How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes!
With my lips I declare
all the rules of your mouth.
In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
– Psalm 119:9-16
Allen P. Ross writes:
This [section of Psalm 119] has to do with keeping our lives pure by avoiding sin, which is done by knowing the word of God so well that it is always on our minds to correct and to guide us through life. But this is no [dry and dusty] duty; for the believer the word is like a treasure, more delightful and useful than riches. The LORD is the teacher, His word and His way the lesson, and righteousness the result. The summary statement would be: Because the word of God is the means by which the faithful maintain purity in life, they desire to learn more from God and enjoy meditating in his word. The point of this stanza is reflected in the prayer of Jesus for us: “Sanctify them by your truth; Your word is truth.” The apostle Paul also reminds us that the righteous are those who hear the word of God and do it (Romans 2:13). … As we learn more and more from the word of God and put it into practice, we will become aware of sins that need to be overcome, and righteous practices that need to be incorporated. Through this process we will be able to maintain a righteous way of life.
MEMORY WORK – Shorter Catechism Q/A 81
Q. 81. What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?
A. The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbor, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his.