Psalms 119:75

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

I know {H3045}, O LORD {H3068}, that thy judgments {H4941} are right {H6664}, and that thou in faithfulness {H530} hast afflicted {H6031} me.

Complete Jewish Bible

I know, ADONAI, that your rulings are righteous, that even when you humble me you are faithful.

Berean Standard Bible

I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.

American Standard Version

I know, O Jehovah, that thy judgments are righteous, And that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 119:75 presents a profound declaration of faith and trust in God's character, even in the midst of personal suffering. The psalmist affirms an unwavering conviction that the Lord's judgments are inherently righteous and that any affliction experienced is not arbitrary but a purposeful act rooted in divine faithfulness. This verse encapsulates a mature spiritual perspective, transforming the perception of hardship from a punitive or random event into a divinely ordained process intended for spiritual refinement and growth, underscoring God's perfect justice and steadfast love.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an elaborate acrostic poem structured around the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, with eight verses dedicated to each letter. It is a profound meditation on the beauty, wisdom, and transformative power of God's law, referred to by various synonyms like "word," "judgments," "statutes," "precepts," "commandments," "ordinances," and "testimonies." This particular verse falls within the section corresponding to the Hebrew letter "Ayin" (verses 73-80). In this segment, the psalmist expresses a deep desire for understanding, wisdom, and divine help, often in the face of proud adversaries or personal distress. Verse 75 specifically follows a plea for God's mercy and comfort (verse 76) and an affirmation of delight in God's law (verse 77), placing the acknowledgment of affliction within a broader context of seeking God's presence and finding solace in His word. The immediate verses frame the psalmist's suffering as a means by which he learns God's statutes (verse 71), reinforcing the idea of affliction as a pedagogical tool.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the authorship of Psalm 119 is traditionally attributed to David, its exact historical setting is not explicitly stated. However, the themes of persecution, reliance on God's law, and the experience of affliction resonate with various periods of Israelite history, particularly times of exile, oppression, or personal trials faced by righteous individuals. The concept of divine judgment (מִשְׁפָּטִים, _mishpatim_) was central to Israelite understanding of God's governance, encompassing both His decrees and His acts of justice in the world. Affliction, or suffering, was often viewed through a theological lens, not merely as misfortune but as potentially linked to sin, divine discipline, or a test of faith. The cultural understanding of covenant faithfulness (אֱמוּנָה, _'emunah_) meant that God's actions, even those that brought hardship, were perceived as consistent with His promises and His character as a just and loving God who disciplines those He loves, much like a father disciplines his child. This perspective allowed believers to find meaning and purpose in suffering, rather than despair.

* **Key Themes:** Psalms 119:75 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Psalm 119 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the **Sovereignty of God**, asserting that even personal suffering is under His ultimate control and direction. The psalmist does not attribute his affliction to chance or human malice alone but directly to God's hand, revealing a profound theological understanding of divine providence. Secondly, it highlights **God's Unquestionable Justice and Righteousness**. Despite the pain, the psalmist's conviction that God's "judgments are right" demonstrates an unwavering trust in God's moral perfection, even when His ways are inscrutable to human understanding. This theme is echoed throughout the Psalms, as seen in [Psalms 9:8](/psalms/9-8 "Psalms 9:8 - God Judges the World Righteously"). Thirdly, and perhaps most strikingly, the verse introduces the theme of **Divine Faithfulness in Affliction**. The declaration that God "in faithfulness hast afflicted me" transforms suffering from a curse into a demonstration of God's steadfast love and commitment to His people's ultimate good. This concept is foundational to understanding the purpose of trials, as they are often presented as a means of refinement, teaching, and drawing believers closer to God, as also seen in [Psalms 94:12](/psalms/94-12 "Psalms 94:12 - Blessed is the Man Whom God Disciplines").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Judgments (Hebrew, _mishpatim'_):** This plural noun refers to God's decrees, ordinances, and acts of justice. It encompasses the entirety of God's righteous rule and His decisions, whether revealed in His law or executed in His dealings with humanity. The term implies fairness, rectitude, and the inherent moral correctness of God's actions. When the psalmist declares God's judgments are "right," he is affirming the perfect moral integrity and equity of all God's ways, even when they are difficult to comprehend or experience.
* **Faithfulness (Hebrew, _'emunah'_):** This word signifies steadfastness, reliability, truth, and trustworthiness. It is derived from the root 'aman, meaning "to be firm, reliable, or established." When affliction comes "in faithfulness," it means that God's actions are consistent with His unchanging character and His covenant promises. It implies that His discipline is not capricious, arbitrary, or punitive in a retributive sense, but rather a reliable and trustworthy expression of His covenant love and commitment to the well-being and spiritual maturity of His child.
* **Afflicted (Hebrew, _'anah'_):** This verb carries a range of meanings including to humble, to bring low, to chasten, to oppress, or to cause to suffer. In this context, given its association with "faithfulness," it strongly connotes divine discipline or refinement rather than mere punishment for sin. It suggests a process designed to teach, purify, strengthen, or draw the individual into deeper communion with God. The psalmist understands that this "bringing low" is not for destruction but for spiritual elevation and conformity to God's will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right":** This opening clause is a confident, declarative statement of theological conviction. The psalmist is not questioning or hypothesizing; he "knows" with certainty that God's decrees and actions are inherently just and morally perfect. This knowledge is not merely intellectual assent but a deep, experiential understanding forged in the crucible of life. It serves as the foundational premise for accepting the subsequent, more challenging truth. The address "O LORD" (Yahweh) emphasizes the personal, covenantal relationship with the God who is both just and faithful.
* **"and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me":** This second clause reveals the profound spiritual maturity of the psalmist. He directly attributes his suffering ("afflicted me") to God's sovereign hand, but critically, he qualifies this action as being "in faithfulness." This is the core insight of the verse: God's discipline or hardship is not a sign of His displeasure or abandonment, but rather an expression of His steadfast love and commitment to His child's ultimate good. The affliction serves a redemptive, refining purpose, aimed at drawing the psalmist closer to God and His righteous ways, a testament to God's unwavering reliability.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Apostrophe** is evident in the direct address, "O LORD," which creates a sense of intimate dialogue and personal confession between the psalmist and God. The structure of the verse itself presents a form of **Parallelism**, specifically a synthetic or constructive parallelism, where the second clause builds upon and completes the thought of the first. The affirmation of God's "judgments are right" sets the stage for the challenging yet profound truth that God "in faithfulness hast afflicted me," showing a logical progression from general divine righteousness to specific, personal, and purposeful divine action. Furthermore, the phrase "in faithfulness hast afflicted me" is a striking **Paradox** from a purely human perspective. Affliction is typically associated with negative outcomes or punishment, yet here it is linked to God's most positive attribute—His faithfulness. This paradoxical statement highlights a deep theological truth: God's love and commitment can manifest in ways that are painful but ultimately redemptive, transforming the perception of suffering into a sign of divine care and investment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 119:75 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of God and the purpose of suffering, moving beyond a simplistic cause-and-effect understanding of hardship. It posits that God's actions, even those that bring affliction, are always rooted in His perfect righteousness and unwavering faithfulness. This perspective transforms suffering from a mere misfortune into a divinely orchestrated process of refinement and spiritual growth, demonstrating God's active, loving involvement in the lives of His people. It challenges believers to trust God's character even when His methods are painful, recognizing that His ultimate aim is always redemptive and for their good.

