Psalm 119:9-16

GOOD MORNING! An important question is asked by the Psalmist: "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?" How shall a vital, active person become and stay godly?[1]

A New Testament passage speaks to this truth: "For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."[2]

The Psalmist's question then is a vital one for us to consider. It is when this life is fresh and full of promise that this question stands out, demanding to be personally answered.

Solomon concludes a deep examination of the humanistic philosophy of life by pointing out that the time to "remember" our Creator is in the days of our youth, "while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt will say, I have no pleasure in them;"[3] and concludes the whole study with a personally meaningful statement: "Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil."[4]

As the Scriptures always do, the answer to the question is that which shows us God's will for our lives. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word."[5]

God's words, the holy Scriptures, are the blue-print for life. Another passage shows us that we are to "lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. … But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man is blessed in his deed."[6]

After asking and answering this basic question of life, the Psalmist seeks the LORD in prayer, "With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes." [7]

The petition is based on his life's purpose. He is seeking the LORD, and his prayer is that the LORD will prevent his going astray in or from his search after God.

It is the obedience of faith that follows after the LORD. "O let me not wander from thy commandments." This matter of a loving obedience of faith is under consideration in our LORD'S teaching to those who "believed on him." "If," He said, "ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."[8]

Our LORD and Saviour JESUS CHRIST is "the way, the truth, and the life." We are taught His way, His truth, His life by the Scripture of truth.[9]

Delight in God's word is a sure evidence that God's word is taking effect in the life. "I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches." [10]

The faithful resolve of the Psalmist is: "I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statues: I will not forget thy word."[11]

The LORD'S word to His own, as He was preparing to leave them in bodily presence, was: "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." [12]

I am thine O LORD, I have heard thy voice,
And it told thy love for me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed LORD,
To the Cross where thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed LORD,
To thy precious, bleeding side.[13]
AMEN.

[1] Psalm 119:9
[2] 1 Timothy 4:8
[3] Ecclesiastes 12:1
[4] Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
[5] Psalm 119:9
[6] James 1:21-22,25
[7] Psalm 119:10-12
[8] John 8:31-32
[9] John 14:6
[10] Psalm 119:14
[11] Psalm 119:15-16
[12] John 14:6
[13] Fanny J Crosby, "I Am Thine, O Lord"