How can a young man keep his way pure KJV

Psalms 119:9

BETH. Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way?
&c.] Some think David means himself, and that he was a young man when he wrote this psalm; and which they think is confirmed by ( Psalms 119:100 ) ; but neither of them seem conclusive; rather any young man is meant, and who is particularly mentioned, because young men are liable to sins and snares, to carnal lusts and sensual pleasures, which are of a defiling nature. Some are of opinion that a young man, or babe in Christ, is intended, that needs direction in his way, and instruction about the manner of cleansing it. But the former sense seems best, and expresses the concern of the psalmist for the education and right information of youth; which is a matter of great moment and advantage to families, neighbourhoods, and commonwealths. The question supposes the young man to be impure, as every man is by birth, being conceived in sin, and shapen in iniquity; is a transgressor from the womb, and his heart, ways, and actions, evil from his youth: and the difficulty is, how he shall be cleansed; how one so impure in his nature, heart, and ways, can be just with God, or become undefiled in the way, as in ( Psalms 119:1 ) ; to which some reference may be had: or how he can have his heart made pure, or a clean one be created in him; or how his way, life, and conversation, may be corrected, reformed, and amended. The answer is,

by taking heed [thereto] according to thy word;
that is, to his way and course of life, and steering it according to the direction of the word of God. But I think the words may be better rendered and supplied thus, "by observing [what is] according to thy word" F16; which shows how a sinner is to be cleansed from his sins by the blood of Christ, and justified by his righteousness, and be clean through his word; and also how and by whom the work of sanctification is wrought in the heart, even by the Spirit of God, by means of the word; and what is the rule of a man's walk and conversation: he will find the word of God to be profitable, to inform in the doctrines of justification and pardon, to acquaint him with the nature of regeneration and sanctification; and for the correction and amendment of his life and manners, and for his instruction in every branch of righteousness, ( 2 Timothy 3:16 ) .

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 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. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word” (Psalm 119:9, 16).

We have here; as the manner of the Psalmist, pouring his heart upon God. Those that would camp here at Psalm 119, verily; they are upon that blessed ground; whereby, God’s word is magnified. Let them that would want the benefit of the word only but camp here. The book of Psalm 119 is the longest psalm. It is the most carefully structured chapter in the Bible. The psalm is an acrostic poem of 22 stanzas, following the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Within each stanza, each verse begins with the same Hebrew letter.

This blessed book celebrates God’s word as the perfect guide for life. Here, then, we must study its portions carefully. For in them, gold is to be found; and mined by a diligent seeker. The Psalmist asks thus: How can a young man keep his way pure?

Thus he follows to give his answer and added considerations: Note, (1) By guarding it according to your word:

The young man knows his way shall be made pure, only by guarding it according to God’s revealed will in his word. Let other men seek that which is in the world; in the name of seeking knowledge. But as for this man, only God’s word proves true and sure. He resolves to guard his heart by what God has said. He knows his heart to be wicked above all other things. Therefore, he must follow God’s statues rather than place belief upon his crafty heart.

(2) With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!

That he shall seek the Lord with his whole heart; having left no portion out of the matter. Those that will seek God with all their hearts shall surely find him, as verily promised. A man seeks that which he accounts worthy. And here, God is above worthy. He is above gold. Let the man resolve to do nothing but seek his God with his whole heart. Observe also; the manner of the second phrase: let me not wander from your commandments. Here, the psalmist knows thus: they that are outside God, are walking as if on a slippery ground. At any given time, behold; they shall slide and fall. He therefore begs God to not let him wander, as did the children of Israel at the wilderness.

(3) I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

He uses his heart as a cabinet to record God’s law. The word is hidden within him. And why? So that at a proper time, when temptation comes; he can say with Christ, “It is written…” He fears that if the word of God is not hidden within him, then, he will fall and sin against God only. Thus David says in his 51st Psalm, “Against you only, you only; have I sinned God.” Every sin committed is against God. Therefore, let men store God’s word within them that they may not sin against their gracious and loving Father.

(4) Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statues!

The Psalmist blesses God as his God. He desires nothing to be his teacher but God himself. If he would abide by the word, behold; he has found the greatest teacher. Philosophers may come with their wisdom, but God’s word comes with a matchless wisdom. A heavenly guidance, I say!

(5) With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.

He delights to express God’s rule with everyone he comes into contact. God’s word has so consumed him, that he dare not keep silent but with his lips declare all the rules. And how blessed are those who share God’s word with their fellows! How beautiful are the feet of those who proclaim the Gospel of Christ unto the world!

(6) In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.

What God has said is a delight testimony to this man. It is higher than all the riches of the world. And it is here the man benefits most; the world and the natural man will work together. The latter pursues the glories of the world; the fame; the pleasures; the rankings; and the former does but hide its bait. The world will show many a man from a distance, as Satan did Christ at the pinnacle; the beauty of it (the kingdoms of the world). But when a man comes closer to observe; behold, he finds that it is all filled with dirt and subterfuges. So here, as it were; the Psalmist rejoices that God’s testimony is greater and valuable than all the worlds’ riches woven together.

(7) I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

The blessed man resolves to meditate upon that which will benefit his soul for good. The precepts of the Lord are pure. See my piece (here) on: Study the word, beloved Christian! https://brokenforchrist159171453.wordpress.com/2019/09/18/study-the-word-beloved-christian/.

This man also saith, observe; he will fix his eyes upon God’s ways, that is, he shall always place God’s rule ahead of him. Eternity is always before his eyeballs, as Jonathan Edwards would say.

(8) I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

Let him forget everything else, but never God’s word. It is his daily meal, as food is for the body; so God’s word is food for his soul. There is a strong resolution in the words “I will” note; he has not said, “I may, or might have, but I will!” Therefore, let the Christian man, yea, the young man remember to resolve thus: I will delight to follow and do God’s statutes.

Does he wish to keep his way pure? Let him guard his heart according to God’s word. Does he wish to find God? Let him seek him with whole his heart. Does he wish to share about God? Let his lips declare God’s law. Does he wish to bear good testimony? Let him delight in the testimonies of the LORD. Does he wish to fix his eyes on greater things? Let him meditate upon God’s word. Does he wish to always delight in God? Let him never forget God’s word.

How can a young man remain pure?

How can a young man keep his way pure by living according to Your word I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you?

How can a young man cleanse his ways Bible?

How can a young man keep his ways holy?