A Look at Psalm 119:9

Psalm 119:9 “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word.”
 

The word, “WORD” is a general term which includes, law, statute, testimony, commandment, precept and judgment. It refers to the utterances of God by which we are to live our lives. David, being a man, related best to men, and so asked, “How can a young man keep his way pure?” However, this is applicable to all people, not just young men. The way we keep our lives pure is by submitting (bringing under) our ways to God’s Word. That Word may come through the Bible or through the spoken word; but regardless of how it comes, it is to be lived.

It’s when we live according to God’s Word that our way remains pure. When something is pure, it is not mixed with anything else, nor is it diluted. We are talking about a man’s/a woman’s “way” in this verse. The only way for our way to remain pure is when our way is in harmony with God’s Word.

The Word of God - however it is received - is the only pure thing there is. All other “words” are mixed (not pure) with motives of men. God’s Word has only pure intentions. Men’s words, no matter how godly they are, are all mixed with their own intentions. 
 

This is a challenge to “come under God." To live according to God’s Word means we are to leave our ways, and bring ourselves under God. It means we must leave our way of doing things. It means we are to abandon our plans, goals, and ambitions. The impurity in “our way” comes from our self-centered motives. There is a life of purity available to all who will come under God. Our lives are full of impurity only when we come out from under God, choosing instead to do our own thing and make our own decisions. 

Let me encourage you to take some time to pray over this, meditating on this verse. As you do, ask God to show you the impurity of your ways, then ask Him to help you come under His ways. 

Continued