GOD IS GOOD AND WHAT HE DOES IS GOOD

Psalm 119:65-88 / Keywords 119:68

You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.

 

119:65 Do good to your servant

    according to your word, Lord.

66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment,

    for I trust your commands.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,

    but now I obey your word.

68 You are good, and what you do is good;

    teach me your decrees.

69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,

    I keep your precepts with all my heart.

70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,

    but I delight in your law.

71 It was good for me to be afflicted

    so that I might learn your decrees.

72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me

    than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

73 Your hands made me and formed me;

    give me understanding to learn your commands.

74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,

    for I have put my hope in your word.

75 I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,

    and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

76 May your unfailing love be my comfort,

    according to your promise to your servant.

77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live,

    for your law is my delight.

78 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;

    but I will meditate on your precepts.

79 May those who fear you turn to me,

    those who understand your statutes.

80 May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,

    that I may not be put to shame.

81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation,

    but I have put my hope in your word.

82 My eyes fail, looking for your promise;

    I say, “When will you comfort me?”

83 Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,

    I do not forget your decrees.

84 How long must your servant wait?

    When will you punish my persecutors?

85 The arrogant dig pits to trap me,

    contrary to your law.

86 All your commands are trustworthy;

    help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.

87 They almost wiped me from the earth,

    but I have not forsaken your precepts.

88 In your unfailing love preserve my life,

    that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.

1. (65-72) God is good and what he does is good. Sometimes when we stray, we are afflicted in order to learn that obeying God’s way is best. We can pray that God may teach us knowledge and good judgment. Arrogant people are hardhearted. To lovers of God, his word is more precious than gold.

2. (73-80) God made us, and he gives understanding. The psalmist prays that those who fear God may rejoice and turn to God through him. God is faithful and his laws are righteous. May God’s unfailing love and compassion be our comfort. May the arrogant be put to shame for doing wrong.

3. (81-88) The psalmist prays earnestly for deliverance and vindication from persecution. “When will you comfort me? How long must your servant wait? Help me! In your unfailing love preserve my life.” He felt like a dried-up wineskin, but he was confident of God’s promise of salvation.

Prayer Lord, you are good and faithful, and your promises are trustworthy. Teach me good judgment and the right fear of God. May I delight in your word and seek your favor more than riches. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

One Word God is good, and his word is trustworthy