Psalms 119:67

¶ Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

Before I was afflicted {H6031} I went astray {H7683}: but now have I kept {H8104} thy word {H565}.

Before I was humbled, I used to go astray; but now I observe your word.

Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word.

Before I was afflicted I went astray; But now I observe thy word.

Psalms 119:67 is a profound confession from the psalmist, highlighting a transformative experience brought about by divine discipline. This verse succinctly captures the spiritual journey from wandering to devoted obedience, attributing this change directly to the experience of affliction.

Context

This verse is part of the extensive Psalm 119, an acrostic poem that is the longest chapter in the Bible, dedicated entirely to extolling the virtues and power of God's law, statutes, precepts, and word. Throughout the psalm, the writer expresses deep love for God's commands, often lamenting his own struggles and seeking God's guidance. Verse 67 falls within the "Teth" section (verses 65-72), where the psalmist praises God's goodness and righteousness, acknowledging that even difficult experiences are part of God's benevolent plan for spiritual growth. It closely precedes Psalms 119:71, where the psalmist further states, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes."

Key Themes

  • The Purpose of Affliction: The verse reveals that suffering is not always punitive but can be a refining tool in God's hands. Before affliction, the psalmist "went astray," indicating a period of spiritual wandering or disobedience. The hardship served as a stark correction, redirecting him towards God's path.
  • Transformation Through Discipline: The contrast between "Before I was afflicted I went astray" and "but now have I kept thy word" is central. It illustrates a profound spiritual transformation where adversity leads to greater adherence to divine truth. This aligns with the biblical principle that God disciplines those He loves for their ultimate good.
  • Obedience to God's Word: The ultimate outcome of this divine discipline is renewed or strengthened obedience. "Kept thy word" signifies not just intellectual understanding but active, careful adherence to God's commands, guarding them in one's heart and life.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "afflicted" is 'anah (עָנָה), which often implies being humbled, disciplined, or brought low, suggesting a purposeful experience designed to teach or correct. "Went astray" comes from shagah (שָׁגָה), meaning to wander, err, or go astray, often implying an unintentional deviation but still a departure from the right path. The term "kept" is shamar (שָׁמַר), meaning to guard, watch over, observe, or preserve, emphasizing a diligent and intentional commitment to God's word.

Practical Application

Psalms 119:67 offers immense comfort and perspective for believers facing difficulties. It teaches us that God can use our trials, struggles, and painful experiences not to harm us, but to draw us closer to Him and His truth. When we find ourselves "going astray" – perhaps through complacency, distraction, or direct disobedience – God's loving discipline can serve as a necessary corrective. Instead of becoming bitter or despairing in affliction, this verse encourages us to examine our hearts, return to God's word, and allow suffering to refine our obedience and deepen our commitment to Him. It's a powerful reminder that even in hardship, God is working for our spiritual good and growth.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 31:18

    ¶ I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself [thus]; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed [to the yoke]: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou [art] the LORD my God.

  • Jeremiah 31:19

    Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon [my] thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.

  • Psalms 119:71

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

  • Hosea 5:15

    I will go [and] return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

  • Hosea 6:1

    ¶ Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.

  • Psalms 119:75

    ¶ I know, O LORD, that thy judgments [are] right, and [that] thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

  • Psalms 119:176

    ¶ I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
← Back