“Thou hast dealt well with thy servant,” are the opening words of the next passage in Psalm 119. This is followed by a desire of the Psalmist to be taught good judgment and knowledge from the word of God. “Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.” (verses 65 and 66)
Affliction caused the Psalmist to be drawn to the word of God. Because of this, he expressed his conviction that God is good and does good. “67) Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. 68) Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.” (verses 67 and 68)
Affliction helped to keep the Psalmist from having a prideful heart. He said, “69) The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. 70) Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.” (verses 69 and 70) The proud believe in lies and try to hurt others. Their delight is in worldly satisfaction, but the heart of the one who seeks God delights in His law.
Affliction made the word of God seem more precious and valuable to the Psalmist. “71) It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. 72) The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.” (verses 71 and 72) Now that the Psalmist was afflicted and did not have the other joys and satisfactions of life, he longed after God’s word. The affliction allowed him to learn more of God’s word and caused it to be more precious to him than gold and silver.
Even when I am afflicted God is good because it is His way of turning my eyes from worldly desires and satisfactions and turning them to His word. It should cause His word to be my delight and my treasure.