Afflicted Yet Blessed - Dec. 28th, 2025

Passage: Psalm 119:65–72 (Teth)

Central Idea of the Text (CIT): The psalmist testifies that the Lord has dealt well with him, even using affliction to teach him obedience and the preciousness of God’s statutes[1]. (Psalm 119:65–72)

Sermonic Proposition: God is always good to His servants; He even uses our trials to draw us closer to Him and deepen our obedience to His Word.

Statement of Purpose: General: Devotional – to encourage trust in God’s character and love for His Word. Specific: I want my hearers to affirm God’s goodness in every circumstance (even trials) and to treasure His Word above all else as we reflect on God’s dealings at the end of this year.

Introduction

“Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word” (Psalm 119:65 KJV). These are the opening words of the Teth stanza of Psalm 119, a stanza permeated with the theme of goodness. In the Hebrew acrostic, every verse here begins with Teth, and fittingly the Hebrew word for “good” (tov) appears repeatedly: “dealt well (good)” (v.65), “good judgment” (v.66), “Thou art good, and doest good” (v.68), “It is good for me that I have been afflicted” (v.71), and “better [tov] unto me than thousands of gold and silver” (v.72)[1][2]. Clearly, the psalmist is reflecting on the goodness of God not in abstract theory, but as experienced in the ups and downs of life.

Psalm 119 as a whole is a love song to God’s Word, and in this section (verses 65–72) the writer shares a personal testimony of how God’s Word and goodness have proven true in his life. Notably, he confesses that even afflictions were a tool in God’s hand for his benefit. As we gather on this Sunday evening after Christmas, looking back on a year of blessings and trials, this text guides us to let the Scripture itself set the agenda for our reflection. There is no need for a seasonal theme or cliché the Holy Spirit has given us here a rich meditation on God’s faithful dealings.

Imagine the psalmist as an older, wiser servant of the Lord looking back over his life. He can say in summary, “Lord, You have always been good to me, just as You promised.” But he wasn’t always able to see it in the moment; he admits that at one time he went astray and even misjudged God’s ways until God’s discipline taught him otherwise[3][4]. Now, with clearer spiritual vision, he wants even more discernment to appreciate God’s goodness (v.66). This journey from affliction to understanding and from error to obedience is one we too must trace.

As we study this passage, we’ll see four key truths that rise from the text for us today. Each truth is stated in the present tense because the God of David (or the psalmist) has not changed. These principles will encourage us to trust God’s character, embrace His correction, contrast our attitude with the proud, and value His Word supremely.

(Let’s examine these truths one by one, allowing Psalm 119:65–72 to speak to our hearts.)

I. The Lord’s Dealings Are Always Good (Psalm 119:65, 68)

Explanation:

Psalm 119:65 KJV

65 TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.

The psalmist begins with an all-encompassing testimony: “Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word” (v.65[5]).

This is a sweeping statement of God’s goodness and faithfulness. To say God has “dealt well” is to say He has done good to His servant, not just in a few instances, but in everything.

As Charles Spurgeon notes, “He hath done all things well: the rule has no exception. In providence and in grace, in giving prosperity and sending adversity, in everything Jehovah hath dealt well with us”[6].

In other words, all God’s dealings, whether blessings or trials, are ultimately for the good of His servant. God always keeps His promises (“according unto Thy word”), so the psalmist’s life experiences have matched what Scripture assured: God’s character is unchangeably good and His ways are perfectly wise.

Psalm 119:68 KJV

68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.

Verse 68 reinforces this with a direct exaltation of God’s character: “Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.”

Here we see why God’s dealings are good, because God Himself is good in His very nature (Psalm 119:68[7]). Theologically, we understand that God’s goodness means He is benevolent, loving, and kind in all His attributes. He cannot do evil or act unjustly (cf. Psalm 119:137). Everything He does is an expression of that goodness. Even when we don’t understand our circumstances, we can echo the psalmist’s conviction: God is good, all the time; and all that God does is good (cf. Nahum 1:7).

Importantly, the psalmist connects God’s goodness with His Word. In verse 65 he says God dealt well “according to Thy word,” implying God had promised to be good to His servants and fulfilled it[8]. In verse 68, after stating God “does good,” he immediately prays, “teach me thy statutes.” Why? Because God’s Word reflects His character[9]. The psalmist longs to know the statutes of such a good God. He “believed [God’s] commandments” (v.66b), meaning he trusts that God’s commands are right and trustworthy, not burdensome[10]. Thus, he seeks “good judgment and knowledge” (v.66a) so he can better appreciate and follow God’s good ways. In fact, the Hebrew behind “good judgment” carries the idea of good taste or discernment[11][12]. He wants the spiritual taste buds to discern God’s goodness even when it’s disguised in bitter trials. Earlier in life, he admits, he lacked this discernment and “misjudged the chastening hand” of God[3], thinking God harsh. Now having seen the outcome, he prays, “Lord, give me a better mind and heart to recognize Your goodness next time without doubting You[13][4].” This is a humble prayer from one who knows he doesn’t naturally see things as God does.

