keep us in the good pasture, but our prosperity is a gap through which we go astray… the spiritual man who prizes growth in grace will bless God that those dangerous days are over, and that if the weather be more stormy it is also more healthy… Why is it that a little ease works in us so much disease? Can we never rest without rusting?.. What weak creatures we are to be unable to bear a little pleasure! What base hearts are those which turn the abundance of God's goodness into an occasion for sin… Grace is in that heart which profits by its chastening. It is of no use to plough barren soil. When there is no spiritual life affliction works no spiritual benefit; but where the heart is sound trouble awakens conscience, wandering is confessed, the soul becomes again obedient to the command, and continues to be so… Before his trouble he wandered, but after it he kept within the hedge of the word, and found good pasture for his soul: the trial tethered him to his proper place; it kept him, and then he kept God's word. Sweet are the uses of adversity, and this is one of them, it puts a bridle upon transgression and furnishes a spur for holiness.’[2]


[1] Keil & Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament, on Psalm 119:67, e-Sword edition

[2] Spurgeon, Charles Haddon, Treasury of David, on Psalm 119:67, e-Sword edition


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