In the previous section of this Psalm, we learned to behold the overflowing love of God in this world, rising above the evil that prevails around us. In this passage, the Psalmist explains how he discerned between good and evil, and therefore sought God’s grace to deal graciously with him.
This portion of Psalm 119 falls under the Hebrew letter “ט” (Teth), which carries the meaning of both good and evil. It is a paradoxical Hebrew expression that holds two opposites within a single letter. The world often separates good and evil because it fails to understand the connection between them, and many have even imagined separate gods governing each. Yet, in the Garden of Eden, there stood the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
When Jesus taught the people how to recognize false prophets, He used the illustration of a tree and its fruit. He said that a good tree cannot bear bad fruit. In the same way, a person can be identified by his works: if someone is truly good, his deeds will also reflect goodness; and if his works are evil, it reveals the true condition of his heart. Keeping this in mind, we can better understand the paradox of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which enables man to clearly discern between the two.
Teach Me Knowledge
Do good to your servant
according to your word, LORD.
Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I trust your commands.
Psalm 119:65-66 (NIV)
As we have seen, the world often separates good and evil and assumes that different gods govern each realm. Because this misconception has spread widely, even many children of God hesitate to associate Him with anything they perceive as evil, though He sovereignly rules over both the righteous and the wicked alike.
To correct this misunderstanding in the hearts of His people, God spoke to King Cyrus, who believed in and worshipped two opposing divine powers: Ahura Mazda, regarded as the god of light, and Angra Mainyu, considered the power of darkness and evil. Through this, God revealed that He alone is sovereign over all things, and that nothing exists outside His authority and control (Isaiah 45:5–7).
In surrendering himself into the hands of God, the Psalmist prayed that God would deal graciously with him. He also asked the Lord to grant him knowledge and discernment to distinguish between good and evil, so that he might reject evil and wholeheartedly choose what is good.
The children of God must trust Him in every circumstance, knowing that He alone sovereignly governs both good and evil. When we lack this understanding, we tend to imagine that evil powers have temporarily overpowered God and are tormenting us until He rises to fight on our behalf. Such misconceptions give room for the devil to deceive people into believing that he possesses independent authority to oppress the children of God.
Yet Scripture reveals that even the enemy can act only within the limits permitted by God. In the case of Job, God allowed satan to afflict his body but not to take his life. Likewise, when satan entered Judas, he could proceed only within the boundaries that Christ permitted. These truths remind us that nothing operates outside the sovereign authority of God.
Freedom To Choose
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your word.
You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your decrees.
Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
I keep your precepts with all my heart.
Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
but I delight in your law.
Psalm 119:67-70 (NIV)
God never promised us a life free from troubles, nor does He afflict us simply to make us suffer. More often, it is we ourselves who turn away from good and choose evil, thereby bringing pain and distress upon our lives through our own sinful desires. God does not compel us against our will or forcibly prevent us from choosing evil; instead, He grants us the freedom to make our own choices. Many fail to understand this truth and gradually condition their hearts toward evil while their lips continue to honour God. Such people are described by the Psalmist as spiritually dull and hardened in heart.
If God were to shield us from every wrong choice like an overprotective parent, we would never learn to discern between good and evil or willingly choose what is right. Therefore, God permits us to experience the consequences of the troubles we ourselves invite, so that through those experiences we may discover the greatness of His love and the sustaining power of His grace, even in the darkest parts of our life.
Through the prophet Isaiah, God reveals that He does not refine us in the same manner a silversmith refines silver — by force and without any response from the metal. Rather, He refines us by allowing us to face the consequences of our own sinful desires, so that we may come to reject them completely and freely choose what is good — the ways of God.
God’s Words Are Precious Than Gold
It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees.
The law from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
Psalms 119:71-72 (NIV)
As the Psalmist confessed, affliction is not necessary for those who learn to walk in the light. The light exposes our impurities, giving us the opportunity to cleanse ourselves immediately, without having to endure the painful consequences that arise from our wrong choices. Yet our desire for worldly things often proves stronger than our desire for God. Though we know that His Word is more precious than gold, many seek it only to gain the riches of this world, rather than forsaking worldly treasures after discovering that His truth far surpasses all the glittering wealth this earth has to offer.
When our hearts are set on earthly blessings, the law of God appears burdensome and impossible to live by. As a result, instead of examining ourselves in the light of His Word, we use that very Word to judge others — though it was first given for our own self-examination and correction.
Nevertheless, as the Psalmist declared, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.” David’s own covetous desires brought struggle into his life and placed him in danger of losing the joy of salvation. Yet in his brokenness, he pleaded with God not to take away His Spirit from him, knowing that without the Spirit, there would be none to convict and awaken his conscience when he sinned. Therefore, he also prayed that God would grant him a steadfast spirit.
Though God had not yet fully revealed the complete truth concerning salvation and the indwelling Spirit to His people in David’s time, David’s close walk with God enabled him to perceive the essence of the Gospel even before God’s redemptive plan was fully accomplished. If David, with only a partial revelation, prayed so earnestly for the sustaining presence of God’s Spirit, how much more ought we — who now know the fullness of salvation and have received the gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling within our hearts — to pray in like manner. With this understanding, let us allow the Holy Spirit to pray with groaning on behalf of us, so that we will have a willing spirit all the time.
Father God, Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Amen
The Jordan Valley 
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