Illustration: Consider the story of Joseph in Genesis. As a young man, Joseph might have wondered how betrayal by his brothers and years of slavery and imprisonment could possibly be “God dealing well” with him. It certainly didn’t feel good at the time. Yet by the end of his story, Joseph could tell those same brothers, “Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good” (Genesis 50:20). God was at work behind the scenes, through hardship, injustice, and delay, to accomplish a great deliverance and to shape Joseph’s character. In retrospect, Joseph saw that God had dealt well with him according to His promise (just as Psalm 119:65 says), even though it involved painful years. What about us? Many of us, looking back on our lives, can echo the psalmist and Joseph: God has been good to me, far better than I deserve. He saved me, provided for me, answered prayers, gave me strength in trials. Not one word of His promise has failed (Joshua 23:14).

Perhaps the classic example of praise in affliction is Job. Job suffered more loss and pain than we can imagine, yet he ultimately declared, “When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). Job trusted that God’s refining purpose was good, even if he didn’t understand all the reasons. In the end, Job experienced God’s compassionate restoration. Likewise, the psalmist of Psalm 119, after coming through affliction, effectively says, “Lord, You were right and kind all along.” As one Puritan writer put it: “If the children of God did but know what was best for them, they would perceive that God did that which was best for them”[14], in other words, if we truly grasped our situation as God does, we would always nod and say, “Father knows best.”

Application: Do we believe that all the Lord’s dealings with us are good? This is a convicting and comforting truth. It’s easy to praise God’s goodness when life is pleasant, but do we still trust His goodness when we face disappointment, sickness, or conflict? The psalmist provides a model: he confesses God’s goodness even before explaining the hardship he endured. We too should start with the settled conviction that “God is good, all the time.” Preach that to your soul regularly. When a trial comes, instead of immediately questioning God’s character, ask for “good judgment and knowledge” (v.66) to discern His hand at work. In prayer say, “Lord, You have been good and faithful to me in the past; I trust You now in this situation. Teach me what I need to learn, and keep me trusting Your Word.”

At this year’s end, take time to reflect on how God “dealt well” with you this year according to His Word. Perhaps you endured difficulties, can you see hints of how God used them for good? Thank Him for specific blessings and even for hardships that drove you closer to Him. Cultivate that “holy taste” for God’s goodness in all things[12]. And if you struggle to see the good in something painful, don’t pretend to enjoy the pain itself, but affirm by faith that God’s purposes are good. As the hymn says, “Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace; / Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face.” Trust that one day you will testify like the psalmist: “LORD, You have dealt well with Your servant.”

Transition to Point 2:

However, the psalmist wasn’t always so confident about God’s goodness. He now reveals that there was a “before” and “after” in his life. How did he gain such discernment? The answer might surprise us: it came through affliction. Sometimes we only learn of God’s faithful goodness when we pass through the fires of trial. This leads us to the second truth:

II. God Teaches Us Through Afflictions (Psalm 119:67, 71)

Psalm 119:67 KJV

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

Explanation: In verse 67 the psalmist makes a vulnerable admission: “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word”[15]. Here we glimpse the psalmist’s past waywardness. At some point, he “went astray,” perhaps drifting into disobedience or complacency, and God allowed or brought affliction into his life as a corrective measure. The result? “But now I have kept Thy word.” The affliction accomplished its sanctifying purpose. It was a turning point that brought the psalmist back into obedience.

He is essentially saying, “I needed that discipline. Lord, I’m living in line with Your Word now, but I admit I had to learn the hard way.”

Psalm 119:71 KJV

71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

He reiterates and expands this lesson in verse 71: “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” What a remarkable statement! Far from resenting his troubles, the psalmist actually thanks God for them. “It is good for me that I was afflicted.” Why? Because through the affliction he “learned” God’s statutes in a way he hadn’t before[16].

The word “learn” here implies gaining understanding, experiencing firsthand the truth and value of God’s commands. Some lessons sink in only when taught in the school of suffering. The psalmist essentially testifies that his affliction was a wake-up call and a teacher that drove him deeper into God’s Word and ways.

Let’s be clear: the affliction itself wasn’t pleasant. The writer isn’t portraying a masochistic love of pain. He’s speaking after the fact, recognizing the beneficial outcome of his hardship. Hebrews 12:11 echoes this: “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby”[17]. In the moment, discipline hurts; afterward, it produces righteous fruit. That’s exactly the psalmist’s testimony. While he was “under the rod,” he may have chafed (he even admits he had misjudged God’s dealings before gaining wisdom[3]). But looking back, he sees the “excellent uses of adversity,” it kept him from straying and taught him to obey[1].

