9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! 13 With my lips I declare all the rules (the just decrees) of your mouth. 14 In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. Psalm 119:9-16 English Standard Version

Though written by a man and using male terminology, this Psalm expresses the desire of any man or woman who truly fears God. There’s a deep longing for a lifestyle that is pure. (vs 9) The fact that he has such a longing shows he is someone who already loves God. His desire to be pure isn't because he hopes to save himself that way, but because he longs to be pleasing in God's eyes. The apostle Paul encouraged Christians to do the same. He calls us to turn from the immorality, greed, and crude conversations, so common in the world, and to “try and discern what is pleasing to the Lord”. (Ephesians 5:10) So what did the Psalm writer see as the best way to living a live that is pure and pleasing to God? (vs 9 & vs 11)

He turned to God's word to show him the safe path to travel so that he would not be destroyed by the temptations which our world is so full of. He didn't expect God to zap him with some experience that would make him instantly perfect. I suspect that, like me, many who read this may have wished such a thing could happen! But what did the writer realize that living a pure life in this world will require? (vs 10)

It will require wholehearted commitment. Think of the discipline and dedication people put into sports in order to win first prize – even though it's a prize that will fade away. The believer's prize continues through eternity.

So it's not a matter of reading the Bible now and then, a few quick verses when we wake up or before we go to bed. How did the Psalm writer go about learning from God's word? (vs 11)

He stored God's word up in his heart! This may have included trying to memorize as much as he could, but it certainly meant making an effort to understand it with the intention of applying it in every part of his life. So in vs 12 he asks God to teach him as he read the word, and in vs 15 he says he will meditate on what he has read. Even when we're reading parts of the Bible we know quite well, it's still a good policy to pray and ask God to enable us to understand it fully, and then to ponder over it for a while. What is the attitude of heart we need for God's word to play this vital role in our life of leading us to purity? (vs 14)

Being right with God, and being pleasing in His eyes, must be more valuable to us than any riches this world has to offer. Having God's wisdom to guide us through life is worth far more than becoming famous through one of the popular talent shows on TV, or winning the big prize in a national lottery.

Apart from not forgetting God's word, mentioned in vs 16, what's the other important thing he says about it in vs 13?

It’s something he would not be afraid or ashamed to speak about. Once again, Paul encouraged Christians to do the same. He said “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom.” (Colossians 3:15) Discussing God's word often among ourselves is a big way for Christians to encourage one another in the way of purity. How is it with our life today? Is purity a priority in my life? Are we using the tool God has given us to guard our lives through the temptations we are sure to encounter? May it be so.