Bible Strands
Psalms 119:9
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses Yahweh within the aleph stanza of the acrostic, turning from a plea (v. 8) to a practical question about how a young man maintains purity.
The words — נַעַר (na'ar) names the subject as a youth, not a generic person; שָׁמַר (shamar) in the infinitive construct (lĕshĕmōr) frames purity as the result of a continuous guarding action, not a one-time decision.
The thread — 2 Timothy 2:22 pairs youthful passion with the call to flee it; James 1:21 ties purity to humbly accepting the implanted word; 2 Timothy 3:15 locates the source of wisdom in Scripture known from infancy.
Why it lands — It collapses the question "how do I stay pure?" into a single, repeatable act: keeping God's word close enough to function as a guard. No special circumstance or temperament is required—only sustained attention to a text.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
ב BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Cross-references
- 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
- James 1:21 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.
- 2 Timothy 3:15 From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
- Joshua 1:7 Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go.
- Psalms 25:7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my rebellious acts; remember me according to Your loving devotion, because of Your goodness, O LORD.
- Psalms 119:11 I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.
- Titus 2:4 In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children,
- Psalms 1:1 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.
- Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them.
- Psalms 34:11 Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.