Charles Spurgeon beautifully captures this truth: “Even though the affliction came from bad men, it was overruled for good ends… It benefited him in many ways, and he knew it… Our worst is better for us than the sinner’s best. It is bad for sinners to rejoice, and good for saints to sorrow. A thousand benefits have come to us through our pains and griefs, and among the rest is this — that we have thus been schooled in the law”[18]. In God’s sovereignty, He can take what evil or broken people inflict and turn it into a refining tool for our good (cf. Romans 8:28). The psalmist experienced exactly that. “If we would be scholars we must be sufferers,” Spurgeon goes on to say; “God’s commands are best read by eyes wet with tears.”[19]. In other words, there is a depth of understanding God’s Word that comes when we have been through trials with that Word as our comfort. Experience can be a stern but effective teacher.

The psalmist also contrasts how affliction affected him versus how prosperity affects the wicked. In verse 70 (which we’ll examine more in the next point) he notes, “Their heart is as fat as grease,” an image of dullness and senselessness, which is often the result of ease and pride. By contrast, his affliction kept him from that spiritual heart disease and taught him dependence on God’s statutes[20][21]. We might say pain made him pliable, whereas pride would have made him numb. Truly, “Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of Thy law” (Psalm 94:12). Affliction and Scripture went hand in hand in the psalmist’s renewal.

Illustration: The Bible is replete with examples of God teaching His people through afflictions. One striking example is King Manasseh of Judah. Manasseh was one of the most wayward, idolatrous kings in Israel’s history. He “went astray” big time, leading the nation into idolatry and sin (2 Chronicles 33:1-9). God then allowed the Assyrians to capture Manasseh and drag him off with hooks and chains to Babylon, a severe affliction indeed (2 Chr. 33:10-11). But here is the amazing part: “When he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly… and [God] was entreated of him” (2 Chr. 33:12-13 KJV[22][23]). In his distress, proud Manasseh finally cried out to God for help. That painful exile became the turning point of his life. He returned to Jerusalem a changed man, casting away idols and restoring true worship. Manasseh could have written verse 71 himself: “It was good for me that I was afflicted, for then I learned God’s ways.” His prison in Babylon became “a better school than his palace in Jerusalem,” as one commentator noted[24]. How ironic that chains and distress produced a freedom in Manasseh’s soul that prosperity never did!

Think also of the Prodigal Son in Jesus’ parable (Luke 15:11-24). Before affliction, that young man went astray, squandering his inheritance in sin. It was only when he hit rock bottom, hungry, humiliated, tending pigs, that “he came to himself” and decided to return to his father. The hardship broke his pride and taught him the value of home. In a similar way, our heavenly Father sometimes allows us to experience the bitterness of our choices or the trials of life so that we “come to ourselves” spiritually and run back to Him. We often learn more in the valley than on the mountaintop.

Even our Lord Jesus Christ, though He was sinless, is said to have learned obedience through suffering (Hebrews 5:8). That doesn’t mean He was ever disobedient, but in His humanity He experienced the cost of obedience by the things He suffered. He fully entered our human condition and demonstrated perfect trust in the Father under trial. If the very Son of God walked the path of suffering to fulfill God’s will, should we expect to be exempt? Jesus told us that as disciples we would have a cross to carry (Luke 9:23), yet that cross-bearing leads to resurrection power and glory.

Application: Friends, how do we respond to affliction or discipline from the Lord? The psalmist models a teachable, humble heart. At first, he had gone astray, but affliction brought him back. Rather than growing bitter, he grew better. Do we allow our hardships to drive us to God’s Word or away from it? Hebrews 12:5-6 urges us not to despise the chastening of the Lord, nor to faint under it, because it’s proof that God loves us as sons. When trials strike, we should ask, “Lord, what are You teaching me through this? Increase my discernment (as v.66 says) so I don’t miss the lesson. Correct my course where I’ve strayed. Make me more obedient and Christlike through this.”

It requires faith to say, “This affliction is good for me.” Maybe you’re going through a trial right now, a health crisis, financial struggle, relational pain, or spiritual dryness. At present, it’s not joyous but grievous. Yet the promise of Scripture is that if you are trained by it, it will yield a peaceable fruit of righteousness (Heb. 12:11[17]). You will come out the other side with a deeper grasp of God’s faithfulness, a more solid obedience, maybe a testimony that can help others. Many mature Christians can look back and say, “I hated that trial while it happened, but I wouldn’t trade what I learned from it for anything. It drove me to my knees; it drove me to the Word; it stripped away my pride and brought me closer to God.”

If you cannot yet see any good from your affliction, take heart and trust that God is not done working. “All things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28), not that all things are good, but they work for good by God’s power. You may not get an answer to “Why?” in every case, but you can trust God’s heart.

Remember, in the soil of adversity, God often plants the seeds of greater devotion. So instead of resenting affliction, we can learn to embrace God’s discipline as a gift. “Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:4).

One practical step: recall a past trial and identify how it changed you spiritually. Did you pray more fervently? Did Scripture suddenly become your lifeline? Did you develop empathy or humility you lacked? Acknowledge God’s hand in that. And if you’re currently in the fire, lean into God’s Word like never before, read the Psalms, claim His promises, remain in fellowship. Don’t waste your affliction by becoming hard-hearted; instead, say with the psalmist, “Lord, teach me through this. I believe Your commandments; I trust Your goodness.” In time, you too will say, “It’s good that I was afflicted, I know my Lord better now.”

