Psalm 119:66

Today we come to the second verse in the octave of Psalm 119 entitled Teth.

Psalms 119:66  Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

Judgment is something you exercise every day.  Anytime you make a decision for or against someone or something, or form an opinion for or against someone or something, you are exercising judgment.  The prayer of today’s verse is a prayer for good judgment.  We need good judgment so that we may make good decisions. And the best One to teach us good judgment is the Lord.  Hence, like the psalmist, we ask Him to teach us, which He does by the ways and means He has appointed in His word.

But the psalmist also adds to his request for good judgment, a request for knowledge.  Knowledge is information.  A good judgment is an informed judgment.  Therefore, we have the prayer for knowledge to go with judgment. 

Proverbs 19:2  Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good….

Our Lord commanded us to “judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24), which we cannot do in ignorance.  How can you judge rightly if you do not know what is right?

Good judgment and knowledge work in tandem.  We need knowledge to exercise good judgment, but we need good judgment in the exercise of knowledge.  This point comes out clearly from these words of the apostle Paul:

1 Corinthians 8:1  Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

Paul then proceeds in 1Corinthians 8 to instruct believers in how to use their knowledge in such a way that does not cast a stumblingblock before a weaker brother.  That is, Paul imparts to the Corinthians good judgment to go with their knowledge. 

Then we need good judgment in the acquisition of knowledge, for not all knowledge is knowledge we should have.  There are some things best not known.  Adam and Eve found that out to their shame.  Consider these warnings against bad knowledge:

Proverbs 19:27  Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

Romans 16:19  …I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

2 Corinthians 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Revelation 2:24  But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

We want the knowledge that God teaches us.  So we need good judgment to discern that knowledge from knowledge that is not of God.

Now the psalmist backs up his petition with this plea:  for I have believed thy commandments.  Good judgment and knowledge come from God’s commandments.  When you face a decision, a judgment you must make, be sure that you decide within the boundaries laid down by God’s commandments.  A decision within the boundaries of God’s commandments is an acceptable decision.  A decision that transgresses or oversteps the boundaries of God’s commandments is a bad decision.  So asking God to teach you good judgment and knowledge is also asking God to teach you His commandments.

But your judgment and learning are not likely to be influenced by God’s commandments if you do not believe them.  Remember, God’s word works effectually in those who believe it (1Thessalonians 2:13).  You are not likely to rely on the advice of someone whom you do not believe and trust.  Your starting point should always be this:  If the Bible teaches it, it is right and, therefore, I believe it.  And believing it, you do what it teaches even if it seems like it will do nothing at all for your situation.  Do what God commands of you and it will help whatever situation you are facing.  It’s true!  Believe it!

So as you face life with its many challenges and decisions, ask God to teach you good judgment and knowledge as given in His word.  When you learn a commandment of God, obey it.  Just do what the Bible teaches you to do and you will be a person of good judgment and knowledge.  You will grow spiritually to be one of those who are “of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14).  I close with this prayer of the apostle Paul, a prayer not unlike the one we have considered today.  This prayer clearly sets forth the effects of believers having the good judgment and knowledge that comes from the Lord.

Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

10  That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

11  Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.