Psalms 119:65-88
The request in v. 17 has been fulfilled. "Thou hast dealt well with thy servant" (v. 65) – but in a way which the psalmist had not expected: through affliction. He acknowledges, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted" (v. 71). Why? Because "before I was afflicted I went astray" (v. 67). The good Shepherd has been forced to use this painful means to bring the wandering sheep back onto the right path. But the soul has learnt a far more important lesson from this: he has come to know his God and no longer needs to understand in order to know that His love has not changed. He says, "I know that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me" (v. 75).
Amongst the nomads in the desert, making a water-skin requires patient preparation. It is placed in smoke for it to lose the original bitter taste and smell from the leather, which would otherwise make the water impure. So it is with the Christian (v. 83). The testing fire has to pass over him in order to remove his natural sourness and stiffness and make him fit for service. "Thy hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding . . ." (v. 73). Happy prayer of the redeemed! Yes, Lord, fashion my spirit too in the ways which You choose; make me flexible and responsive to Your will!