Psalms 119:71

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

It is good {H2896} for me that I have been afflicted {H6031}; that I might learn {H3925} thy statutes {H2706}.

Complete Jewish Bible

It is for my good that I have been humbled; it was so that I would learn your laws.

Berean Standard Bible

It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 119:71 offers a profound and counter-intuitive declaration from the psalmist: that affliction, often perceived as negative, served a beneficial and divinely purposed role in his life. Far from being a mere hardship, the suffering he endured was a catalyst, enabling him to delve deeper into God's divine statutes, precepts, and laws, thereby fostering a more intimate understanding and dedicated obedience to the Lord's Word. This verse encapsulates a transformative spiritual truth, highlighting how God can leverage even the most painful experiences to cultivate profound spiritual growth and a richer relationship with His revealed will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 119 stands as the longest chapter in the Bible, a monumental acrostic poem meticulously structured around the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of its 22 sections comprises eight verses, all beginning with the corresponding Hebrew letter, and each verse is dedicated to extolling, meditating upon, or appealing concerning God's Word, law, testimonies, precepts, and statutes. Verse 71 is situated within the "Yodh" section (verses 65-72 in the KJV numbering), a segment where the psalmist reflects on God's goodness despite his own suffering, expresses his trust in God's righteous judgments, and affirms the supreme value of God's law. This particular verse serves as a pivotal personal testimony, revealing a deep spiritual insight gained through personal hardship, immediately following verses that speak of God's good dealings (v. 65) and the pride of the wicked (v. 69), contrasting the psalmist's humble learning with their spiritual insensitivity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical and cultural backdrop for Psalm 119 is rooted in ancient Israelite wisdom tradition, where the Torah (God's Law) was not merely a set of rules but the very foundation of national identity, personal piety, and covenant relationship with Yahweh. While suffering was often viewed in the ancient Near East, and sometimes within Israel, as a direct consequence of sin or divine punishment, this verse presents a more nuanced perspective, aligning with a deeper understanding of divine discipline (*musar*) as a pedagogical tool. The psalmist, traditionally identified as King David, would have experienced numerous trials—from fleeing Saul to personal and national crises—which could have shaped this perspective. The cultural emphasis on learning and obedience to God's revealed will meant that any experience, even painful ones, that facilitated this learning was ultimately deemed valuable.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 119:71 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the chapter and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **the pedagogical nature of suffering**, presenting affliction not as an arbitrary evil but as a divinely appointed teacher, designed to humble and instruct. This aligns with the biblical concept that [God's discipline, though painful, yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness](/hebrews/12-11 "Hebrews 12:11 - The Purpose of Discipline"). Secondly, the verse highlights **the transformative power of God's Word**, asserting that the ultimate purpose and benefit of affliction is a deeper acquisition and appreciation of God's statutes. It suggests that hardship often strips away distractions, driving individuals back to the foundational truths of Scripture. Thirdly, it speaks to **divine sovereignty and purposeful action**, affirming that God is not only present in suffering but can orchestrate circumstances, even painful ones, for the spiritual good of His people, a truth echoed in [Romans 8:28, where all things work together for good](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work Together for Good to Those Who Love God"). Finally, the verse exemplifies **spiritual growth through adversity**, demonstrating that true wisdom and maturity can emerge from trials when approached with a heart open to God's instruction.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Afflicted (Hebrew, _‘anah’'_ עָנָה):** This verb carries a rich semantic range, encompassing meanings such as "to humble," "to oppress," "to bring low," "to discipline," or "to suffer." In the context of Psalms 119:71, it implies a state of being subjected to hardship, distress, or oppression, which results in a humbling experience. It's not merely passive suffering but often involves a process of being brought to a place of dependence and receptivity, where one's self-reliance is broken, opening the way for divine instruction. The psalmist's use of the passive voice ("I have been afflicted") suggests that this experience was something imposed upon him, yet recognized as having a divine hand behind it.
* **Good (Hebrew, _tov'_ טוֹב):** The word _tov_ signifies more than just pleasantness; it denotes something beneficial, advantageous, morally right, or excellent. When the psalmist declares his affliction was "good," he is making a qualitative judgment about its ultimate outcome and purpose, rather than its immediate sensation. It was "good" because it served a higher, redemptive purpose, leading to spiritual gain that far outweighed the temporal pain. This perspective elevates the understanding of suffering from a mere misfortune to a divinely orchestrated instrument for spiritual formation.
* **Statutes (Hebrew, _choqim'_ חֻקִּים):** This term refers to God's prescribed laws, decrees, or ordinances. These are fixed, unchangeable, and authoritative divine enactments, often understood as God's established boundaries or requirements for human conduct and relationship with Him. The use of _choqim_ here emphasizes the precise, non-negotiable nature of the divine instruction the psalmist sought to learn. It implies a deep, foundational understanding of God's revealed will, not just a superficial acquaintance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"It is good for me that I have been afflicted;":** This opening clause presents a profound paradox. The psalmist, having experienced hardship, declares it to be "good." This is not a masochistic embrace of pain, but a mature spiritual assessment of its redemptive outcome. He recognizes God's hand in his suffering, seeing it not as punitive abandonment but as purposeful discipline. The "goodness" lies in the ultimate benefit derived, demonstrating a faith that transcends immediate discomfort to perceive God's sovereign and benevolent design even in adversity. This statement is a testament to the psalmist's cultivated wisdom, acknowledging that what feels detrimental in the moment can be profoundly constructive in the long run.
* **"that I might learn thy statutes.":** This clause reveals the *telos*, or ultimate purpose, of the affliction. The suffering was not an end in itself but a means to a greater spiritual end: a deeper, more profound learning of God's divine decrees. The verb "learn" (לָמַד, *lamad*) implies not just intellectual apprehension but also practical application and internalization. It suggests that the affliction created a unique environment—perhaps of humility, dependence, or desperation—that made the psalmist more receptive and diligent in seeking out and adhering to God's Word. In times of ease, one might become complacent, but hardship often drives individuals to the foundational truths and instructions of God's Word, making them more attentive and obedient students.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 119:71 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Paradox**, where the seemingly contradictory idea that "affliction" (a negative experience) can be "good" (a positive outcome) arrests the reader's attention and invites deeper contemplation. This paradox highlights a spiritual truth that transcends conventional human wisdom. The verse also functions as a powerful **Personal Testimony**, using the first-person declaration ("It is good for me that I have been afflicted") to lend authenticity and relatability to the psalmist's experience. This makes the truth more impactful as it comes from lived experience rather than abstract theology. Furthermore, the clause "that I might learn thy statutes" serves as a **Teleological Statement**, explicitly stating the divine purpose behind the suffering. This clear articulation of purpose transforms the experience of pain from meaningless hardship into a purposeful, educational journey guided by God. Finally, the verse is inherently **Didactic**, aiming to teach a vital lesson about the redemptive potential of suffering and the supreme value of God's Word as the ultimate source of wisdom and guidance, particularly in times of trial.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 119:71 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of suffering and divine pedagogy, resonating throughout the biblical narrative. It challenges the simplistic notion that all suffering is punitive, instead presenting it as a crucible for spiritual formation and a pathway to deeper knowledge of God's character and commands. This perspective aligns with the broader biblical theme that God, in His infinite wisdom and love, often uses the difficult circumstances of life to refine, humble, and instruct His people, drawing them closer to Himself and His revealed will. The psalmist's declaration that affliction was "good" because it led him to God's statutes foreshadows New Testament teachings on the sanctifying power of trials, where endurance produces character, and character, hope. It underscores the sovereignty of God, who can orchestrate or permit even painful events to achieve His righteous and beneficial purposes in the lives of believers, ultimately for their spiritual maturity and His glory.