Transition to Point 3: Not everyone responds to trials and God’s Word the way this psalmist did. He contrasts his humble, teachable attitude with that of the proud who oppose him. This brings us to a third insight from the passage, a contrast of hearts. We’ve seen the psalmist’s devoted heart, but what about those who reject God’s ways?

III. Pride Hardens the Heart, but the Humble Delight in God’s Word (Psalm 119:69–70)

Psalm 119:69 KJV

69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

Explanation: In verses 69–70 the psalmist describes opposition he faced: “The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.”

Here we see a clear contrast between two kinds of hearts, the proud heart and the pious (godly) heart, and how they respond to God’s Word.

Who are “the proud” in this context? They are those arrogant, self-satisfied people who have no regard for God’s Word or for His servant. They not only reject God’s statutes, they actively oppose the psalmist with false accusations (“forged a lie against me”). Perhaps these are ungodly critics or even religious hypocrites jealous of the psalmist’s devotion. Pride often leads to persecuting the faithful; it cannot stand a rebuke by someone’s righteous life. We see this throughout Scripture, for example, the proud officials in Daniel’s day concocted a law to trap Daniel because they resented his godliness, effectively “forging a lie” that praying to God was treason (Daniel 6:4-9). Or think of the Pharisees in Jesus’ time, whose proud hearts led them to spread lies about Jesus and His followers. Pride puts self on the throne and will attack anyone or anything that challenges its supremacy.

The psalmist’s response is exemplary: “But I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart” (v.69b).

Despite the lies and smears, he is determined not to deviate from God’s Word. He doesn’t seek revenge or fall into despair; instead, he doubles down on wholehearted obedience. This shows a humble, steadfast heart before God. He cares more about God’s approval than man’s applause. By holding fast to God’s precepts in the face of slander, the psalmist demonstrates true humility and loyalty. His character is the polar opposite of the proud.

Psalm 119:70 KJV

70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.

Verse 70 uses a vivid metaphor: “Their heart is as fat as grease.”

This phrase paints a picture of spiritual insensitivity. Just as an overfed body might become sluggish, a “fat heart” implies a heart dulled by indulgence and pride. In Hebrew idiom, fatness could symbolize prosperity and sensuous living (cf. Psalm 17:10, “They are enclosed in their own fat, with their mouth they speak proudly”). These people have gorged themselves on worldly pleasures or self-importance to the point that they have no appetite for spiritual truth. A layer of fat (figuratively speaking) has calloused their heart. They are unfeeling toward God’s Word, it doesn’t penetrate. Pride has a way of making us resistant to conviction; we become puffed up and, ironically, malnourished in soul. As Sir James Bennett observed, the psalmist seems to contrast those living self-indulgently (fat, dull, like beasts) with those who run in the way of God’s commands, delighting to do His will[25][26]. The proud are “fat and sleek” in the eyes of the world, but spiritually they are on the verge of heart failure.

By contrast, the psalmist says, “but I delight in thy law” (v.70b).

What a different heart! Instead of being dull and insensitive, his heart thrills at God’s Word. He finds joy and pleasure in the commandments of God. Notice that his delight is not mere duty; it’s heartfelt and wholehearted (as v.69b indicated). The word “delight” implies affection. This man genuinely loves what God has to say. Far from feeling it a burden, he finds it sweeter than honey (Psalm 119:103) and more precious than gold (v.72). Humility and delight in God’s Word go hand in hand, a humble person recognizes his need for God’s instruction and rejoices in it. The proud think they know better or don’t need God; the humble tremble at His Word (Isaiah 66:2) and find it life-giving.

It’s also implied that affliction played a role here. The proud likely had no affliction to wake them up, they grew “fat” in easy living and pride. The psalmist did experience affliction and thus learned to delight in God’s Word. Prosperity without God can breed pride and apathy; adversity with God can breed devotion and zeal. The two “hearts” in verse 70 illustrate this truth by stark contrast. As Spurgeon noted, “To be larded by prosperity, is not good for the proud; but for the truth to be learned by adversity is good for the humble”[27]. One heart got “larded” (greased up) and lost feeling; the other heart was refined by adversity and gained a deeper delight in truth.

Illustration: The Bible gives many examples of pride dulling the heart versus humility delighting in truth. One example is the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:17. The Laodiceans said of themselves, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” In reality, Jesus says, “and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Their self-satisfied pride (“fat” hearts) blinded them to their true spiritual need. They had no hunger for God’s riches because they were stuffed with worldly wealth and complacency. By contrast, consider the Bereans in Acts 17:11, described as noble and humble, “in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily.” They delighted in God’s Word, eagerly digging in to verify the truth, because their hearts were open and teachable.

