Psalms 119 · Verse 9

Psalms 119:9

ב BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Psalms 119:9, King James Version

Psalms 119:9 in other translations

BSB	How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.
WEB	How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
ASV	Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
YLT	Beth. With what doth a young man purify his path? To observe--according to Thy word.
DARBY	BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his path? by taking heed according to thy word.
BBE	How may a young man make his way clean? by guiding it after your word.
Webster	BETH. Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed to it, according to thy word.

What does Psalms 119:9 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

9. The whole verse may be read as a question; for, by taking heed--is better, "for" taking heed, that is, so as to do it. The answer is implied, and inferable from Psa 119:5, 10, 18, &c., that is, by God's grace.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 9 A young man cleanse his way - ארח orach, which we translate way here, signifies a track, a rut, such as is made by the wheel of a cart or chariot. A young sinner has no broad beaten path; he has his private ways of offense, his secret pollutions: and how shall he be cleansed from these? how can he be saved from what will destroy mind, body, and soul? Let him hear what follows; the description is from God. 1. He is to consider that his way is impure; and how abominable this must make him appear in the sight of God. 2. He must examine it according to God's word, and carefully hear what God has said concerning him and it. 3. He must take heed to it, לשמר lishmor, to keep guard, and preserve his way - his general course of life, from all defilement.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 119:9-16

To original corruption all have added actual sin. The ruin of the young is either living by no rule at all, or choosing false rules: let them walk by Scripture rules. To doubt of our own wisdom and strength, and to depend upon God, proves the purpose of holiness is sincere. God's word is treasure worth laying up, and there is no laying it up safe but in our hearts, that we may oppose God's precepts to the dominion of sin, his promises to its allurements, and his threatenings to its violence. Let this be our plea with Him to teach us his statutes, that, being partakers of his holiness, we may also partake of his blessedness. And those whose hearts are fed with the bread of life, should with their lips feed many. In the way of God's commandments there is the unsearchable riches of Christ. But we do not meditate on God's precepts to good purpose, unless our good thoughts produce good works. I will not only think of thy statutes, but do them with delight. And it will be well to try the sincerity of our obedience by tracing the spring of it; the reality of our love by cheerfulness in appointed duties.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Psalms 119:9 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

בַּמֶּ֣הba.Meh<in> how?H4100

יְזַכֶּה\־ye.za.keh-will he keep pureH2135

נַּ֭עַרNa.'ara youthH5288

אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853

אָרְח֑וֹ'a.re.Chopath hisH734

לִ֝שְׁמֹ֗רlish.Morby keeping [it]H8104

כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ\׃kid.va.Re.khaaccording to word yourH1697

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 119:9

2 Timothy 2:22
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
James 1:21-25
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. …
2 Timothy 3:15-17
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Joshua 1:7
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Psalms 25:7
Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O Lord.
Psalms 119:11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Titus 2:4-6
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
Psalms 1:1-3
Blessed is 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. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Proverbs 1:10
My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
Psalms 34:11
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Psalms 19:7-11
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. …
Psalms 119:97-105
מ MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

BETH
shall.
25:7; 34:11; Job 1:5; 13:26; Pr 1:4,10; 4:1,10-17; 5:7-23; 6:20-35
Pr 7:7; Ec 11:9,10; 12:1; Lu 15:13; 2Ti 2:22; Tit 2:4-6
by taking.
11,97-105; 1:1-3; 19:7-11; 78:4-8; De 6:6-9; 17:18; Jos 1:7
Joh 15:3; 2Ti 3:15-17; Jas 1:21-25

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Psalms 119:8
I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
Psalms 119:9
ב BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Psalms 119:10
With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

Read all of Psalms 119

Psalms 119:9 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	BETH ¿Con qué limpiará el joven su camino? Con guardar tu palabra.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Comment un jeune homme rendra-t-il pure sa voie? Ce sera en y prenant garde selon ta parole.
German Elberfelder 1871	Wodurch wird ein Jüngling seinen Pfad in Reinheit wandeln? Indem er sich bewahrt nach deinem Worte.