Study notes ▪ 2014
Tags: Psalm 119:50, 67, 71, 75, 92, 107, 153; Suffering; Scripture; Spiritual growth
Related Resources: The Christian and the Word of God ▪ “The Wrong Side of the Tracks” ▪ Growth: A New Testament Overview ▪ “Blessed Is the One Who Considers the Poor!” An Analysis of Psalm 41 ▪ Progress in Spite of Adversity ▪ Suffering: Preparation for Ministry
The 119th Psalm makes reference to affliction seven times, using either the verb ‘ānâ or its cognate noun, ‘ŏnî (see Texts and Key Words for details). When these references are examined as a group, they reveal a systematic process through which affliction contributes to the process of spiritual maturation.
Texts (ESV)
50
|
This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. |
67
|
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. |
71
|
It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. |
75
|
I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. |
92
|
If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. |
107
|
I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word! |
153
|
Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget your law.
|
Key Words
“Afflicted” (Hebrew ‘ānâ)
- Part of Speech
Verb
- Occurrences in Psalm 119
67, 71, 75, 107
- Meaning
- “The primary meaning of ‘ānâ III is ‘to force,’ or ‘to try to force submission,’ and ‘to punish or inflict pain upon,’ mostly in the Piel. . . . The Bible attests this root over two hundred times” (Coppes 682).
- The verb occurs in four forms in Psalm 119, as shown below. Definitions are from Brown, Driver, and Briggs (776).
- Niphal [simple passive]: 107
“be afflicted”
- Piel [intensive active]: 75
“afflict as a discipline (God agent)”
- Pual [intensive passive]: 71
“be afflicted, in discipline by God”
- Hiphil [causative active]: 67
“be afflicted”
- Lexical Numbers
- Strong’s: 6031
- TWOT: 1652
“Affliction” (Hebrew ‘ŏnî)
- Part of Speech
Noun
- Occurrences in Psalm 119
50, 92, 153
- Meaning
- The essential idea is that of affliction or poverty (Coppes 682; Brown, Driver, and Briggs 777).
- “This word expresses the state of pain or punishment resulting from affliction” (Coppes 684).
- Lexical Numbers
- Strong’s: 6040
- TWOT: 1652e
Graphical Model
Analysis of the Maturation Process
Go astray
The maturation process begins with the believer going astray; this is said to precede suffering affliction (67). Whether the relationship between wandering and suffering is causal or merely sequential is not overtly stated. Certainly, going astray and being afflicted are universal experiences for believers. What the psalmist emphasizes is the contrast in his life before and after affliction. The process that begins with error leads to suffering and somehow culminates in obedience.
Suffer affliction
All of the verses under consideration in this study refer to affliction, whether in the form of a verb (67, 71, 75, 107) or a noun (50, 92, 153). While it is a natural human tendency to view suffering as evil, the psalmist strikingly claims that his affliction originates with God; yet this does not compromise his goodness (75).
There is also a sense in which the affliction is self-inflicted: “Another theological theme frequently connected with this word is self-inflicted inner pain expressing contrition and often accompanied by fasting. . . . The Niphal uses of the word are reflexive, emphasizing self-affliction (Ps 119:107; Isa 58:10)” (Coppes 682).
The affliction that is in view is not some minor humbling; in fact, it can be severe (107). The Piel form of the verb, which occurs in 75, carries an intensive sense (Coppes 682). It may be associated with the sense that one will perish (92). Indeed it requires divine intervention, whether in the form of deliverance (153) or comfort (50).
Ask for preservation/renewal
The intense pressure of affliction mobilizes the believer to call out to God in prayer. It drives him or her to seek “life”—preservation or renewal—from the Lord (107). The psalmist expresses this in terms of asking God to notice his affliction and then carry out a rescue mission (153).
Learn/keep/trust God’s word
Affliction induces the believer to depend more fully on God’s word. All seven of the verses in Psalm 119 that mention affliction also make reference to divine revelation:
- “your promise” (50)
- “your word” (67, 107)
- “your statutes” (71)
- “your rules” (75)
- “your law” (92, 153)
Through affliction the believer comes to learn that God’s word is essential to life (50, 107). Suffering opens the believer’s heart to pay attention to God’s revelation. The process of affliction aids in learning God’s statutes (71) and obeying his word (67). The believer does not forget God’s law (153), but rather comes to delight in it (92). In the process he or she learns to affirm that God’s rules are righteous (75).