We also see the contrast in the Gospels: The Pharisees were proud, often characterized as having hard hearts (Mark 3:5), they had Scripture knowledge but no delight in the true intent of God’s Word, and so they became callous, even plotting against Jesus (forging lies, as it were). Meanwhile, the humble disciples and seekers (like the fishermen, the tax collectors, or Mary who sat at Jesus’ feet) hung on Jesus’ words and rejoiced in them. Mary of Bethany “delighted” to sit and hear Jesus’ teaching, and He said she chose the “good part” which would not be taken from her (Luke 10:39-42). The Pharisees’ hearts were “fat” with pride and self-righteousness, causing them to hate the Word made flesh; Mary’s heart was hungry and humble, causing her to love every word from the Lord.

In church history, think of how revivals often come among humble, desperate people rather than the proud religious elite. The Welsh Revival of 1904, for instance, began among humble coal miners praying fervently; their hearts delighted in God’s Word and presence, while many learned clergy initially scoffed. Or consider how often persecuted underground churches are fervent and joyful in Scripture, while churches in comfortable societies can grow lukewarm. Persecution and hardship have a way of stripping away pride and making God’s Word extremely precious, believers in restricted countries will risk their lives to obtain a Bible, treasuring its pages. Meanwhile, in places where Bibles are abundant and life is easy, many hardly read it. These real-world examples underline what the psalmist is saying: pride deadens spiritual appetite; humility (often forged through trials) sharpens it.

Application: We must each ask: Which heart describes me? Am I among “the proud” with a fat, dull heart, or among the humble who delight in God’s law with all my heart? It’s sobering because pride can creep in subtly. One sign of a “fat” heart is that Scripture no longer moves or excites you. Perhaps you find it boring or you think you know it all. Maybe you’re more passionate about your own opinions, or about worldly pursuits (money, entertainment, self-image), than about God’s Word. If so, beware, pride may be hardening your heart. The proud person hears the Word but it bounces off the thick callus of his heart. Jesus often said, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Pride stops up the ears; humility opens them.

On the other hand, the humble servant comes to God’s Word eagerly, saying, “Lord, teach me! I need You. Your Word is my delight and counselor.” We see the psalmist’s attitude in phrases like “teach me thy statutes” (v.68) and his wholehearted obedience in the face of lies (v.69). A humble heart clings to Scripture even when under attack, whereas a proud heart shrugs it off or uses it as an academic exercise. If you find your heart has grown cold or indifferent to the Bible, pray for God to soften it. Sometimes we may even need to pray, “Lord, if I have grown dull, do whatever it takes, even affliction, to wake me up.” That’s a hard prayer, but the psalmist essentially said his affliction was what renewed his delight in God’s statutes.

Practically, cultivating humility means consciously rejecting self-sufficiency. Acknowledge that you haven’t “arrived,” that you depend on God daily. James 4:6 reminds us God “resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” We certainly don’t want God resisting us! So humble yourself by, for instance, approaching Scripture in prayer: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law” (Psalm 119:18). Don’t read the Bible to check a box or to prop up your own ideas; read it to hear from God, ready to obey. Humility also shows in how we handle criticism or correction, the proud person dismisses any correction (like those proud enemies lying about the psalmist), but the humble person listens and filters it through God’s Word.

Also, guard against the “fatness” of worldly indulgence. We live in a society of excess, entertainment, food, comforts, you name it. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying God’s blessings, but if we constantly glut ourselves on earthly things and neglect feeding on Scripture, our hearts will grow sluggish toward God. It’s analogous to eating junk food and losing taste for healthy food. Why delight in Scripture if our mind is always distracted by the next show, the next shopping spree, or swelling with self-importance? Sometimes we may need to “trim the fat”, perhaps literally with fasting or figuratively by cutting back on distractions, to restore spiritual appetite.

Finally, delighting in God’s Word is a choice and discipline as well as an emotion. The more you invest time in the Word, the more your delight will grow. “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:21). If you treat the Word as treasure, your heart will delight in it. The psalmist had obviously spent much time in Scripture (Psalm 119 has 176 verses of devotion to it!), so his delight was deep. We too can pray for and cultivate such delight. For example, start or end each day this coming year with a nourishing portion of Scripture. As you read, remind yourself, “This is better than gold. This is God’s love letter and wisdom for me.” Over time, your heart will incline more and more to love it.

In short, let’s reject pride and pursue a humble, receptive heart. The world may forge lies against us or label us “foolish” for clinging to an ancient book, but like the psalmist, we resolve: “I will keep God’s precepts with my whole heart.” We may not control what others say or do, but we can control our response, by God’s grace, it will be faithful and humble. Our delight in God’s Word will be a powerful testimony in contrast to the apathetic, pride-hardened hearts around us.

Transition to Point 4: The final verse of this stanza (v.72) brings us to a climactic declaration that perfectly fits the psalmist’s theme: he values God’s Word above the greatest earthly riches. Having seen God’s goodness, having been schooled by affliction, and having chosen humble obedience over pride, he proclaims the supreme worth of Scripture. This leads to our final point:

IV. God’s Word Is Our Most Precious Treasure (Psalm 119:72)

Psalm 119:72 KJV

72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

Explanation: Psalm 119:72 reads, “The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.”

