Psalm 119:67
New International Version
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.

New Living Translation
I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.

English Standard Version
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.

Berean Standard Bible
Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word.

King James Bible
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

New King James Version
Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.

New American Standard Bible
Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.

NASB 1995
Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.

NASB 1977
Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Thy word.

Legacy Standard Bible
Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.

Amplified Bible
Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep and honor Your word [with loving obedience].

Christian Standard Bible
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.

American Standard Version
Before I was afflicted I went astray; But now I observe thy word.

Contemporary English Version
Once you corrected me for not obeying you, but now I do obey.

English Revised Version
Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now I observe thy word.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Before you made me suffer, I used to wander off, but now I hold on to your word.

Good News Translation
Before you punished me, I used to go wrong, but now I obey your word.

International Standard Version
Before I was humbled, I wandered away, but now I observe your words.

Majority Standard Bible
Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word.

NET Bible
Before I was afflicted I used to stray off, but now I keep your instructions.

New Heart English Bible
Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.

Webster's Bible Translation
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

World English Bible
Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Before I am afflicted, I am erring, "" And now I have kept Your saying.

Young's Literal Translation
Before I am afflicted, I -- I am erring, And now Thy saying I have kept.

Smith's Literal Translation
Before I shall be humbled I go astray: and now I watched thy word.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Before I was humbled I offended; therefore have I kept thy word.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Before I was humbled, I committed offenses; because of this, I have kept to your word.

New American Bible
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I hold to your promise.

New Revised Standard Version
Before I was humbled I went astray, but now I keep your word.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Even before I was humbled I believed; and I kept thy word.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Before I had been humbled, I believed, and I have kept your word.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Before I was afflicted, I did err; But now I observe Thy word.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Before I was afflicted, I transgressed; therefore have I kept thy word.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet
66Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments. 67Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word. 68You are good, and You do what is good; teach me Your statutes.…

Cross References
Hebrews 12:5-11
And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. / For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” / Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? ...

Proverbs 3:11-12
My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke; / for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.

Revelation 3:19
Those I love I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.

Job 5:17-18
Blessed indeed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. / For He wounds, but He also binds; He strikes, but His hands also heal.

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, / because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. / Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

1 Corinthians 11:32
But when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

2 Corinthians 7:9-10
yet now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us. / Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Luke 15:17-24
Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food, but here I am, starving to death! / I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. / I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ ...

Isaiah 48:10
See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

Jeremiah 31:18-19
I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God. / After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’

Hosea 5:15-6:1
Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”

1 Peter 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials / so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Deuteronomy 8:5
So know in your heart that just as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.

Lamentations 3:32-33
Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion. / For He does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men.

2 Samuel 7:14
I will be his Father, and he will be My son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.


Treasury of Scripture

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

before

Psalm 119:176
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

Psalm 73:5
They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

Deuteronomy 32:15
But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

but now

Psalm 119:71,75
It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes…

Jeremiah 31:18,19
I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God…

Hosea 2:6,7
Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths…

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Psalm 119
1. This psalm contains various prayers, praises, and professions of obedience.
2. Aleph.
9. Beth
17. Gimel
25. Daleth
33. He
41. Waw
49. Zayin
57. Heth
65. Teth
73. Yodh
81. Kaph
89. Lamedh
97. Mem
105. Nun
113. Samekh
121. Ayin
129. Pe
137. Tsadhe
145. Qoph
153. Resh
161. Sin and Shin
169. Taw














Before I was afflicted
This phrase suggests a time of ease or comfort before experiencing hardship. In biblical context, affliction often serves as a tool for correction or growth. The Israelites frequently experienced affliction as a result of straying from God's commandments, as seen in the cycles of sin and redemption in the Book of Judges. Affliction can be seen as a form of divine discipline, intended to bring about repentance and a return to God. Hebrews 12:6 states, "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives," highlighting the purpose of affliction in the believer's life.

I went astray
Going astray implies a deviation from God's path or commandments. This is a common theme throughout Scripture, where God's people often turn away from His laws and suffer the consequences. The parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:3-7 illustrates God's desire to bring back those who have gone astray. The concept of straying is also linked to the human condition of sinfulness, as seen in Isaiah 53:6, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way."

but now I keep Your word
This phrase indicates a transformation or change in behavior following affliction. Keeping God's word is a central theme in the Bible, emphasizing obedience and adherence to His commandments. The psalmist's commitment to keeping God's word reflects a heart that has been corrected and realigned with God's will. This transformation can be seen as a type of repentance, where the individual turns away from sin and towards God. Jesus Christ, in John 14:15, says, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments," underscoring the importance of obedience as an expression of love and faithfulness to God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Psalmist
The author of Psalm 119, traditionally believed to be King David, who expresses a deep love for God's law and a desire for spiritual growth.

2. God
The divine being to whom the psalmist is speaking, seeking guidance, correction, and understanding.

3. Affliction
The period of suffering or hardship that the psalmist refers to, which serves as a turning point in his spiritual journey.

4. Israel
The nation often seen as the collective recipient of God's laws and teachings, frequently experiencing cycles of straying and returning to God.

5. The Word of God
The divine instructions, commandments, and teachings that the psalmist commits to following after experiencing affliction.
Teaching Points
The Purpose of Affliction
Affliction serves as a divine tool for correction and realignment with God's will. It is not merely punitive but redemptive, guiding us back to the path of righteousness.

The Role of God's Word
The Word of God is a steadfast guide that provides wisdom and direction. Post-affliction, the psalmist's commitment to keeping God's word highlights its importance in maintaining spiritual discipline.

Spiritual Growth through Trials
Trials and afflictions are opportunities for spiritual growth. They refine our character and deepen our relationship with God, leading to a more profound obedience and understanding of His will.

The Importance of Obedience
Obedience to God's word is a response to His love and discipline. It is through obedience that we experience the fullness of God's promises and blessings.

Reflection and Repentance
Times of affliction should lead to self-reflection and repentance. Recognizing our straying and returning to God is a crucial step in our spiritual journey.(67) That there is allusion here to the Babylonian exile, and its moral and religious effect on the nation, there can be little doubt.

Verse 67. - Before I was afflicted I went astray. "Sweet are the uses of adversity." The psalmist feels end confesses that the afflictions, which he has suffered (see comment on ver. 65), have been good for him. They have made him less apt to "go astray" than he was (comp. ver. 71). But now have I kept thy Word (comp. vers. 51, 56, 87, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Before
טֶ֣רֶם (ṭe·rem)
Adverb
Strong's 2962: Non-occurrence, not yet, before

I was afflicted,
אֶ֭עֱנֶה (’e·‘ĕ·neh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6031: To be bowed down or afflicted

I
אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

went astray;
שֹׁגֵ֑ג (šō·ḡêḡ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7683: To go astray, commit sin or error

but now
וְ֝עַתָּ֗ה (wə·‘at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

I keep
שָׁמָֽרְתִּי׃ (šā·mā·rə·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

Your word.
אִמְרָתְךָ֥ (’im·rā·ṯə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 565: Utterance, speech, word


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OT Poetry: Psalm 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 119:66
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