CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/119-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/19_Psa_119_009.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 119:9 - Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/119-9.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/119-9.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/119.htm">Chapter 119</a> > Verse 9</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/119-8.htm" title="Psalm 119:8">◄</a> Psalm 119:9 <a href="/psalms/119-10.htm" title="Psalm 119:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/119.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/119.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/119.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/119.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/119.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/119.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed <i>thereto</i> according to thy word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/119.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/119.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping <i>it</i> according to Your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/119.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/119.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping <i>it</i> according to Thy word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/119.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping <i>it</i> according to Your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/119.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/119.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/119.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping Your word. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/119.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />? BETH. Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/119.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Young people can live a clean life by obeying your word. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/119.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/119.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />How can a young person keep his life pure? [He can do it] by holding on to your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/119.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />How can young people keep their lives pure? By obeying your commands. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/119.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />How can a young man keep his behavior pure? By guarding it in accordance with your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/119.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/119.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />How can a young person maintain a pure life? By guarding it according to your instructions! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/119.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />BET. How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/119.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />BETH. Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed to it, according to thy word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/119.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />BETH How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/119.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />[BETH] With what does a young man purify his path? To observe—according to Your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/119.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Beth. With what doth a young man purify his path? To observe -- according to Thy word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/119.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />In what shall a youth cleanse his way? To watch according to thy word.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/119.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />[BETH] By what doth a young man correct his way? by observing thy words. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/119.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 118:9>BETH. By what does an adolescent correct his way? By keeping to your words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/119.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />How can the young keep his way without fault? Only by observing your words. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/119.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />How can young people keep their way pure? By guarding it according to your word.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/119.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />BETH. With what shall a young man cleanse his way in order that he may observe thy commandments?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/119.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Beth With what does a boy purify his way to keep your commandments?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/119.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Wherewithal shall a young man keep his way pure? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/119.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Wherewith shall a young man direct his way? by keeping thy words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/119-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=15005" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/119.htm">Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>I will keep Your statutes; do not utterly forsake me. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: bam·meh (Prep-b:: Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">How</a> <a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: na·‘ar (N-ms) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl.">can a young man</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/734.htm" title="734: ’ā·rə·ḥōw (N-csc:: 3ms) -- A way, path. From 'arach; a well-trodden road; also a caravan.">keep his way</a> <a href="/hebrew/2135.htm" title="2135: yə·zak·keh- (V-Piel-Imperf-3ms) -- To be clear, clean or pure. A primitive root; to be translucent; figuratively, to be innocent.">pure?</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: liš·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">By guarding it</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: kiḏ·ḇā·re·ḵā (Prep-k:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">according to Your word.</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23</a></span><br />Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-21.htm">James 1:21-22</a></span><br />Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls. / Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-16.htm">2 Timothy 3:16-17</a></span><br />All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-3.htm">John 15:3</a></span><br />You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-26.htm">Ephesians 5:26</a></span><br />to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/1-8.htm">Joshua 1:8</a></span><br />This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-16.htm">Colossians 3:16</a></span><br />Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-22.htm">1 Peter 1:22-23</a></span><br />Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart. / For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/1-1.htm">Psalm 1:1-2</a></span><br />Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. / But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-4.htm">Matthew 4:4</a></span><br />But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-12.htm">Hebrews 4:12</a></span><br />For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a></span><br />Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-1.htm">Proverbs 3:1-2</a></span><br />My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; / for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/17-17.htm">John 17:17</a></span><br />Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/4-12.htm">1 Timothy 4:12</a></span><br />Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to your word.</p><p class="hdg">shall</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/25-7.htm">Psalm 25:7</a></b></br> Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/34-11.htm">Psalm 34:11</a></b></br> Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/1-5.htm">Job 1:5</a></b></br> And it was so, when the days of <i>their</i> feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings <i>according</i> to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.</p><p class="hdg">by taking</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/119-11.htm">Psalm 119:11,97-105</a></b></br> Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/1-1.htm">Psalm 1:1-3</a></b></br> Blessed <i>is</i> the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/19-7.htm">Psalm 19:7-11</a></b></br> The law of the LORD <i>is</i> perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD <i>is</i> sure, making wise the simple… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/nehemiah/12-29.htm">BETH</a> <a href="/psalms/77-8.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/psalms/51-7.htm">Cleanse</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/9-23.htm">Guarding</a> <a href="/psalms/107-7.htm">Guiding</a> <a href="/psalms/107-43.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/job/38-13.htm">It</a> <a href="/psalms/119-5.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/psalms/119-8.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/psalms/73-13.