Here the psalmist sums up his evaluation of God’s Word: it is of incomparable value, better than heaps of gold and silver. Notice the tender phrase “the law of Thy mouth.” This isn’t a distant, dry code; it’s as if God personally spoke these words (indeed He did!). Scripture is the very utterance of God’s mouth, breathed out by Him (2 Timothy 3:16). That makes it priceless, because what could be more valuable than words from the Creator and Redeemer Himself? No amount of earthly wealth can equal one whisper from God’s lips.

The psalmist says “thousands of gold and silver”, picture rooms filled with gold bars and piles of silver coins, an unimaginable treasure by worldly standards. To him, God’s Word is worth even more[28]. This is a consistent theme in Scripture. Earlier in Psalm 119, he said, “I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches” (Psalm 119:14). And in Psalm 19:10, David declared God’s judgments to be “more to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey…”. Job, in the midst of his suffering, proclaimed, “I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). All these verses harmonize: God’s Word is the believer’s treasure.

Why is God’s Word “better” than material wealth? Because wealth cannot buy what the Word of God gives. Riches can buy comfort, pleasure, or influence for a time, but they cannot buy salvation, peace of conscience, wisdom, or eternal life. Gold and silver are perishable, they remain here when we die, and even in this life they can rust, be stolen, or lose value. But the Word of God endures forever (1 Peter 1:24-25), and its value never depreciates. “Forever, O LORD, Thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). Moreover, worldly wealth can be dangerous, it can breed the fat-hearted pride we just discussed, if one trusts in riches. But God’s Word sanctifies and guides us safely. It teaches us contentment whether we have little or much. It promises us an inheritance incorruptible in Christ. Truly, one promise of Scripture is worth more than all the banks of the world. For example, what sum of money could equal the value of John 3:16 to a sinner’s soul? Or the comfort of Psalm 23 in a dark valley? You could offer a dying man a million dollars or a single verse of hope, which will do more for him? The psalmist knows the answer.

It’s likely that the lessons of life (including affliction) have proven to the psalmist that God’s Word outshines earthly treasure. Perhaps when he was younger or when things were easy, he might have been tempted by worldly gain. But now, having seen God’s faithfulness, having experienced the sustaining power of Scripture in trials, and having witnessed the emptiness of what the proud pursue, he is utterly convinced: “Give me God’s Word over gold any day.” When he was afflicted and slandered, it wasn’t gold that revived him, it was God’s promises. When he needed guidance, silver couldn’t buy it, but God’s law gave him wisdom. Verse 72 calling Scripture “better” than gold also hearkens to the Hebrew letter Teth again, tov (good, better). God’s Word is goodness incarnate in written form, worth more than the best this world can offer.

We should clarify that “the law” here (Hebrew torah) doesn’t just mean legal rules; it refers to all God’s instruction, His revealed truth. And every bit of it is precious. Sometimes people only value certain parts of Scripture, but the psalmist says all of it, all 66 (in our case) Spirit-inspired books, all the teachings, commands, promises, collectively are a treasure trove. There are “thousands” of gold and silver pieces, and in like manner there are thousands of insights and truths in God’s Word, each enriching the soul.

Illustration: History gives us many examples of believers who literally chose the Bible over riches. One famous story is that of Mary Jones, a Welsh girl in the year 1800. Mary was so desperate to have a Bible of her own (in her Welsh language) that she saved money for six years and, at age 15, walked 26 miles barefoot across the countryside just to buy a copy of Scripture[29][30]. Imagine a teenage girl valuing the Word of God so highly that she’d sacrifice comfort and treasure it above any material possession! Her precious Bible became her prize. Mary Jones’ passion helped inspire the founding of the British and Foreign Bible Society, which would go on to distribute God’s Word worldwide. Her story echoes verse 72, for her, the law of God’s mouth was far better than anything money could buy.

Think also of missionaries and martyrs who gave up wealth, security, and even life itself for the sake of sharing or keeping God’s Word. William Tyndale, for instance, risked and ultimately lost his life to translate the Bible into English so common people could have the Scriptures. He could have lived a safer life as a scholar, but he considered God’s Word worth that sacrifice. Jim Elliot, missionary to Ecuador, famously said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim and his friends gave their lives (which they couldn’t ultimately keep anyway) to spread the gospel (which yields treasure in heaven). They valued the advance of God’s Word and kingdom above life and comfort.

On a biblical note, consider Moses: Hebrews 11:26 says Moses regarded “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt, for he looked to the reward.” Moses turned his back on Egyptian gold and glory because he treasured God’s calling and promises more. Or think of Psalm 73:25, “Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee.” Ultimately, the reason God’s Word is so valuable is because through it we have God Himself. It reveals His mind, His heart, and it draws us into relationship with Him. God is the ultimate treasure, and His Word is the map that guides us to Him and the goldmine that contains nuggets of truth about Him.

