Psalms 119:71
It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
Original Language Analysis
טֽוֹב
It is good
H2896
טֽוֹב
It is good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
1 of 7
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
כִֽי
H3588
כִֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עֻנֵּ֑יתִי
for me that I have been afflicted
H6031
עֻנֵּ֑יתִי
for me that I have been afflicted
Strong's:
H6031
Word #:
4 of 7
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
לְ֝מַ֗עַן
H4616
לְ֝מַ֗עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
Cross References
Psalms 119:67Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.1 Corinthians 11:32But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.Isaiah 27:9By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up.
Historical Context
Throughout redemptive history, God's choicest servants learned through suffering: Joseph through slavery and prison, Moses through wilderness exile, David through persecution by Saul, prophets through rejection and suffering, apostles through beatings and imprisonment. Jesus Himself "learned obedience by the things which he suffered" (Hebrews 5:8)—not that He was disobedient, but He experientially learned obedience's cost. The early church understood suffering as normal Christian experience, producing perseverance and proven character (Romans 5:3-5).
Questions for Reflection
- What have you learned through affliction that you could not have learned through prosperity?
- How does viewing suffering as educational rather than merely punitive change your response to it?
- What specific "statutes" of God has affliction made more real and precious to you?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." The frank statement tov li ki uniteti (good for me that I was afflicted) contradicts natural thinking that suffering is pure evil. Tov (good) indicates benefit, value, welfare—affliction produced spiritual profit. The purpose clause lema'an elmad chuqekha (in order that I might learn your statutes) reveals suffering's educational function. Lamad (learn) means more than intellectual acquisition—it implies experiential learning, internalization through practice. Chukei (statutes) refers to God's engraved, prescribed decrees. Affliction taught what prosperity couldn't: God's statutes are supremely valuable, trustworthy, sufficient. James 1:2-4 similarly instructs to "count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."