A Clean Path
The second section of Psalm 119 (vv. 9-16) begins by asking a good question:
How can a young man keep his way clean?
“His way,” of course, would refer to his path of life. It’s a question that represents a well-understood struggle—at least by someone who cares about his quality of life as God sees it. And it’s a question about resources: what’s available…how much is there…how long will it last?
And the answer?
Well, the short answer is to depend upon God’s grace. In v. 10, recognizing that God plays a role in keeping him on course, the writer cries, “O let me not wander from your commandments.” And in v. 12, he asks the Lord to teach him His statutes, acknowledging that without the Holy Spirit’s ministry of illumination, he’d be stuck on the wrong “unclean” path.
But I must not infer that dependence on God’s grace means I haven’t a role to play in this path-cleaning endeavor. On the contrary, multiple responsibilities rest upon my shoulders.
First, I need to aspire to know the Lord (v. 10a), to stay on track (v. 10b), and to know God’s Word (v. 12). If I don’t want these things, my path most certainly won’t stay clean.
Secondly, I need to appreciate the value of God’s Word (v. 14). I can’t have the attitude that the Bible is a “Sunday-only book”—a sort of clothing accessory for church wear. I need to appreciate that God’s Word teaches a “way” truly worth living!
Thirdly, I need to affirm the rightness of God’s judgments (v. 13). How can I expect to have a clean path if I disagree with God about what makes a clean path?
Fourth, keeping my way clean calls for me to absorb God’s Word (v. 11). As I truly treasure it (the literal idea behind “hidden”) in my heart, God’s truth permeates my life, going beyond my mind alone to affect my desires and actions. And why? To avoid sin, which takes us back to the driving question of this section.
Last, but not least, and not in order of priority, I need to attend to where I’m headed related to the map, God’s Word (v. 9b), so that regular reorientation may be made. Indeed, a man may go astray if his map misleads him (not an issue, of course, with God’s Word!), but even with the most accurate map, he’ll still end up on the wrong road if he doesn’t pay attention to it.
How can a young man keep his way clean?
“His way,” of course, would refer to his path of life. It’s a question that represents a well-understood struggle—at least by someone who cares about his quality of life as God sees it. And it’s a question about resources: what’s available…how much is there…how long will it last?
And the answer?
Well, the short answer is to depend upon God’s grace. In v. 10, recognizing that God plays a role in keeping him on course, the writer cries, “O let me not wander from your commandments.” And in v. 12, he asks the Lord to teach him His statutes, acknowledging that without the Holy Spirit’s ministry of illumination, he’d be stuck on the wrong “unclean” path.
But I must not infer that dependence on God’s grace means I haven’t a role to play in this path-cleaning endeavor. On the contrary, multiple responsibilities rest upon my shoulders.
First, I need to aspire to know the Lord (v. 10a), to stay on track (v. 10b), and to know God’s Word (v. 12). If I don’t want these things, my path most certainly won’t stay clean.
Secondly, I need to appreciate the value of God’s Word (v. 14). I can’t have the attitude that the Bible is a “Sunday-only book”—a sort of clothing accessory for church wear. I need to appreciate that God’s Word teaches a “way” truly worth living!
Thirdly, I need to affirm the rightness of God’s judgments (v. 13). How can I expect to have a clean path if I disagree with God about what makes a clean path?
Fourth, keeping my way clean calls for me to absorb God’s Word (v. 11). As I truly treasure it (the literal idea behind “hidden”) in my heart, God’s truth permeates my life, going beyond my mind alone to affect my desires and actions. And why? To avoid sin, which takes us back to the driving question of this section.
Fifth, I need to apply myself in the following areas (vv. 15-16):
- meditation upon God’s Word (reviewing over and over in the mind)
- respect for the Word (that is, when contemplating His ways vs. my ways, I choose His)
- delight in, and deliberate remembrance of, the Word (v. 16b, lit. “I will not ignore…”).
Last, but not least, and not in order of priority, I need to attend to where I’m headed related to the map, God’s Word (v. 9b), so that regular reorientation may be made. Indeed, a man may go astray if his map misleads him (not an issue, of course, with God’s Word!), but even with the most accurate map, he’ll still end up on the wrong road if he doesn’t pay attention to it.
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