“According to Your Word”
The psalmist cries out for divine intervention “according to your word” (107). God’s word is the channel by which he mediates many blessings to the believer. Elsewhere in Psalm 119 the psalmist claims the following blessings according to God’s word/promise:
- Guarding one’s way to keep it pure (9)
- Receiving “life” in a desperate situation (25, 116, 154)
- Receiving strength in time of sorrow (28)
- Deliverance in the face of opposition or trouble (41, 170)
- Receiving gracious favor (58)
- Experiencing God’s goodness (65)
- Receiving comfort (76)
- Gaining insight in time of trouble (169)
Take comfort in God’s faithful purpose
Affliction, though painful, is ultimately beneficial (71). There is a purpose in affliction, and when the believer discovers it, he/she can see the value of the process. The believer comes to affirm that affliction is neither random—it comes from God—nor cruel—he is faithful (75). Through the process of affliction the believer learns to appreciate the goodness of God’s character and actions. Therefore, being afflicted leads the believer to greater intimacy with God. Empowered with this assurance, the psalmist can lay hold of comfort in time of affliction (50).
Texts (Other Versions)
Psalms 119:50
| NASB |
This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me. |
NRSV
|
This is my comfort in my distress, that your promise gives me life. |
NKJV
|
This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life. |
NIV
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My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. |
BBE
|
This is my comfort in my trouble; that your sayings have given me life. |
NET
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This is what comforts me in my trouble, for your promise revives me. |
NLT
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Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles. |
MSG
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These words hold me up in bad times; yes, your promises rejuvenate me. |
Psalms 119:67
| NASB |
Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word. |
NRSV
|
Before I was humbled I went astray, but now I keep your word. |
NKJV
|
Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word. |
NIV
|
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. |
BBE
|
Before I was in trouble I went out of the way; but now I keep your word. |
NET
|
Before I was afflicted I used to stray off, but now I keep your instructions. |
NLT
|
I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.
|
MSG
|
Before I learned to answer you, I wandered all over the place, but now I’m in step with your Word. |
Psalms 119:71
| NASB |
It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. |
NRSV
|
It is good for me that I was humbled, so that I might learn your statutes. |
NKJV
|
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.
|
NIV
|
It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. |
BBE
|
It is good for me to have been through trouble; so that I might come to the knowledge of your rules. |
NET
|
It was good for me to suffer, so that I might learn your statutes. |
NLT
|
My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.
|
MSG
|
My troubles turned out all for the best-they forced me to learn from your textbook. |
Psalms 119:75
| NASB |
I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. |
NRSV
|
I know, O LORD, that your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness you have humbled me.
|
NKJV
|
I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. |
NIV
|
I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me. |
BBE
|
I have seen, O Lord, that your decisions are right, and that in unchanging faith you have sent trouble on me.
|
NET
|
I know, Lord, that your regulations are just. You disciplined me because of your faithful devotion to me. |
NLT
|
I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it. |
MSG
|
I can see now, God, that your decisions are right; your testing has taught me what’s true and right.
|
Psalms 119:92
| NASB |
If Your law had not been my delight, Then I would have perished in my affliction.
|
NRSV
|
If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my misery. |
NKJV
|
Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. |
NIV
|
If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. |
BBE
|
If your law had not been my delight, my troubles would have put an end to me. |
NET
|
If I had not found encouragement in your law, I would have died in my sorrow.
|
NLT
|
If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery. |
MSG
|
If your revelation hadn’t delighted me so, I would have given up when the hard times came. |
Psalms 119:107
| NASB |
I am exceedingly afflicted; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word. |
NRSV
|
I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word. |
NKJV
|
I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word. |
NIV
|
I have suffered much; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word. |
BBE
|
I am greatly troubled, O Lord, give me life in keeping with your word. |
NET
|
I am suffering terribly. O Lord, revive me with your word! |
NLT
|
I have suffered much, O Lord; restore my life again as you promised. |
MSG
|
Everything’s falling apart on me, God; put me together again with your Word. |
Psalms 119:153
| NASB |
Look upon my affliction and rescue me, For I do not forget Your law. |
NRSV
|
Look on my misery and rescue me, for I do not forget your law
|
NKJV
|
Consider my affliction and deliver me, For I do not forget Your law. |
NIV
|
Look upon my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law. |
BBE
|
O see my trouble, and be my saviour; for I keep your law in my mind, |
NET
|
See my pain and rescue me! For I do not forget your law. |
NLT
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Look upon my suffering and rescue me, for I have not forgotten your instructions. |
MSG
|
Take a good look at my trouble, and help me-I haven’t forgotten your revelation. |
Sources
Brown, Francis, S. R. Driver, and Charles A. Briggs, eds. The New Brown, Driver, and Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. 1907. Lafayette, IN: Associated Publishers and Authors, 1981.
Coppes, Leonard J. “1651 (‘ānâ); 1652 (‘ānâ).” Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Ed. R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer, Jr., and Bruce K. Waltke. Vol. 2. Chicago: Moody, 1980. 682-84.
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