PSALM 119

As mentioned in the preview, an outstanding point of this stanza is that by God's word a youth can remain morally clean or pure. This was by "keeping on guard according to [God's] word." Let's first consider the 3 remaining terms of the 10 that are found in verses 9, 11, and 16. These refer to God's (1) word, (2) saying, and (3) statutes.

Clearly God's WORD refers to His expressions, or the entirety of them, whether found in the Bible, or given through any chosen channel of communication, such as through His servant Moses, the true prophets, or His son, Jesus. Such a spokesperson may be considered a "mouthpiece" of God. Jesus said, at Matthew 4:4, "...Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every word that comes from Jehovah's mouth." So it involves our very life to give attention to God's word regularly, as we do nourishing physical food.

God's SAYING refers similarly to an expression of God, evidently something especially cherished or remembered. Proverbs 16:24 says "Pleasant sayings are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and a healing to the bones."

Also, God's STATUTES are mentioned, as something we should be fond of, helping us not to forget God's word. As used in the Scriptures, reference is several times made to a "lasting statute," meaning a law that held special permanence or longevity among all of God's laws. For instance, the day Israel had left Egypt en-route to the Promised Land, God said, at Exodus 12:14: "“‘This day will serve as a memorial for you, and you must celebrate it as a festival to Jehovah throughout your generations. As a lasting statute, you should celebrate it." The day has even carried over into Christianity, as the Memorial of Christ's death, as the Passover lamb foreshadowed Jesus' sacrificial death. Accordingly, at Numbers 9:14, God says, in reference to commemorating the Passover sacrifice: "...There should exist one statute for you, both for the foreign resident and for the native of the land." On one occasion, God added a "statute" to the existing law code, when requiring that no one enter the Holy compartment of the tabernacle "drinking wine or other alcoholic beverages." He then said "It is a permanent statute for your generations." Thus Jehovah may have set a precedent in allowing statutes to be added to the Mosaic Law when circumstances necessitated it. Such laws should always support and prove to be in agreement with God's laws and standards, never contributing to their violation. That was not the case with many of the traditions of Pharisees and others in Jesus' day, which taught people to do things in violation of God's written word. (Mark 7:9-13).

At least now we've considered the ten or so terms repeated throughout Psalm 119, which will help us grasp the meaning and significance of the many expressions we'll find. May we look forward to such rewarding study, remembering to seek God's spirit as we examine such things each day, for His blessing and guidance on our spiritual intake!

Now let's proceed with a verse-by-verse commentary beginning with Psalm 119:9-12:

"9 How can a young man keep his path clean? By keeping on guard according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you. Do not let me stray from your commandments. 11 In my heart I treasure up your saying So that I may not sin against you. 12 May you be praised, O Jehovah; Teach me your regulations."

"9 How can a young man keep his path clean? By keeping on guard according to your word."

KEEPING ON GUARD. Young children are often safeguarded by parents and other responsible ones from much of the spiritual filth or contamination that degrades the morality and spirituality of this world. Proverbs 22:3 says: "The shrewd one sees the danger and conceals himself, But the inexperienced keep right on going and suffer the consequences." As these precious children grow, they should be helped to gain enough prudence to be aware and cautious of spiritual pitfalls that are common in these "critical times hard to deal with." (2Timo 3:1). While loving people, they will still need to guard their assocations from "bad company" that "corrupts good character." (1Cori 15:33, NIV; 2Timo 3:2-5). Thus, how can a young man keep his path clean? The answer is expressed this way in AMP: "By taking heed and keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to it]." God's word, including the book of Proverbs, contains much divine instruction that can assist all to protect their spirit from ruin. May we treasure Christian teachings and guidance toward God's reward of eternal life, peace, and happiness!

"10 With my whole heart I seek you. Do not let me stray from your commandments."

LOVING GOD WITH ONE'S "WHOLE HEART" Yes, especially in this world fraught with spiritual danger, do we need to rely upon Jehovah each day, seeking His guidance and direction, trusting Him to know what's best for us! The psalmist treasured his relationship with God, and sought Him with his "whole heart." Jesus said it was the greatest and first commandment of the Mosaic Law, to love God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and might. The apostle John writes, at 1John 5:3, that "this is what the love of God means, that we observe His commandments. Yet his commandments are not burdensome." Thus the psalmist pleads that God help him not to stray from His commandments. Jesus said the second commandment, like the first, was to love one's neighbor as oneself. Then he said: "On these two commandments the whole Law hangs, and the Prophets." May we thus seek to grasp this love for God, desiring to please Him, in response to His great love for us!

"11 In my heart I treasure up your saying So that I may not sin against you."

TREASURING GOD'S SAYINGS. Regarding helping us remain clean before God, verse 11 holds a key--treasuring God's saying, to avoid sinning against Him. Jesus said, at Matthew 7:24, "“Therefore, everyone who hears these sayings of mine and does them will be like a discreet man who built his house on the rock." In God's word are found many motivating expressions helping us remain faithful to God, as we ponder them, endeavoring to see how to live by them each day. These sayings need to affect, not only our speech, but also our actions. It is not always enough simply to know God's standards, we need to develop heart appreciation for them, perhaps with shrewdness or prudence to see the blessings and rewards of choosing the right course, and some of the problems and troubles caused by choosing poorly. Thus we can more readily "hate what is bad" and choose a good path. (Psalm 97:10; Prove 2:20-22).

"12 May you be praised, O Jehovah; Teach me your [instructions]."

TEACH ME. Who is worthy of such praise or honor more than the progenitor of the human family, and Creator of this incredible universe and planet, and every good thing contained therein and upon. James 1:17 refers to God as the giver of "Every good gift and every perfect present." At Revelation 4:11, a heavenly group exuberantly states: "“You are worthy, Jehovah our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they came into existence and were created.” Acknowledging God's right to such glory, the psalmist next expresses desire to be taught God's instructions. James counsels, at James 1:5, "So if any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching, and it will be given him." Thus may our requests to God be regular, especially to understand and apply, or live by, His guidance in life, thus growing in our relationship with Him and with others, pleasing our loving God and Father, Jehovah, and strengthening our hope of an endless life in true peace and happiness!