"Not any way, not somebody else's way, not the old man's way, not the way of the man in mid-life, but his own way: the young man's way. And nothing is plainer than that it contemplates as great a variety of ways as there are kinds of men. 9. Let him hear what follows; the description is from God. God's word is the glass which discovereth all spiritual deformity, and also the water and soap which washes and scours it away. Note how the first section of eight verses has for its first verse, "Blessed are the undefiled in the way." Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way, By taking heed thereto according to thy word. By pointing out to the young man the evil of the way. "Look well to thy goings"; it is a narrow path. What course is to be taken? Study, Obey, Teach - Ezra 7:10. But yet more satisfactory is the declaration of St. Peter, when he affirms, that by “the exceeding great and precious promises of Scripture we may be made partakers of the divine nature, and be enabled to escape the corruption that is in the world through lust [Note: 2 Peter 1:4. Show how the young man is in special danger of defiling his way. way = path. course from the first step to the last;but, alas his way is already unclean. Thomas Le Blanc. F. G. Marchant. There is an especial necessity for "taking heed," because of the difficulty of the way. By guarding it according to your word. ב Beth How can a young person stay on the path of purity? And those are most happy, who are preserved most free from the defilement of sin, who simply believe God's testimonies, and depend on his promises. Let him not, however, shrink from the glorious enterprise of living a pure and gracious life; rather let him enquire the way by which all obstacles may be overcome. We poured clean water into our little bowl to represent God’s Word cleaning our minds and hearts. Psalms 119:9. The prophet, therefore, not without reason, exhorts them particularly to attend to the observance of the law. Verse 9. How shall he become and remain practically holy? By taking heed thereto according to thy word; John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible, Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible, Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. Try, next, to understand what is meant by "cleansing the way." It must be confessed, therefore, that a young man’s course is very difficult; that “strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,” in which he has to walk; and that if ever he gain “the kingdom of heaven, he must take it by violence.”]. We may reason from the greater to the less; for if the law of God possesses the power of restraining the impetuosity of youth, so as to preserve pure and upright all who take it for their guide, then, assuredly, when they come to maturity, and their irregular desires are considerably abated, it will prove the best antidote for correcting their vices. Daleth. Wherewithal shall a young man] Semipuer, a lad, a stripling, who hath his name in Hebrew of tossing to and fro; confer Ephesians 4:14, and the same word signifieth youth and tow, Isaiah 1:31, or rather the shreds that fall from tow and flax, when whiffied; to note the vanity of youth, and its aptness to be enkindled, when once affections begin to boil within them. In respect of outward decorum, females, from the restraints of education, have a great advantage: perhaps, in reference to vital godliness also, they may be considered as more favoured than the other sex, because they have more opportunity for serious reflection. God is of purer eyes than to look upon sin. THERE is much despondency in the human mind, especially in reference to the great work of sanctification. By living according to your word. ].”], 3. 1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.. 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.. 3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.. 4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.. 5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!. Psalm 119:9, KJV: "BETH.Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? All rights reserved. Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 20:11). God's law; this is enacted by him as our Sovereign. With my whole heart have I sought thee — Deny me not that aid of thy grace which I have so sincerely and earnestly desired and laboured to obtain. A sufficiency of light to discover to men the need of cleansing their way. James Harrington Evans, 1785-1849. John Gill, 1697-1771. The manner how it is applied and made use of, "by taking heed thereto," etc. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. xxvii., p. 40. The enquiry is of the most enlarged comprehension, and will be made only by one who can say that he has been honestly putting himself in the way, as the young man in Psalms 119:10-11 ; and it can be answered only by the heart that takes in all the strength provided by the blessed God, as is expressed here in Psalms 119:12 . Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? I did all the wills of God, and so became a man after his own heart, Acts 13:22. In this question there are several things supposed. To render evil the less formidable, every one agrees to strip it of its proper names, and to affix to it some gentle appellation that shall conceal its odiousness, and cast a veil over its deformity. He must examine it according to God's word, and carefully hear what God has said concerning him and it. The Lord our God is holy, and He will deal justly in every segment of our life, where sin is hiding, for He is a fair judge and a righteous God, Who will not abide iniquity. (This opinion is confirmed by the quotation which follows from Cowles.) When a child is come to be thirteen years and a day old, the Jews account him a man, and call him Barmitsuah, a child of the commandments; because bound to live by the law (Leo Modena of Jewish rites). Here it intimates. Free Reading Plans and Devotionals related to Psalms 119:9-11. Keyword Study: Psalm 119:9-10 “BETH. and Vulg. The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 119:9-16, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2012. Thy word. I think the words may be better rendered and supplied thus, by observing what is according to thy word; 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 manners: 2 Timothy 3:16 . The inquiry is -- How shall a young man make a clean way -- a pure line of conduct -- through this defiling world? 