I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

PSALMS 119:75KJV
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Psalms 119:75 (KJV)

What does Psalms 119:75 mean?

Psalms 119:75 expresses the psalmist’s confidence that the LORD’s decisions are just and that any suffering experienced comes from God’s faithfulness, not from neglect or cruelty. The verse shows a deep trust that God’s actions, even those that cause pain, are ultimately right and rooted in His commitment to His people.

The writer of Psalm 119, traditionally understood to be David or another devoted Israelite, is speaking directly to the LORD in prayer. The context is a long meditation on God’s law, where the psalmist often faces hardship but keeps returning to trust in God’s character. Here, the psalmist acknowledges that personal affliction is not random or unfair, but is allowed by God in faithfulness, reinforcing the idea that God’s standards and actions are always trustworthy.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 119:75

  • "judgments" (מִשְׁפָּטִים, mishpatim): This word refers to God’s decisions, rulings, or standards. It emphasizes that what God decrees is not arbitrary but is based on justice and order.
  • "right" (צֶדֶק, tsedek): This word means just, righteous, or morally correct. The psalmist is affirming that God’s ways are always aligned with what is truly right.
  • "faithfulness" (אֱמוּנָה, emunah): This word carries the sense of steadfastness, reliability, or trustworthiness. The psalmist sees his suffering as coming from God’s unwavering commitment to His promises, not from inconsistency or forgetfulness.
  • "afflicted" (עָנָה, anah): This word means to humble, oppress, or cause to suffer. The psalmist recognizes that his hardship is not outside of God’s control, but is something God has allowed for a purpose.

Why Psalms 119:75 matters

  • Psalms 119:75 helps clear up the misunderstanding that suffering always means God is displeased or absent; instead, it shows suffering can be part of God’s faithful care.
  • The verse highlights the psalmist’s mature faith, trusting God’s character even when circumstances are painful, which is a key theme throughout Psalm 119.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by showing that love for God’s law and trust in His justice go hand-in-hand, even when life is hard.

Where else these words appear

“faithfulness” Hebrew H530 · used in 49 verses

  • Exodus 17:12 But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
  • Psalms 40:10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
  • Psalms 119:138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

“afflicted” Hebrew H6031 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
  • Judges 16:5 And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.
  • Psalms 105:18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:

“right” Hebrew H6664 · used in 109 verses

  • Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
  • Psalms 52:3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
  • Ecclesiastes 7:15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.