Application: How much do we value the Word of God? It’s easy to say “Amen” that the Bible is more precious than gold, but our actual habits and choices reveal our true values. Ask yourself: Would I trade my Bible (or access to Scripture) for a large sum of money? What if someone offered you $100,000 to give up reading the Bible for a year, would you do it? (We might quickly say no, but consider what it implies if we sometimes neglect the Bible for free!) The psalmist challenges us to evaluate our priorities. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Do we really live like that is true?

In practical terms, treasuring God’s Word means we treat time in Scripture as a non-negotiable necessity and joy, not as an optional luxury. Job said he esteemed God’s words more than his food, maybe that suggests we should be as regular in Scripture as we are in meals! It might mean memorizing verses to carry with us, as treasures hidden in our heart (Psalm 119:11). It certainly means obeying the Word, for what value is it to claim to treasure God’s Word but then ignore its instructions? The psalmist not only likes the Scripture, he lives it (“I keep Thy precepts”). To treasure is also to trust, trusting God’s promises above worldly assurances. For example, the world might say, “Financial security is your hope,” but the Word says, “God shall supply all your need” (Phil. 4:19). Treasuring the Word means I rest on that promise more than on my bank account.

We should also guard against subtle ways we might show we value other things above the Word. Do we spend far more time scrolling our phones or watching news/entertainment than we ever do reading the Bible? The time and attention we give can indicate what we value. What about when a life decision comes up, do we first seek counsel from Scripture or do we lean on worldly wisdom? If God’s Word is truly our treasure, we will consult it readily and esteem its counsel above all.

Here at the close of the year, a very concrete application is to commit to a plan of engaging God’s Word in the new year. Perhaps read through the Bible in a year, or focus on a book to study deeply, or join a Bible study group. Show by your intentionality that you prize the Scriptures. If you’ve never read Psalm 119 in its entirety, that could be a great project, it will ignite your love for God’s testimonies. As you read, pray verse 72 and others: “Lord, make this true in my heart. Let me see the beauty and value of Your Word.”

Also, consider your attitude when the Word is preached or taught. Do you tune out after a few minutes, or are you like those Bereans, eagerly taking it in? If God’s Word is better than gold, then Sundays (or any time the Word is opened) should feel like we’re entering a treasure vault, excited to gather as much spiritual gold dust as we can! Come with expectancy and gratitude that we get to hear from God.

Finally, remember that treasuring the Word leads us to the greatest treasure of all, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Living Word, the fulfillment of Scripture. All the Bible points to Him, the One “in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). When we dive into Scripture, we are really seeking to know Christ more, His character, His work, His will. And knowing Him is eternal life (John 17:3), far surpassing any earthly riches. So when we say “the law of Thy mouth is better to me than gold,” ultimately we are saying, “Lord, You and Your truth are my treasure.” That kind of heart cannot be ultimately impoverished, no matter one’s bank account or trials, because it holds the eternal riches of grace.

In summary, let’s each affirm: “Lord, Your Word is my delight and my treasure. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Thank You for speaking to us; help me to value and obey Your every word.”

Conclusion

As we close our meditation on Psalm 119:65–72, let’s recap the journey we’ve seen in this Teth stanza and in our own hearts:

God’s Dealings Are Always Good: The Lord has never failed us. In all His ways, pleasant or painful, He has been good and faithful[31]. We choose to trust His character and thank Him for His providence, “for He hath done all things well.”

God Teaches Us Through Afflictions: We acknowledge that some of the most valuable lessons in our spiritual life have come through hardship. Like the psalmist, we can say, “Before, I was astray, but affliction brought me back to Your path.” We don’t ask for suffering, but we do ask that whenever God allows it, we won’t waste it. We’ll let it drive us deeper into God’s Word and make us more like Christ. Indeed, “Saints are great gainers by affliction”, coming forth as gold refined[32].

Pride Hardens, Humility Delights: We see the warning of the “fat” proud heart and choose instead the way of the humble. By God’s grace, we will keep His precepts wholeheartedly, even if the world lies about us or mocks us. We will delight in God’s law and remain teachable. We resolve to never let prosperity or pride make us spiritually numb. If we’ve grown cold, we repent and ask God to soften our hearts so we may feel again the joy of His Word.

God’s Word Is Our Treasure: We declare the Scriptures to be our most cherished possession. All the gold and silver of Earth can’t compare to the wisdom, comfort, and salvation God’s Word gives us. We will treat our Bibles not as ornaments or mere books, but as the very voice of God. We’ll strive to read, meditate, memorize, and live out its truth daily. And we’ll share this treasure with others, as it is far too valuable to keep to ourselves.

Brothers and sisters, as the first Sunday after Christmas and the threshold of a new year, this is a perfect moment to reflect and realign. We have spent time giving and receiving temporal gifts, but here in Psalm 119:65–72 we are pointed to gifts of far greater worth: God’s goodness, God’s discipline (yes, even that is a gift), and God’s Word. How will we respond? Will we, like the psalmist, praise God for His goodness, even for the tough times that shaped us? Will we submit to His loving correction, allowing trials to make us more holy rather than bitter? Will we reject pride and embrace humility, delighting in God’s truth more than the fleeting pleasures of sin? And will we treasure the Word in this coming year, making it our priority and joy?

