Psalms 119:65 - Meaning and Application

Here, David gives a thankful account of God’s kind dealings with him all along: “You have dealt well with your servant.” No matter how God has treated us, we must admit that he has treated us well, better than we deserve, and always in love, with our good in view. In many cases, God has done more for us than we expected. He has done well by all his servants, and none of them ever had reason to say that he had been harsh with them.

“You have dealt well with me,” David says, not only according to your mercy, but according to your word. God’s gifts look especially good when we compare them with his promise and see that they flow from that promise. On the basis of these experiences, David asks for more instruction from God: “Teach me good judgment and knowledge, that by your grace I may repay, in some measure, what has been done for me.” He asks for a good sense, or a right taste, the ability to tell things apart, to distinguish truth from falsehood, and good from evil. The ear tests words, just as the mouth tastes food.

We should pray to God for a sound mind, so that our spiritual powers are trained and ready (Hebrews 5:14). Many people have knowledge, but little judgment. Those who have both are well protected against Satan’s traps and well prepared to serve God and their generation. David supports this prayer with a reason: “For I have believed your commandments.” He has received them, agreed that they are good, and submitted to their rule, so he prays, “Lord, teach me.” When God gives a good heart, we should pray that he also gives a good mind.