Psalm 119:9-16

Introduction:

1. Psalm 119 extols the grandeur of God’s word, law, statutes, etc.

2. The aim of the whole is a blameless walk in that law (vs. 1).

3. The section presently in view stresses the need to and impact of internalizing God’s word in our hearts.

Discussion:

I. The Need for Purity

A. The blessedness proclaimed here belongs to those who are “undefiled” (KJV, NKJV); “blameless” (ESV, NASB, NIV, NRSV).

B. Holiness is the purpose of God’s people (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15-16).

C. This section of Psalm 119 raises the question of how to be pure.

II. The Source of Purity

A. The answer is easily known but not as easily applied.

B. We must take heed according to God’s word (vs. 9).

C. Heed: “keep watch and ward, guard” (BDB); “look narrowly, hedge about, preserve” (Strong).

D. Internalizing God’s word guards against sin (vs. 11).

III. The Pursuit of Purity

A. With so many worldly distractions, our whole heart must be set on the pursuit of the Lord (vs. 10).

B. His word and ways are the object of our meditation and contemplation (vs. 15).

C. This way of life demands we view God’s word as a source of rejoicing and delight (vv. 14, 16, 24, 35, 47, 70, 72, 77, 92; Psalms 19:9-10; Jeremiah 15:16; Matthew 13:44; Acts 17:11).

Conclusion:

1. Our chief interest is to walk blamelessly in the law of our great God.

2. We cannot walk in a law which we do not know.

3. We cannot know His law without internalizing it by careful study.

4. We will not engage that study without the proper view of His will.

5. May we find our delight in the law of the Lord and gain its blessings!