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It will be as well that we have a correct idea of the meaning of the word affliction, so
that the fullest blessing may be received from the Word of truth. Without providing any
lengthy proof, we suggest that the word translated "afflict" bears the thought of being
"humbled". It is translated "poor" in many passages, notably in the Psalms. The
following will suffice our present needs in the matter of proof:
"Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years
in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart,
whether thou wouldest keep His commandment or no" (Deut. 8: 2).
The parallel here with Psa. 119: 67 and 71 is close, both the passages referring to
"keeping" or "leaving" the Word of the Lord.
"But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me" (Psa. 40: 17).
Here the word is translated "poor", and is associated with the word "needy".
Doubtless we have called to mind the words of the Sermon on the Mount, in which
blessedness is said to belong to the "poor in spirit", to them that "mourn", to the "meek"
and to the "persecuted" (Matt. 5: 3-12). In each case there is an "afterwards" as we saw
in our last article.
Before the Psalmist said: "It is good for me that I have been afflicted", he exclaimed,
"Thou art good" (verse 68), and further, "and doest good". He had prayed: "Teach me
good judgment and knowledge", which is not learned without a measure of experience--
often in the school of affliction.
Not only do we find in this stanza references to that which is "good", but also "well"
and "better".
"Thou hast dealt well (Heb. tob) with Thy servant" (verse 65).
"It is good (Heb. tob) for me that I have been afflicted" (verse 71).
"The law of Thy mouth is better (Heb. tob) unto me than thousands of gold and silver"
(verse 72).
There can be nothing so important to the believer in this present life as his knowledge
of, and loyalty to, the Word of God, and as we all have a tendency to "go astray",
"affliction" or "humbling" should lead us to a fuller understanding of the Word, and a
closer walk with the Lord, enabling us to "learn" God's statutes, and to "keep" God's
Word. Grievous as affliction may be, and shrink as we will from anything that
"humbles", we trust we shall be enabled to say (with the Psalmist) of Him Who is good,
and Who doest good:
"It is good for me that I have been afflicted."