Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 119:71

"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; That I may learn thy statutes." — Psalms 119:71 (ASV)

It is good for me that I have been afflicted—See the notes at (Psalms 119:67). Whatever may have been the form of the affliction, it was good for me. The design was benevolent; the result has been my own benefit. This will be the experience sooner or later resulting from all the afflictions of the righteous.

That I might learn thy statutes—That I might be brought more fully to understand what they require; and that I might be led to conform to them. It is implied here:

• that this is the tendency of affliction; and
• that this is an advantage—a good.

Anything that will lead a man to obey God is a blessing and a favor. Whatever leads a sinner to secure the salvation of his soul is a gain to him.

No matter what it may cost; no matter what he may be required to give up; no matter to what persecutions and troubles it may expose him; no matter what he may suffer, or how long he may suffer; no matter though poverty, contempt, toil—even the rack or the stake—may be the consequence of his religion—yet it is a gain to him.

And he will be thankful for it in the end—for nothing that can be endured in this life can be compared with the sufferings of the world of despair; nothing on earth can be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us in heaven. See the notes at (Romans 8:18).