9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
What actions does the psalmist take to “keep his way pure?”
- Guarding it according to God’s Word.
o Treating God’s word as protection; a “guard” against evil ways and the destruction that comes with them.
o Conforming his life to God’s commandments.
o Using the Scriptures as the only important guide in life.
- Seeking God with his whole heart.
o Setting his face toward God and away from the world and fleshly desires.
o Letting God straighten his paths (lawnmower analogy) by running only toward God.
o Praying for help to conform to God’s commandments in every way.
- Storing up God’s Word in his heart.
o Memorizing God’s commands so that he does not need to pick up a book to know what God says.
o Preparing himself for every minute of every day by placing God’s Word inside of him.
o Working for there never to be a time when God’s Word is not accessible.
o Ultimately, purposing this so that he is always equipped to fight and avoid sin.
What does this passage say about God’s Word?
- It sets direction for our lives
- It protects us from sin’s destruction.
- It is the only effective tool against sin.
- Using it demands a heart that wholly seeks God.
What does this passage say about God?
- He intends for His Word to be the active daily revelation that believers depend on.
- He intends for His followers to live pure lives.
- He makes pure living possible through His Word.
- He values His Word.
- He wants His followers to seek Him with their whole hearts.
What does this passage say about me and my response to God’s Word?
- I must keep my way pure.
- I can only do this by guarding it according to God’s word.
- I must seek God with my whole heart.
- To most effectively fight against sin I need to hide the Word in my heart.
36 Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to selfish gain!
37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things,
and give me life in your ways.
What does the Psalmist ask God to do for him?
- Incline his heart to the testimonies of God.
o Give him a love for God’s word and a desire to live by it.
o “Incline” means to be attracted to – he’s acknowledging he can’t do this himself.
o This includes a turning away from selfish desires to which we’d naturally be inclined.
- Turn his eyes from the things of death to the Words of life.
o The Psalmist indicates utter helplessness even to the point of being unable to look away.
o The contrast “give me life” shows that the worthless things lead to death.
o He expresses utter dependence on God for the strength even for the smallest move of obedience.
What does this passage say about God’s Word?
- God’s Word brings life.
- God’s Word excludes selfishness.
- God’s Word is a thing of ultimate worth.
What does this passage say about God?
- God is the only person who is able to turn our hearts toward Him.
- God’s ways are the source of life.
What does this passage say about me and my response to God’s Word?
- I must cry out to God for grace to perform even the smallest obedient action.
- My heart will incline to selfish gain unless God inclines it to His testimonies.
- I will never find worth in anything but God’s Word.
Lord, give me a heart that inclines to Your Word. Help me to memorize it so that I always have it with me to inform my thoughts and actions. Please turn my eyes from the worthless things that my sinful heart loves so much. You are the only one who can turn my heart to You.
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