THE WASHING OFGOD’S WORDPsalm 119:9-16

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek

you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up

your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you,

O Lord; teach me your statutes! 13 With my lips I declare all the rules of your

mouth. 14 In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all

riches. 15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 16 I will delight in your statutes; I will

not forget your word.

9 How can a young man

keep his way pure? By

guarding it according to your word.

GUARDINGIn order NOT to

be defiled by sinful desires

1Let the word of God guard our MIND from the philosophies and ideas of the world.

2Let the word of God guard our HEART against the lure and temptation of worldly desires.

3Let the word of God guard our WILL against independence, rebellion and rejection.

10 With my whole heart I

seek you; let me not wander from

your commandments!

SEEKINGIn order NOT to wander away from God’s

commandments

1 Let us seek God DEVOTIONALLY so that we will walk in the ways of God in INTIMACY.

2 Let us seek God DEEPLY so that we will walk in the ways of God in UPRIGHTNESS.

3 Let us seek God DIRECTIONALLY so that we will walk in the ways of God with PURPOSEFULNESS.

11 I have stored up

your word in my heart,

that I might not sin

against you.

STORINGIn order NOT to sin against God

1 CAREFUL STUDY of God’s Word is the pathway to understand the Holy One of Israel.

2 INTENTIONAL STUDY of God’s Word is the foundation of holy living.

3 DISCIPLINED STUDY of God’s Word is the beach-head for the defense of Christian faith.

12 Blessed are you, O Lord;

teach me your

statutes!

LEARNINGIn order NOT to be ignorant of

the truth.

1 Learning the Truth is needed for the development of GODLY WISDOM.

2 Learning the Truth is needed for SPIRITUAL FREEDOM

13 With my lips I declare all the

rules of your mouth. 14 In

the way of your testimonies I

delight as much as in all

riches.

DECLARINGIn order NOT to

be trapped in corrupt

communication

1 Knowing the Word of God aids us in declaring our TESTIMONY to the unbelieving world.

2 Knowing the Word of God prepares us in declaring GOD’S GRACE to the poor and the needy.

3 Knowing the Word of God assists us in declaring GOD’S TRUTH faithfully and reasonably.

15 I will meditate on

your precepts and fix my

eyes on your ways.

MEDITATINGIn order NOT to be distracted by

the things of the world

1 Meditating on God’s Word will give us STRENGTH in times of weariness.

2 Meditating on God’s Word will give us FOCUS on the love of the Trinity – Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

3 Meditating on God’s Word will give us DISCERNMENT of the will of God.

4 Meditating on God’s Word will give us SUBMISSION to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

16 I will delight in

your statutes; I

will not forget your

word.

DELIGHTINGIn order NOT

to forget God’s Word

1 Delighting in God’s Word is akin to REMEMBERING the goodness of God.

2 Delighting in God’s Word is akin to WORSHIPPING His Majesty.

3 Delighting in God’s Word is akin to CHERISHING the word, the works, and the ways of God.