Psalms 119:67 (LSB)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

Psalms 119:65 You have dealt well with Your slave, O Yahweh, according to Your word.

Psalms 119:66 Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Your commandments.

Psalms 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.

Psalms 119:68 You are good and do good; Teach me Your statutes.

Psalms 119:69 The arrogant have smeared me with lying; With all my heart I will observe Your precepts.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "before", "afflicted", "went", "astray", "keep", and "word". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "before" and "afflicted", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 66's "Teach me good discernment and knowledge For..." into verse 68's "You are good and do good Teach...", so "before" and "afflicted" belong inside that flow. In Psalms context, the local focus is worship, trust, the LORD's kingship, and covenant mercy.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "before" and "afflicted" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.