Words That Win – Psalm 119:9-16

ב BETH [1]

“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word.” Psalm 119:9

The question about cleansing assumes that the young person needs cleansing. [2] On top of the inherited sin in our bloodstream from Adam and Eve, God tells us in Romans 3:23 that there is no difference, we all have sinned and fallen short of His glory. God’s Word in 1 John 1:9 says to young and old people alike, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Confessing our sins to God and receiving His forgiveness cleanses away past sin.

God’s Word [Christ] and the Holy Spirit are reliable cleansers. In Ephesians 5:26, the Lord speaks of washing us with the water of His Word. In Titus 3:5, the Lord speaks of washing us via the regenerating and renewing work of the Holy Spirit.” By His Word and His Spirit, the heavenly Father provides for young people truth and power to live a pure life.

In James 1:22-25, God compares His Word to a mirror that helps us discern which of our ways are like His and which of our ways are not like His. We should continually compare our thoughts, attitudes, and actions with God’s Word. Daily Bible reading and meditation helps us to stay on the path that leads to eternal life.

Many young people go astray because they live without any standard or follow standards that are false. [3] In 2 Timothy 2:22, Paul warned young people to flee from “youthful lusts” and to “pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

Those who walk in God’s ways enjoy a clear conscience, a good reputation, and they avoid the undesirable consequences that sin produces.

“With my whole heart I have sought You. O, let me not wander from Your commandments!” Psalm 119:10

David did not seek God casually or half-heartedly. He really wanted to know and be close with God. He asked God not to let him drift away from the pathway of His commandments. He set a good example for us. The human heart is easily distracted. William Booth warned his listeners, saying, “The tendency of fire is to go out. Watch the fire on the altar of your heart. Anyone who has tended a fireplace fire knows that it needs to be stirred up occasionally.”

“Your Word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11

What did David do with God’s Word and why did he do it? He stored God’s Word in his heart. He understood that sin wanted to ruin him. God’s Word helped him win.

Jesus overcame the devil’s temptations in the wilderness by having God’s Word in His heart. Every time the devil tempted Jesus to sin against God, Jesus quoted a Scripture verse to the devil and then He held fast to it.

How did the devil overcome Eve in the Garden of Eden? In Genesis 3:4-5, the devil portrayed God as a liar and deceiver and himself as a truth-teller. He told Eve, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” At that point, Eve switched sides. In Genesis 3:6, she looked at what God told her not to eat, “it was pleasant to the eyes” and “desirable to make one wise.” Then, Eve took it and ate it, and gave it to Adam as well.

To store God’s Word in one’s heart is to memorize it so that you can quote it accurately in a moment’s notice. In Ephesians 6:17, the Word of God is called the sword of the Spirit. If you have it in you, the Holy Spirit can pull it out of you and strike the enemy down with it.

If Scripture is only in our homes, it can be lost or taken. If it is only in our minds, it can be forgotten. When the Word of God is in our heart, it is part of who we are. [4]

“Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes.” Psalm 119:12

God is the source of all blessing. So, David did not attempt to teach God anything. No, he asked God to teach him how to serve and honor Him. David’s prayer had two parts, first praise and then petition. [5] God is the greatest teacher of all teachers. As David approached God, first he acknowledged who God is and then, he humbly asked God to teach him.

“With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth.” Psalm 119:13

After God instructed David, he did not keep what he learned from God to himself, he talked about it, wrote about it and even composed songs about it. [6] As a king, a prophet, a husband and father, David used his daily interactions with those around him to glorify the Lord. He was so filled with God’s Word that it naturally came out in his speech.

“I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches.” Psalm 119:14

David loved God’s testimonies as much as all riches. Testimonies spring forth from God’s mighty deeds among us. David was an eyewitness of God’s miracles. God caused David’s sling stone to hit and kill the giant Goliath. Prior to that, God helped David to kill a lion and a bear. These testimonies were like money in the bank. They helped David to walk boldly with God.

“I will meditate on Your precepts and contemplate Your ways.” Psalm 119:15

David spoke God’s Word publicly and reflected on it privately. He carefully considered what God had said so that it would shape his life. Just as a traveler watches a road to stay on course, David kept his eyes on the Lord so as not veer off from following Him. [7]

“I will delight myself in Your statutes. I will not forget Your Word.” Psalm 119:16

A personal relationship with God via His Word is a delight. Those who meditate on Scripture and delight in it will not forget it. When God’s Word fills one’s heart, obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden. [8] Praise the Lord!



[1] The following information is derived from Googles sources and Bible Gateway: “Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem. It contains 176 verses divided into 22 sections. Each section is named after one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Instead of just one line per letter, all eight verses in a given section begin with that specific letter. For example, verses 9–16 start with the Beth (ב), and this exact pattern continues sequentially all the way through the final letter, Tau (ת).

בַּמֶּ֣ה יְזַכֶּה־נַּ֭עַר אֶת־אָרְח֑וֹ לִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃
בְּכָל־לִבִּ֥י דְרַשְׁתִּ֑יךָ אַל־תַּ֝שְׁגֵּ֗נִי מִמִּצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃
בְּ֭לִבִּי צָפַ֣נְתִּי אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ לְ֝מַ֗עַן לֹ֣א אֶֽחֱטָא־לָֽךְ׃
בָּר֖וּךְ אַתָּ֥ה יְהוָ֗ה לַמְּדֵ֥נִי חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃
בִּשְׂפָתַ֥י סִפַּ֑רְתִּי כֹּ֝֗ל מִשְׁפְּטֵי־פִֽיךָ׃
בְּדֶ֖רֶךְ עֵדְוֺתֶ֥יךָ שַׂ֗שְׂתִּי כְּעַ֣ל כָּל־הֽוֹן׃
בְּפִקֻּדֶ֥יךָ אָשִׂ֑יחָה וְ֝אַבִּ֗יטָה אֹרְחֹתֶֽיךָ׃
בְּחֻקֹּתֶ֥יךָ אֶֽשְׁתַּעֲשָׁ֑ע לֹ֭א אֶשְׁכַּ֣ח דְּבָרֶֽךָ׃

Beth (ב) was originally the symbol for house.

[2-8] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary