Psalms 119:9-16

Psalms 119:9-16

[9] BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man  cleanse  his way?  by taking heed  thereto according to thy word.  [10] With my whole heart  have I sought  thee: O let me not wander  from thy commandments.  [11] Thy word  have I hid  in mine heart,  that I might not sin  against thee. [12] Blessed  teach  me thy statutes.  [13] With my lips  have I declared  all the judgments  of thy mouth.  [14] I have rejoiced  in the way  of thy testimonies,  as much as in  all riches.  [15] I will meditate  in thy precepts,  and have respect  unto thy ways.  [16] I will delight  myself in thy statutes:  I will not forget  thy word. 

What does Psalms 119:9-16 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

A person can cleanse his or her conduct by obeying the Word of God ( Psalm 119:9). The writer testified that he had internalized and delighted in God"s Word to maintain moral purity ( Psalm 119:10-14). He made it a practice to think about God"s revelation continually ( Psalm 119:15-16).
"The act of "hiding" God"s word is not to be limited to the memorization of individual texts or even whole passages but extends to a holistic living in devotion to the Lord (cf. Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Deuteronomy 30:14; Jeremiah 31:33)." [1]
"Clearly this psalm probes beyond the simplistic formulation of Psalm 1. A life of full obedience is not a conclusion of faith. It is a beginning point and an access to a life filled with many-sided communion with God." [2]
The word "path" (Heb. "orah) is a synonym for "way." It occurs five times in this psalm ( Psalm 119:9; Psalm 119:15; Psalm 119:101; Psalm 119:104; Psalm 119:128).
Another important synonym for God"s law is "word" (Heb. dabar) that I have found23times ( Psalm 119:9; Psalm 119:16-17; Psalm 119:25; Psalm 119:28; Psalm 119:42-43; Psalm 119:49; Psalm 119:57; Psalm 119:65; Psalm 119:74; Psalm 119:81; Psalm 119:89; Psalm 119:101; Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:107; Psalm 119:114; Psalm 119:130; Psalm 119:139; Psalm 119:147; Psalm 119:160-161; Psalm 119:169). It is a general term for God"s revelation that proceeds from His mouth.
A poetical synonym for "word" is "saying" (Heb. "imrah) that the translators have sometimes rendered "promise." It occurs19 times ( Psalm 119:11; Psalm 119:38; Psalm 119:41; Psalm 119:50; Psalm 119:58; Psalm 119:67; Psalm 119:76; Psalm 119:82; Psalm 119:103; Psalm 119:116; Psalm 119:123; Psalm 119:133; Psalm 119:140; Psalm 119:148; Psalm 119:154; Psalm 119:158; Psalm 119:162; Psalm 119:170; Psalm 119:172).
Other responses to God"s Word that the writer mentioned and that occur first in this section are "rejoicing" ( Psalm 119:14; Psalm 119:74; Psalm 119:162), "meditating" ( Psalm 119:15; Psalm 119:23; Psalm 119:27; Psalm 119:48; Psalm 119:78; Psalm 119:97; Psalm 119:99; Psalm 119:148), and "delighting" ( Psalm 119:16; Psalm 119:24; Psalm 119:35; Psalm 119:47; Psalm 119:70; Psalm 119:77; Psalm 119:92; Psalm 119:143; Psalm 119:174).