Psalm 119 is perhaps best known for its numerous references to––and varied designations of––the Word of God. It breathes the language of the Jewish remnant in a coming day when the law is written in their hearts, which is one of the components of the new covenant, as distinct from the old covenant which was written on tables of stone (Jer. 31:3333But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Jeremiah 31:33)).
With this acknowledged, it is interesting, then, that we find the thought of affliction mentioned seven times in this psalm. Suffering is taken up in many different aspects in Scripture and for varied purposes ordered by our God. If we consider affliction in light of the character of this particular psalm, it would impress upon us the importance and relevance of the Word of God in our lives during times of definite trial. It is in this context that we would consider the psalmist’s reflections. Further, there is growth in the soul as we move from one mention of affliction to the next.
Comfort Not Extrication
“This is my comfort in my affliction: for Thy word hath quickened me” (vs. 50).
Often when trials come, our first reaction is either to try to extricate ourselves out of the trial altogether, or, at least, to seek some lessening of the trial. In contrast to this attitude, the psalmist found the Word of God to be a comfort and refreshment to his spirit. He says nothing about the help of man or the promise of deliverance, but talks about what the Word of God meant to him in his affliction. Have we found the Word of God to be a comfort to our souls in times of trial? This was just the beginning of the Lord’s working with him in the furnace of affliction (Isa. 48:1010Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. (Isaiah 48:10)).
The Outcome
“Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Thy word” (vs. 67).
The psalmist now moves beyond speaking of comfort received through the Scriptures in his suffering, and he acknowledges that there was a course of departure from the Lord before the affliction came. One immediate outcome of affliction is that we should return to the Lord if we have strayed from Him, even if only inwardly. More than this, the Word of God, which previously did not have control over him, now is treasured in the soul and kept. The Word of God cherished in the affections will preserve us from a path that leads us away from the Lord.
For Our Good
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes” (vs. 71).
We often quote the scripture that tells us that “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God” (Rom. 8:2828And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)), but faith must be in activity for us to speak of that which is unpleasant, trying and sorrowful as being “good,” or for our good. The reason the psalmist could speak of affliction in this way was that through the trial he learned the Lord’s statutes. We are familiar with academic learning, as from a textbook, but to learn experimentally what meets with the Lord’s approval requires our drawing near to Him to learn from Him.
Right Judgments
“I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments are right, and that Thou in faithfulness hath afflicted me” (vs. 75).
The psalmist continues to grow in his soul. From finding relief in affliction, then experiencing restoration and instruction as a result of affliction, he now recognizes the Lord’s righteous character in afflicting him. He has come to the point where he sees things as the Lord sees them. He realizes that the affliction was necessary for him, based on what he has come to know of the Lord. This goes beyond what he felt his needs to be, but rather brings in what the Lord’s character required of His servant.
Preservation
“Unless Thy law had been my delight, I should then have perished in my affliction” (vs. 92).
Now, in reflection, the psalmist recognized the extremity of the trial he was in, and that only by finding his delight in the law of the Lord was he preserved in the pathway of faith. How great has been his progress! The Word now eclipses the trial. The Word providing relief, then learned and treasured in the soul, led him to understand God’s thoughts and the rightness of God’s ways, and it has now become his delight, such as the blessed man of Psalm 1. How high a portion to “joy in God” (Rom. 5:1111And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. (Romans 5:11)) and delight in His Word.
Quickening
“I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto Thy word” (vs. 107).
The affliction now deepens, yet the Lord will not test us above what we are able to bear (1 Cor. 10:13). Drawing on what he first experienced in time of trial, the psalmist now cries directly to the Lord for that same quickening. He knows where relief is to be found; it is not a matter of learning this. He knows the source of comfort and that even this deep trial is not beyond the Lord’s ability to help.
Deliverance
“Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget Thy law” (vs. 153).
We might wonder where progress is evident as we come to this last mention of affliction. At first glance, it seems to take lower ground than even the first exercise, for here we find the sufferer is requesting deliverance from the trial itself, rather than seeking some spiritual gain through the trial. Yet we must not read too quickly, for the last clause of the verse seems to give a clue as to the basis from which he expresses his request.
In 1 John 2, we read of fathers, young men and little children. In verse 13 we read of what characterizes each group. In verses 14-27, specific instruction is given for each group based on their spiritual growth. The word of instruction to the fathers is simply a restatement of their character. Christ is everything to them, and no further instruction is needed. Similarly, the psalmist has not forgotten the law of the Lord. It has become his delight, his sole resource. He has learned through trial what the Lord desired for him. All that awaits is his ultimate deliverance. As we sometimes sing, “And when we’ve learned our lesson, our work in suffering done, our ever-loving Father will welcome every one.” The time of affliction will soon be past. The time for lessons to be learned will one day be over in a moment. May we then learn, through and in the varied afflictions of life, an increased appreciation of the Word of God that will lead us into deeper fellowship with our Lord that we would not otherwise know.
W. Brockmeier