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/psalms/51-7.htm">Purify</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/21-11.htm">Thereto</a> <a href="/psalms/119-1.htm">Way</a> <a href="/psalms/109-19.htm">Wherewith</a> <a href="/matthew/6-31.htm">Wherewithal</a> <a href="/psalms/119-2.htm">Word</a> <a href="/psalms/114-6.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/6-1.htm">BETH</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-4.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-30.htm">Cleanse</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-8.htm">Guarding</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-25.htm">Guiding</a> <a href="/psalms/142-6.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-2.htm">It</a> <a href="/psalms/119-25.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/psalms/119-17.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/psalms/119-127.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/isaiah/52-11.htm">Purify</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-22.htm">Thereto</a> <a href="/psalms/119-14.htm">Way</a> <a href="/psalms/119-42.htm">Wherewith</a> <a href="/matthew/6-31.htm">Wherewithal</a> <a href="/psalms/119-11.htm">Word</a> <a href="/psalms/127-4.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 119</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-1.htm">This psalm contains various prayers, praises, and professions of obedience.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-2.htm">Aleph.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-9.htm">Beth</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-17.htm">Gimel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-25.htm">Daleth</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-33.htm">He</a></span><br><span class="reftext">41. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-41.htm">Waw</a></span><br><span class="reftext">49. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-49.htm">Zayin</a></span><br><span class="reftext">57. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-57.htm">Heth</a></span><br><span class="reftext">65. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-65.htm">Teth</a></span><br><span class="reftext">73. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-73.htm">Yodh</a></span><br><span class="reftext">81. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-81.htm">Kaph</a></span><br><span class="reftext">89. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-89.htm">Lamedh</a></span><br><span class="reftext">97. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-97.htm">Mem</a></span><br><span class="reftext">105. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-105.htm">Nun</a></span><br><span class="reftext">113. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-113.htm">Samekh</a></span><br><span class="reftext">121. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-121.htm">Ayin</a></span><br><span class="reftext">129. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-129.htm">Pe</a></span><br><span class="reftext">137. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-137.htm">Tsadhe</a></span><br><span class="reftext">145. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-145.htm">Qoph</a></span><br><span class="reftext">153. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-153.htm">Resh</a></span><br><span class="reftext">161. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-161.htm">Sin and Shin</a></span><br><span class="reftext">169. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-169.htm">Taw</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/psalms/119.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>How can a young man keep his way pure?</b><br />This opening phrase poses a question that resonates with the universal struggle for purity and righteousness, especially among the youth. The Hebrew word for "young man" is "na'ar," which can refer to a boy, lad, or servant, indicating a stage of life characterized by vigor and potential but also vulnerability to temptation. The term "keep" is translated from "shamar," meaning to guard, protect, or preserve, suggesting an active, vigilant effort. "Way" comes from "derek," which signifies a path or journey, symbolizing one's life conduct. "Pure" is derived from "zakah," meaning to be clean or clear, both morally and ceremonially. This phrase sets the stage for a discussion on the importance of intentionality and discipline in maintaining moral integrity.<p><b>By guarding it according to Your word</b><br />The answer to the question is found in this phrase, emphasizing the necessity of divine guidance. "Guarding" again uses the Hebrew "shamar," reinforcing the idea of diligent protection. The phrase "according to Your word" highlights the centrality of Scripture in the pursuit of purity. "Word" is translated from "dabar," which can mean speech, matter, or thing, but in this context, it refers to God's revealed will and commandments. This underscores the belief that the Bible is not just a historical document but a living guide for righteous living. The phrase suggests that adherence to God's word is not merely a passive acceptance but an active, conscious alignment of one's life with divine principles.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/119.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>BETH.</span><p>(9) <span class= "bld">Wherewithal.</span>--There can be little question that the right rendering of this verse is <span class= "ital">By what means can a young man purify his way, so as to keep it according to Thy word? </span>but from <a href="/joshua/6-18.htm" title="And you, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest you make yourselves accursed, when you take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.">Joshua 6:18</a> we might render <span class= "ital">keep himself. </span>The English rendering, which follows the LXX. and Vulg. is, of course, possible, but the other is more natural and more in accordance with the general drift of the psalm. The answer is supposed, or rather left to be inferred, from the whole tenor of the psalm, which is that men, and especially-young men, whose passions and temptations are strong in proportion to their inexperience, can do nothing of themselves, but are dependent on the grace of God. The omission of a direct answer rather strengthens than impairs the impression on the reader.<p>We must not, from the mention of youth, conclude that this psalm was written in that period of life. Perhaps, on the contrary, it is one who, like Browning's Rabbi ben Ezra, while seeking how best to spend old age, looks back on youth, not with remonstrance at its follies, but with the satisfaction that even then he aimed at the best he knew.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/119.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way</span>? It does not follow from this inquiry that the writer is a "young man" - rather the reverse. He is anxious to give advice to young men, which is naturally the part of one somewhat advanced in life. <span class="cmt_word">By taking heed thereto, according to thy Word.</span> This is the answer to the question raised in clause 1. By looking to God's Word, and guiding himself thereby, the young man may "cleanse his way" - not otherwise. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/119-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">How</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּמֶּ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(bam·meh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can a young man</span><br /><span class="heb">נַּ֭עַר</span> <span class="translit">(na·‘ar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> </span><span class="str2">A boy, lad, youth, retainer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">keep his way</span><br /><span class="heb">אָרְח֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·rə·ḥōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_734.htm">Strong's 734: </a> </span><span class="str2">A well-trodden road, a caravan</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pure?</span><br /><span class="heb">יְזַכֶּה־</span> <span class="translit">(yə·zak·keh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2135.htm">Strong's 2135: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be translucent, to be innocent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">By guarding it</span><br /><span class="heb">לִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר</span> <span class="translit">(liš·mōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">according to Your word.</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(kiḏ·ḇā·re·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/119-9.htm">Psalm 119:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/119-9.htm">Psalm 119:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/119-9.htm">Psalm 119:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/119-9.htm">Psalm 119:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/119-9.htm">Psalm 119:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/119-9.htm">Psalm 119:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/119-9.htm">Psalm 119:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/119-9.htm">Psalm 119:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/119-9.htm">Psalm 119:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/119-9.htm">Psalm 119:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/119-9.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 119:9 How can a young man keep his (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/119-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 119:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 119:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/119-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 119:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 119:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>