Psalm 119:71
New International Version
It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.

New Living Translation
My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.

English Standard Version
It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

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

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

New King James Version
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.

New American Standard Bible
It is good for me that I was afflicted, So that I may learn Your statutes.

NASB 1995
It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.

NASB 1977
It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Thy statutes.

Legacy Standard Bible
It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.

Amplified Bible
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.

Christian Standard Bible
It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn your statutes.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn Your statutes.

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

Contemporary English Version
When you corrected me, it did me good because it taught me to study your laws.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
It was good that I had to suffer in order to learn your laws.

Good News Translation
My punishment was good for me, because it made me learn your commands.

International Standard Version
It was for my good that I was humbled; so that I would learn your statutes.

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

NET Bible
It was good for me to suffer, so that I might learn your statutes.

New Heart English Bible
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.

Webster's Bible Translation
It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

World English Bible
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
[It is] good for me that I have been afflicted, "" That I might learn Your statutes.

Young's Literal Translation
Good for me that I have been afflicted, That I might learn Thy statutes.

Smith's Literal Translation
Good for me that thou didst humble me, so that I shall learn thy laws.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
It is good for me that thou hast humbled me, that I may learn thy justifications.

Catholic Public Domain Version
It is good for me that you humbled me, so that I may learn your justifications.

New American Bible
It was good for me to be afflicted, in order to learn your statutes.

New Revised Standard Version
It is good for me that I was humbled, so that I might learn your statutes.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
It is good for me that I have been humbled, that I might learn thy statutes.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
It is good for me that I have been humbled that I may learn your commandments.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, In order that I might learn Thy statutes.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
It is good for me that thou hast afflicted me; that I might learn thine ordinances.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet
70Their hearts are hard and callous, but I delight in Your law. 71It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes. 72The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.…

Cross References
Hebrews 12:11
No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, / because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. / Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Romans 5:3-5
Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; / perseverance, character; and character, hope. / And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.

1 Peter 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials / so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Job 5:17-18
Blessed indeed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. / For He wounds, but He also binds; He strikes, but His hands also heal.

Proverbs 3:11-12
My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke; / for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

1 Peter 5:10
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Lamentations 3:32-33
Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion. / For He does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men.

Isaiah 48:10
See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

Deuteronomy 8:2-3
Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments. / He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

1 Corinthians 11:32
But when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.


Treasury of Scripture

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

good

Psalm 119:67
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

Psalm 94:12,13
Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; …

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.

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Psalm 119
1. This psalm contains various prayers, praises, and professions of obedience.
2. Aleph.
9. Beth
17. Gimel
25. Daleth
33. He
41. Waw
49. Zayin
57. Heth
65. Teth
73. Yodh
81. Kaph
89. Lamedh
97. Mem
105. Nun
113. Samekh
121. Ayin
129. Pe
137. Tsadhe
145. Qoph
153. Resh
161. Sin and Shin
169. Taw














It was good for me
This phrase reflects a profound acknowledgment of the benefits derived from experiences that may not initially seem positive. The Hebrew root for "good" is "טוֹב" (tov), which encompasses meanings of goodness, welfare, and benefit. In the context of the psalmist's life, this suggests a recognition that God's purposes are ultimately for the believer's good, even when circumstances are challenging. Historically, this aligns with the broader biblical narrative where trials are often used by God to refine and strengthen His people, as seen in the lives of figures like Joseph and Job.

to be afflicted
The term "afflicted" comes from the Hebrew "עָנָה" (anah), which can mean to be humbled or oppressed. This word choice indicates that the psalmist's suffering was not random but served a divine purpose. In the ancient Near Eastern context, affliction was often seen as a means of discipline or instruction. Scripturally, this aligns with passages such as Hebrews 12:6, which speaks of the Lord disciplining those He loves. The psalmist's acceptance of affliction as beneficial reflects a deep trust in God's sovereignty and goodness.

that I might learn
The desire to "learn" is central to the psalmist's response to affliction. The Hebrew word "לָמַד" (lamad) implies not just acquiring knowledge but being trained or accustomed to something. This suggests a process of growth and transformation. In the biblical context, learning is often associated with wisdom and understanding, which are highly valued in the Scriptures. The psalmist sees affliction as a teacher, guiding him towards greater spiritual maturity and insight.

Your statutes
The term "statutes" is translated from the Hebrew "חֻקִּים" (chuqqim), which refers to decrees or laws that are established by God. These are not merely rules but are seen as divine instructions that lead to life and blessing. In the historical context of Israel, the statutes were given to guide the people in righteousness and to set them apart as God's chosen nation. The psalmist's commitment to learning God's statutes through affliction underscores the belief that true wisdom and understanding come from aligning one's life with God's revealed will. This reflects a conservative Christian perspective that values Scripture as the ultimate authority and guide for life.

(71) It is good . . .--See Psalm 119:67. Probably the result of discipline on the nation is intended, though the "sweet uses of adversity" were long ago a truism of moralists. See 'sch., Agam., 172:

"Who guideth mortals to wisdom, maketh them grasp lore

Firmly through their pain."

Verse 71. - It is good for me that I have been afflicted (see the comment on ver. 67). That I might learn thy statutes. The whole nation "learnt God's statutes" by the affliction of the Babylonish Captivity. Individuals "learnt" them equally by their special chastisements.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
It was good
טֽוֹב־ (ṭō·wḇ-)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

for me to
כִֽי־ (ḵî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

be afflicted,
עֻנֵּ֑יתִי (‘un·nê·ṯî)
Verb - Pual - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6031: To be bowed down or afflicted

that
לְ֝מַ֗עַן (lə·ma·‘an)
Conjunction
Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent

I might learn
אֶלְמַ֥ד (’el·maḏ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3925: To exercise in, learn

Your statutes.
חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃ (ḥuq·qe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2706: Something prescribed or owed, a statute


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OT Poetry: Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 119:70
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