2 Samuel 11:4. II. Seek The Lord And Find Him. Psalm 119:9 As the verse ran through my mind, I began to ponder the meaning of it, which then led to further investigation on the meaning of the words. The strength, the aspirations, the unmarred expectations of youth, are in requisition for the world; O that they may be consecrated to God. Now, take a young man all in the heat and boiling of his blood, in the highest fermentation of his youthful lusts; and, at all these disadvantages, let him enter that great school of the Holy Spirit, the divine Scripture, and commit himself to the conduct of those blessed oracles; and he shall effectually be convinced, by his own experience, of the incredible virtue, the vast and mighty power, of God's word, in the success it hath upon him, and in his daily progression and advances in heavenly wisdom. That we should be very early and betimes sensible of this evil; for the question is propounded concerning the young man. The Bible is a book for young people. The Masoretes (a group of Jewish scholars between the 6 th and 10 th centuries AD) said that the word of God is mentioned in every verse except Psalm 119:122. How felt you, my young friends, who have been brought to Christ, in the day of your resolving to be his? He must take heed to it, rmfl, lishmor, to keep, guard, and preserve his way -- his general course of life, from all defilement. The very names by which the divine life is described in Scripture sufficiently shew that it is neither attained nor exercised without great difficulty. Aristotle, that great dictator in philosophy, despaired of achieving so great an enterprise as the rendering a young man capable of his hqika akroamata, "his grave and severe lectures of morality"; for that age is light and foolish, yet headstrong and untractable. Psalm 9 – God Remembers, Man Forgets. Ps 25:7 By taking heed, etc. Whole verse. The writer not necessarily a youth. Psalms 119:9-11.— H. Allon, Christian World Pulpit, vol. The same precautions must be used by you. The more effectually to excite them to this, he produces, in an especial manner, the example of children or youths. Let each man, whether young or old, who desires to be holy have a holy watchfulness in his heart, and keep his Holy Bible before his open eye. KJV, Word Study Bible, Red Letter Edition: 1,700 Key Words that Unlock the Meaning of the Bible. But, whilst we acknowledge the impossibility of serving God aright by any strength of our own, we must deny that it is altogether impracticable to fulfil his will. Thus he declares how he has been enabled to do rightly, and how he will do rightly in the future. 26 I disclosed my ways … (9) Wherewithal.—There can be little question that the right rendering of this verse is By what means can a young man purify his way, so as to keep it according to Thy word? Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. The One Hour Prayer Cycle. Oh! Adam Clarke. xii., p. 198; H. W. Beecher, Ibid., vol. Words To Live By With Craig Groeschel. The Increase Opening Day Devotional. Psalm 119:9-10 How can a young man keep his way pure? The word is the only weapon (like Goliath's sword, none to equal this), for the hewing down and cutting off of this stubborn enemy, our lusts. The eight verses alphabetically arranged: Whole eight verses, 9-16. Henry Cowles, 1872. To the tune of “Death of the Son.” A Psalm of David. His way; this is the rule of his providence. Verse 9. a young man. By far more than in all riches I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies. "Thereto" - namely, to "his way" (cf. He. In the question, there is the person spoken of, "a young man," and his work, "Wherewithal shall he cleanse his way?" This is a question suggested by common sense, and pressed home by daily occurrences; but it is not to be answered by unaided reason, nor, when answered, can the directions be carried out by unsupported human power. 9.Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? Bible Gateway Recommends. But for all such anxiety there seems to be an answer in the text. Thomas Manton. The omission of a direct answer rather strengthens than impairs the impression on the reader. Theodore Kuebler. "Taking heed,". The question is posed: “How shall a young man keep His way pure?” (Psalm 119:9a). how blessed to look to him in all things! Verse 9. That he must use the Bible for the purpose. Psalm 119:9. Psalm 119 is remarkable for how often it refers to God’s written revelation, His word. Wherewith shall a young man — Or, any man. young man, because such are commonly void of wisdom and experience, heady and wilful, and impatient of admonition, full of violent passions and strong lusts, and exposed to many and great temptations. Verse 9. That which is enquired after is, What remedy there is against it? 5 When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. A Psalm about the Word A New Church Bible story explanation for teaching Sunday school. KJV, Reference Bible, Center-Column Giant Print, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, King James Version. Youth is the season of impression and improvement, young men are the future props of society, and the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom, must begin in youth. 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