Psalm 119 9

Psalm 119:9 kjv

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Psalm 119:9 nkjv

How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.

Psalm 119:9 niv

How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.

Psalm 119:9 esv

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

Psalm 119:9 nlt

How can a young person stay pure?
By obeying your word.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 9 Meaning

Psalm 119:9 poses a profound question regarding moral purity, especially for a young person. It then provides the divinely revealed answer: a life of integrity and uprightness is maintained through diligent and attentive adherence to God's written Word. It asserts that genuine spiritual cleanliness and moral guidance are found exclusively by conforming one's actions and intentions to the divine precepts and instructions found in the Bible.

Psalm 119 9 Context

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the Bible, an elaborate acrostic poem with 176 verses. Each of its 22 octaves (sections of 8 verses) begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Within each octave, every verse starts with that same Hebrew letter. The entire psalm is a monumental hymn of praise and meditation on the Law of God (Torah) and His Word, referred to by various synonyms like statutes, commandments, precepts, decrees, and testimonies.

Verse 9 marks the beginning of the Beth section (the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet). This section, like others, underscores a deep reverence for God's instructions. The question posed in verse 9 sets a fundamental tone for personal obedience and holiness in the face of life's challenges, especially for those in their formative years. It establishes the central theme that permeates the entire psalm: the indispensable role of God's Word in guiding, purifying, and sustaining a righteous life. Historically, this psalm could reflect either the Davidic era's devotion to the Law or the post-exilic community's renewed commitment to God's statutes, as a means of national identity and spiritual preservation. It implicitly challenges the reliance on mere ritual, human tradition, or prevailing pagan philosophies, positing God's revealed Word as the exclusive source of true purity and wisdom.

Psalm 119 9 Word analysis

• How (בַּמֶּה - bammah): This interrogative word introduces a rhetorical question. It's not a search for an unknown fact but a prompt for deep reflection on a universally challenging dilemma, especially for the young. It implies difficulty and the need for a definitive, divine answer.
• can a young man (נַעַר - na'ar`): Refers to an adolescent or youth, typically male, a stage of life characterized by rapid development, strong passions, curiosity, vulnerability to temptations, and often, a lack of developed discernment. It highlights the particular challenges faced by those embarking on independent life choices.
• cleanse (זָכָה - zakāh`): To be pure, clean, morally innocent, or made righteous. It signifies not merely outward ritualistic purity but internal, moral, and spiritual cleansing. This implies an active, ongoing process, a continuous striving for purity of heart and conduct, rather than a one-time event.
• his way (אֹרַח - orach`): Literally means "path" or "road." Metaphorically, it refers to one's conduct, lifestyle, course of life, moral habits, or overall trajectory. The purity sought is comprehensive, affecting every aspect of a person's existence and journey.
• by taking heed (לִשְׁמֹר - lišmôr`): This is a infinitive form meaning "to keep," "to guard," "to watch over," "to observe diligently," "to preserve." It denotes an active, deliberate, and vigilant attentiveness. It suggests continuous watchfulness over one's life by means of adherence to a standard, rather than a passive observance.
• thereto according to your word. (כִּדְבָרֶךָ - *kidbāreḵā`):
  • כִּי- (kî-) is a preposition meaning "as," "according to," or "in proportion to." It specifies the standard or the criterion for taking heed.
  • דָּבָר (dāvār) means "word," "speech," "matter," "thing," "decree," "command." It encompasses the totality of God's revelation, His instructions, precepts, and covenant.
  • -ֶךָ (-eḵā) is the second-person singular possessive suffix, "your." This directly attributes the Word to God Himself, establishing its divine authority and perfection as the only true measure of purity. This implies God's personal involvement in revealing what is pure.

Words-group analysis

• "How can a young man cleanse his way?": This opening question emphasizes the human dilemma. It speaks to the inherent challenges of youth — a period susceptible to impurity and temptation, lacking the wisdom of experience. It universally applies to anyone seeking moral clarity and integrity in a world fraught with corrupting influences. The question itself highlights the insufficiency of human effort alone for true purity.
• "by taking heed thereto according to your word.": This phrase provides the divine and singular solution. It outlines the specific, active methodology: consistent and intentional attention to God's revealed will. "Taking heed" means guarding one's life; "according to your word" establishes God's unchanging and authoritative standard as the sole guide. This is a commitment to living by every aspect of divine revelation, shaping thought and action accordingly.

Psalm 119 9 Bonus section

• Wisdom Literature Echo: The verse structurally mirrors a classic pattern in wisdom literature: a vital question posed, followed by a definitive and profound answer derived from divine insight, emphasizing the practical application of wisdom to daily life.
• Continual Process: The Hebrew verb for "taking heed" (lišmôr) implies an ongoing, diligent effort. Purity is not a static state but a dynamic process of maintaining integrity by consistently aligning one's life with God's commands. It highlights the need for persistent self-examination and obedience.
• Internal Purity vs. External Ritual: This verse implicitly contrasts divine purification through the Word with various external rituals or human traditions that might offer a false sense of cleanliness without addressing the heart. True cleansing, the psalm suggests, stems from within, informed and shaped by God's truth.

Psalm 119 9 Commentary

Psalm 119:9 offers a foundational truth for living a righteous life: genuine purity, particularly challenging for the young, is not achieved by human strength or popular opinion, but solely through deliberate, continuous application of God's revealed Word. It calls for an active, vigilant adherence—a constant guarding of one's actions, thoughts, and attitudes against defilement by carefully observing divine precepts. This Word provides the absolute moral standard and the purifying power. It implies an internalizing of Scripture that guides personal choices and offers clarity amidst life's complexities, leading to a consistently blameless walk.

For practical usage, this means:

• Regular reading and meditation on Scripture.
• Applying biblical principles to daily decisions.
• Allowing the Word to convict, correct, and instruct.
• Seeking God's perspective on ethical dilemmas.