* [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God's Perfect Work and Just Ways")
* [Hebrews 12:6](/hebrews/12-6 "Hebrews 12:6 - The Lord Disciplines Those He Loves")
* [Romans 5:3-4](/romans/5-3 "Romans 5:3-4 - Suffering Produces Perseverance and Hope")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 119:75 provides a vital framework for navigating the inevitable hardships of life with a robust, biblical perspective. It calls us to move beyond a superficial understanding of suffering as random or purely punitive, inviting us instead to recognize God's sovereign hand and faithful purpose within our trials. When affliction strikes, this verse encourages us to anchor ourselves in the unshakeable truth of God's righteousness, trusting that His judgments are always right, even when they are difficult to bear. It challenges us to ask not "Why me?" but "What is God, in His faithfulness, teaching me through this?" Embracing this truth allows us to find meaning and spiritual growth amidst pain, transforming our lament into a declaration of trust and our struggle into a pathway to deeper intimacy with our faithful God. This mature perspective enables us to endure, knowing that every trial, when received with faith, is a testament to God's enduring love and His commitment to our ultimate good and conformity to His character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's faithfulness as the source of affliction change your perspective on personal suffering?**
* **In what ways have you experienced God's refining hand through past difficulties, leading to spiritual growth?**
* **What specific "judgments" or circumstances in your life are you currently struggling to affirm as "right," and how can you lean into God's character in those areas?**
* **How can the conviction that God's discipline is an act of love deepen your trust in Him, even when His methods are painful?**

### FAQ
**Does "afflicted me" mean God causes suffering directly, or just allows it?**

Answer: The Hebrew verb _'anah_ (עָנָה) used here, coupled with the phrase "in faithfulness," strongly indicates that the psalmist perceives God as the direct agent of the affliction, not merely a passive observer. This perspective is common in the Old Testament, where God is often depicted as sovereignly orchestrating all events, including hardship, for His purposes. However, it's crucial to understand this not as capricious punishment but as purposeful discipline rooted in His covenant love and faithfulness. It's a "chastening" or "humbling" intended for spiritual growth and correction, much like a loving parent disciplines a child. This doesn't negate human responsibility or the existence of evil, but it places all circumstances, even painful ones, under God's ultimate wise and righteous control, as seen in [Job 1:21](/job/1-21 "Job 1:21 - Job's Response to Suffering").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 119:75, with its profound declaration of God's righteous judgments and faithful affliction, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist grappled with personal suffering as a sign of God's faithfulness, Christ embodies the perfect righteous judgment and the ultimate faithful affliction. Jesus, "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), willingly endured the most profound affliction on the cross, not for His own sin, but for ours. His suffering was the perfect execution of God's righteous judgment against sin, yet it was also the supreme demonstration of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises of redemption. Through Christ's affliction, we see that God's discipline is not merely corrective but redemptive, leading to new life. Believers are called to share in Christ's sufferings ([Philippians 3:10](/philippians/3-10 "Philippians 3:10 - Sharing in Christ's Sufferings")), understanding that their own afflictions, when united with His, are also purposeful and faithful, conforming them to His image ([Romans 8:28-29](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28-29 - God Works All Things for Good")). Thus, the psalmist's trust in God's faithful hand in affliction becomes a foreshadowing of the New Testament truth that all things, including suffering, work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose, ultimately pointing to the perfecting work of Christ within us ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith")).

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

Revelation 3:19

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

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.

Romans 3:4

God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

Romans 3:5

But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? [Is] God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

Psalms 89:30

If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;

Psalms 89:33

Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.