The Nugget:
Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
My Comment:
The Scriptures are designed for cleansing the ways. As you can see, this truth about the effect of God’s written word was revealed even in Old Testament times. Reading, studying, meditating, and obeying God’s Word in the Bible will cleanse your ways. The Bible more than any other book impacts character. Reading the Bible can bring you to a knowledge and sure possession of salvation and eternal life. It can produce positive change in your character. Bible reading and study makes better people out of us. Want to know how to salvage wayward souls often up to no good in our inner cities? By experience, I know first hand. Reach these young people with the message of the Bible, then encourage them to read the Bible regularly for themselves. When they find Christ as their Savior, they will know it. They will want to reach others they know. That will change the neighborhood and reduce, even eliminate crime. Education alone is not the answer. Education in the Bible is the answer when young people and old seriously read it for themselves to seek guidance from God and find eternal life through faith in Christ. This is not an institutional thing. It is a personal thing. Go to the individuals where they are. Don’t wait for them to find your church. On their own, they may never darken the door of your church. Build personal relationships with them. Get to know them. You will find they are full of Bible and spiritual questions they want answers to! How do you get to know them? Ask God to help you meet just one person to start with that will hear you out once you have developed a friendship with them. One way is to offer to help them with their schoolwork–homework, if they have any. Many students need help in mathematics. If you understand algebra or geometry, you might be able to lend a helping hand. And don’t kid yourself. They all need help in reading. The best readers can learn to read even better. Bible reading and study most definitely raises reading achievement! What ever the need, if you can assist in meeting it, you may have found a friend who will be open to the Gospel. Through that person you may be able to reach some of their friends, or teach them to do so. Often there are certain young people in a neighborhood who have a great many friends. You can tell when there are many friends who come to see them. If you can reach such a young person, they may be the key to reaching many more. The same procedure will work with adults of any age too. Stamp out inner-city crime with the life-changing power of the Gospel found in your Bible.
For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:
(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 627 for Psalm 119:9.
(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 672 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Psalm 119:9.
(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:
Psalm 119:9. shall. *Ps 25:7. 34:11. 39:1. 71:17. 2 Ch 34:3. *Jb 1:5. 13:26. *Pr 1:4, 10. 2:1, 11. 4:1, 10-17. 5:7, etc. Pr 6:20, etc. *Pr 7:7. Ec 11:9, 10. *Ec 12:1. Je 3:4. Lk 15:13. *2 Tim 2:22. Titus 2:4-6. cleanse. T#1045. Ps 19:9, 11, 12. =Ex 30:18. Jn 13:4-10. *Jn 15:3. *Jn 17:17. 2 Cor 7:1. *Ep 5:26, 27. 2 Tim 2:21. *He 10:22. his way. ver. Ps 119:59. 1 K 2:4. Pr 6:22. 20:11. 23:26. by taking heed. ver. **Ps 119:11, **Ps 119:97-105. *Ps 1:1-3. *Ps 17:4. **Ps 19:7-11. 39:1. *Ps 74:4-8. Dt 4:15. 6:6-9. 17:18-20. Jsh 1:7. 2 K 10:31. Ne 13:3. **Pr 4:23. Lk 22:61, 62. **Jn 15:3. 17:17, 19. **2 Tim 3:15-17. He 2:1. James 1:21-25. according to. ver. +Ps 119:25, 154. Ps 103:18. +**2 Tim 3:15-17. thy word. Heb. dabar, S#1697h. ver. Ps 119:16, 17, 25, 28, 42 (twice), Ps 119:43, 49, 57 (plural), Ps 119:65, 74, 81, 89, 101, 105, 107, 114, 130 (plural), Ps 119:139 (plural), Ps 119:147, 160, 161, 169. This word refers to the articulate form of what is said, whether spoken or written; to the mode or manner by which the ipsissima verba are imparted. The first occurrence is in Ge 11:1 (“speech”) (CB, Appendix 73, “The Ten Words of Psalm 119,” page 108). Ps 12:6. 17:4. 18:30. 19:14.
psm 119.9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
by keeping it according to your word.
encouraging cross refs.(the best commentary on the bible is the bible)
1. psm 119.11 Your word i have treasured in my heart, that i may not sin
against You.
2. prov 1.4 To give prudence to the naive, to the youth knowledge and
discretion,
3. prov 1.10 My son, if sinners entice you, Donot consent.
4.prov 4.1 Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, and give attention
that you may gain understanding.
5. prov 5.13 Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is
your life.
6. prov 5.14 Do not enter the path of the wicked and do not proceed in the
way of evil men.
7. prov 5.15 Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on.
8. prov 4.18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That
shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
9. prov 5.7 Now then, my sons, listen to me and do not depart from the
words of my mouth.
10. prov 6.20 My son, observe the commandment of your father and do
not forsake the teaching of your mother; vs 21 Bind them continually on your
heart; Tie them around your neck.
11. prov 7.7 And i saw among the naive, and discerned among the youths A young
man lacking sense.
12. ecc 11.9 Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. and follow the impluses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things.
13. psm 19.11 Moreover,by them your servant is warned; In keeping them there is
great reward.
14. 11 tim 2.22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
15. 11 tim 3.15-17 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. v16 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction,for training in righteousness; v17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
16. jn 15.3 You are already clean because of the word which i have spoken to you.
17. psm 51.10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within
me.
18. prov 4.23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs
of life.