God Is Good · Day 3
Psalms 119:65-72 — a devotion
Psalms 119
- 65여호와여 주의 말씀대로 주의 종을 선대하셨나이다Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.You have treated your servant well, according to your word, LORD.
- 66내가 주의 계명을 믿었사오니 명철과 지식을 내게 가르치소서Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
- 67고난 당하기 전에는 내가 그릇 행하였더니 이제는 주의 말씀을 지키나이다Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.
- 68주는 선하사 선을 행하시오니 주의 율례로 나를 가르치소서Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.
- 69교만한 자가 거짓을 지어 나를 치려 하였사오나 나는 전심으로 주의 법도를 지키리이다The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.
- 70저희 마음은 살쪄 지방 같으나 나는 주의 법을 즐거워하나이다Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law.
- 71고난 당한 것이 내게 유익이라 이로 인하여 내가 주의 율례를 배우게 되었나이다It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.
- 72주의 입의 법이 내게는 천천 금은보다 승하니이다The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. YODH
KJV and World English Bible — Public Domain · 개역한글 ⓒ Korean Bible Society
Background
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, with all 176 verses meditating on the word of God. It is built from stanzas of eight verses each, every stanza beginning with one of the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Verses 65-72 form the ninth stanza, the letter 'Teth,' and the key word that begins with this letter is 'tov' (good). The author of this psalm is traditionally thought to be David, though this is not certain. What is clear is that the author holds fast to the word of God even while experiencing suffering and persecution. This stanza is where the two themes of suffering and God's goodness meet, showing how faith grows in the midst of adversity.
Reflection questions: 1. Has there been a time when God's word felt more precious to you as you passed through a hard season? 2. What does it concretely look like to trust in God's goodness in the midst of suffering? 3. Where in your life right now is God leading you 'according to His good word'?
Today's reflection
Psalm 119:65-72 is the 'Teth' stanza of the Hebrew alphabet. The key word of this section is 'good' (tov), and it begins in verse 65: 'You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your word.' The psalmist connects God's goodness with His word. Because God is good, His word is also good, and to act according to that word is good as well — that is the confession here.
An interesting turn takes place in verses 67-68: 'Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. You are good and do good.' The psalmist confesses that through suffering he came to know God's goodness more deeply. This does not mean that suffering itself is good; rather, it is a trust that even in times of affliction God guides us by His word.
Verses 71-72 are the conclusion: 'It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.' God's goodness does not give only smooth paths. Sometimes it is also God's goodness to lead us into deeper places through hard times. Even in the difficulty you are facing right now, God is working out His good purpose.
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