* [Romans 5:3-5](/romans/5-3 "Romans 5:3-5 - Benefits of Suffering")
* [Hebrews 12:10-11](/hebrews/12-10 "Hebrews 12:10-11 - God's Discipline for Our Good")
* [James 1:2-4](/james/1-2 "James 1:2-4 - Testing of Faith Produces Steadfastness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 119:71 provides a transformative lens through which to view life's inevitable hardships. Instead of succumbing to despair or bitterness when affliction strikes, this verse invites us to embrace a posture of faith and learning, trusting that God's hand is at work even in our pain. It encourages us to reframe suffering not as a curse, but as a potential classroom where divine truths are most deeply impressed upon our hearts. When trials come, whether physical, emotional, or relational, our first instinct should be to turn to God's Word, recognizing that these very difficulties might be the means by which He intends to teach us a new "statute," reveal a deeper facet of His character, or impress upon us a forgotten truth. This requires humility to admit our need for instruction and active engagement with Scripture, allowing its light to illuminate our path even in the darkest valleys. By adopting this perspective, we can move beyond mere endurance to genuine spiritual growth, finding purpose and even gratitude in circumstances we would naturally wish to avoid.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically react when faced with unexpected hardship or suffering? Is your first inclination to question God's goodness or to seek His instruction?**
* **Can you identify a past affliction in your life that, in retrospect, led you to a deeper understanding of God's Word or a closer walk with Him? What specific "statutes" did you learn?**
* **In what ways might God be using a current challenge or difficulty in your life to teach you something new about His character, His commands, or His will for you?**
* **What practical steps can you take to intentionally turn to God's Word and seek His wisdom *during* times of affliction, rather than waiting for ease and comfort?**