Imagine the impact on our families and church if each of us truly lives out these principles. We would be a people of deep gratitude (no grumbling against God’s providence), a people of resilience in trials (learning rather than despairing), a people of winsome holiness (humble and joyful, not hard-hearted or hypocritical), and a people saturated with Scripture (growing in wisdom and love, equipped for every good work). That is my prayer for us. The world needs to see Christians who can say with sincerity, “God has dealt well with me, He is good all the time,” and whose lives reflect the peace and stability that come from anchoring in God’s Word.

Perhaps you realize that you haven’t valued God or His Word as you should. The wonderful news is that through Jesus Christ, we have grace and hope to change. Jesus, the Living Word, embodies all the goodness of God. He took the ultimate affliction, the cross, for our sakes, accomplishing our salvation (Isaiah 53: affliction brought us peace). In Him, all God’s dealings with us are transformed into goodness, for He bore the wrath and gives us the blessing. In Christ, the proud can be forgiven and transformed into humble, devoted disciples. No matter how spiritually apathetic or astray you may have been, Christ extends mercy and a renewed heart. He invites you to take His yoke (His teaching) upon you and learn of Him, for He is “meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). What a contrast to the proud! Jesus is gentle and humble, and as we learn from Him, we find rest for our souls.

So, let’s end this service and year on a note of hope in God’s Word. The final verse we studied, Psalm 119:72, elevates Scripture above gold. Remember Jesus’ own words: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Kingdoms will rise and fall, trends will come and go, our very years on earth will eventually end, but the Word of our God stands forever, and His goodness endures continually. That means every promise you cling to in Scripture is secure. Every command of God you obey is meaningful. Every story in the Word that gives you hope is eternally true. When you build your life on the rock of God’s Word, you can face any storm.

As we step into 2026, we do not know what it holds, joys or sorrows, prosperity or adversity. But we do know our God is good and does good. We know that if afflictions come, they come through the hands of a loving Father who will teach us and bring good out of them. We know that pride is a pitfall we must avoid, choosing instead the lowly road of delighting in God above self. And we know that whatever the year brings, we have an unfailing treasure in the Scriptures to guide, comfort, and enrich us.

Let’s determine in our hearts that, come what may, we will say with the psalmist: “Lord, You have dealt well with Your servants according to Your Word. Teach us good judgment and knowledge. It is good for us that we have been afflicted, that we might learn Your statutes. Your Word from Your mouth is better to us than thousands of gold and silver. We delight in Your law, and we will keep Your precepts with our whole heart.”

Call to Action: As an act of response, I invite you this week to do two things. First, write down one trial from your past (perhaps this past year) and beside it write what God taught you or how He showed His goodness through it. Thank Him for that “affliction” and the good that came from it. Share that testimony with someone to encourage them. Second, set a specific plan for your intake of God’s Word in the new year, whether it’s a reading plan, a study group, or a daily devotional time, something tangible that says “I treasure the Word.” Tell a friend or spouse about it for accountability. Let’s be doers of the Word, not hearers only.

Finally, take comfort: The same God who led the psalmist through all these experiences will lead you. The stanza began with “Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD,” it ends with the servant treasuring God’s Word. That is the trajectory we want: looking back, seeing God’s hand; looking forward, clinging to God’s Word. His goodness and His Word will never fail you. As we end in prayer, let’s echo another verse from this psalm (v.90): “Thy faithfulness is unto all generations.” The God who was faithful to David, to the psalmist, to our forefathers, will be faithful to us and to our children. With that unshakable hope, we step into the future with joy.

Let’s pray together, thanking God for His goodness and asking Him to cement these truths in our hearts…

[33][18]

HYPERLINK "https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/tod/ps119_065-072.cfm" \l ":~:text=In%20this%20ninth%20section%20the,text%20of%20the%20entire%20octave" \h[1] [3] [4] [6] [8] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [18] [19] [20] [21] [24] [25] [26] [27] [31] [32] [33] Psalm 119 Verses 65-72 by C. H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/tod/ps119_065-072.cfm

[2] [9] Psalm 119:65-72 Bible Study with Discussion Questions

https://studyandobey.com/inductive-bible-study/psalm-119-studies/psalm119-65-72/

[5] [7] [15] [16] [28] Psalm 119:65-75 KJV - "TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LOR..." | Bible Study Tools

https://www.biblestudytools.com/kjv/psalms/passage/?q=psalm+119:65-75

[17] Hebrews 12:11 KJV - "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be jo..." | Bible Study Tools

https://www.biblestudytools.com/kjv/hebrews/12-11.html

[22] [23] 2 Chronicles 33:12 And in his distress, Manasseh sought the favor of the LORD his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his fathers.

https://biblehub.com/2_chronicles/33-12.htm

[29] [30] Mary Jones and her Bible - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Jones_and_her_Bible