Psalms 119:67

67 ¹Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.

Psalms 119:67 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 119:67

Before I was afflicted, I went astray
From God; from his word, his ways and worship; like a lost sheep from the shepherd, the fold, the flock, and the footsteps of it; see ( Psalms 119:176 ) ; Not that he wilfully, wickedly, maliciously, and through contempt, departed from his God; this he denies, ( Psalms 18:21 ) ; but through the weakness of the flesh, the prevalence of corruption, and force of temptation, and very much through a careless, heedless, and negligent frame of spirit, he got out of the right way, and wandered from it before he was well aware. The word is used of erring through ignorance, ( Leviticus 5:18 ) ; this was in a time of prosperity, when, though he might not, like Jeshurun, wax fat and kick, and forsake and lightly esteem the Rock of his salvation; or fall into temptations and harmful lusts, and err from the faith, and be pierced with many sorrows, as too much love of the world brings men into; yet he might become inattentive to the duties of religion, and be negligent of them, which is a common case;

but now have I kept thy word:
having been afflicted with outward and inward afflictions, afflictions of body and mind; afflictions in person, in family and estate; afflictions in soul, through indwelling sin, the temptations of Satan, and the hidings of God's face: all this brought him back again to God, to his word, ways, and worship; he betook himself to reading and hearing the word, if he might find any thing to relieve and comfort him under his trials; he observed the doctrines of grace in it, and kept the precepts of it, and walked in all the commandments and ordinances of it, being restored by afflictions.

Psalms 119:67 In-Context

65 You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD , according to Your word.

66 Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Your commandments.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.

68 You are good and do good; Teach me Your statutes.

69 The arrogant have forged a lie against me; With all my heart I will observe Your precepts.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 119:71, 75; Jeremiah 31:18, 19; Hebrews 12:5-11