### FAQ

**Is God the one who causes affliction, or does He merely allow it?**

Answer: The Bible presents a nuanced view. While God is sovereign over all things and can certainly bring about or allow affliction for His purposes, it's crucial to understand His character. In Psalms 119:71, the psalmist states, "I have been afflicted," implying a passive experience, but the context of Psalm 119 often speaks of God's righteous judgments and the psalmist's trust in God's good dealings (e.g., [Psalms 119:65](/psalms/119-65 "Psalms 119:65 - You Have Dealt Well with Your Servant")). For believers, affliction is often understood not as punitive judgment for sin (which Christ has already borne), but as divine discipline or instruction. [Hebrews 12:10-11](/hebrews/12-10 "Hebrews 12:10-11 - God's Discipline for Our Good") clearly states that God disciplines us "for our good, that we may share in His holiness." While sin can certainly lead to suffering, and we live in a fallen world where natural disasters and human evil exist, God is able to use *all* circumstances, including those He permits or orchestrates, to refine His children and draw them closer to His Word. So, while He may not directly *cause* every instance of suffering in the way a human agent might, He is certainly sovereign over it and redeems it for a redemptive purpose.

**How can affliction be "good" when it's so painful and difficult to endure?**

Answer: The "goodness" of affliction, as expressed in Psalms 119:71, is not about the immediate experience of pain, which is inherently unpleasant, but about the ultimate, beneficial outcome. It's a statement of faith and perspective, recognizing that God can transform even the most grievous circumstances into instruments of spiritual growth and deeper understanding. Just as a surgeon's painful incision is "good" because it leads to healing, or intense athletic training is "good" because it leads to strength, so too can spiritual affliction be "good" because it leads to a more profound knowledge of God's statutes. Often, in times of comfort, we become complacent or distracted from God's Word. Affliction strips away these distractions, humbles us, and creates a desperate hunger for divine truth, making us more receptive students of God's law. The pain is real, but the purpose is redemptive, leading to a spiritual maturity and wisdom that might not have been attained otherwise. This perspective aligns with [Romans 5:3-4](/romans/5-3 "Romans 5:3-4 - Suffering Produces Endurance") which teaches that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 119:71 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist learned God's statutes through his own affliction, Jesus, the Son of God, perfectly embodied this principle in His earthly life and redemptive mission. The book of Hebrews explicitly states that Jesus, "though he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered" ([Hebrews 5:8](/hebrews/5-8 "Hebrews 5:8 - Jesus Learned Obedience Through Suffering")). This does not imply that Jesus was ever disobedient, but rather that His perfect obedience was demonstrated and perfected *through* the crucible of His human experience, culminating in the ultimate affliction of the cross. His suffering was not for His own learning in the sense of acquiring new knowledge, but for the perfection of His human nature as our High Priest, making Him fully able to sympathize with our weaknesses ([Hebrews 2:10](/hebrews/2-10 "Hebrews 2:10 - Jesus Perfected Through Suffering") and [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")). The cross, the ultimate affliction, was the means by which God's greatest "statute"—His eternal plan of salvation—was fulfilled, demonstrating His righteousness and love. For believers united with Christ, our own afflictions, when endured in Him, become a means by which we share in His sufferings ([Philippians 3:10](/philippians/3-10 "Philippians 3:10 - Sharing in Christ's Sufferings")), are conformed to His image ([Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to the Image of His Son")), and grow in our understanding and application of God's Word, which is now revealed most fully in Christ, the living Word ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")). Thus, our suffering, like the psalmist's, can be "good" because it draws us deeper into the life and truth of the One who suffered for us, making us more like Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 12:10

For they verily for a few days chastened [us] after their own pleasure; but he for [our] profit, that [we] might be partakers of his holiness.

Hebrews 12:11

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Psalms 119:67

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

1 Corinthians 11:32

But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Psalms 94:12

¶ Blessed [is] the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;

Psalms 94:13

That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.

Isaiah 27:9

By 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.