How Shall the Young Man Cleanse His Way

1

Introduction:

1). Basic Info About

It Is the Immortal Psalm About God’s Word

It is An Acrostic Psalm

It Consists of 22 Strophes or Paragraphs

Each Strophe Consist of Eight Verses

The Eight Verses All Start With the Same Letter of the Hebrew Alphabet

Ex. Verses 1-8 all start with Aleph, verses 9-16 all start with beth, verses 17-24 all start with gimel

2) Uses At Least 8 Synonyms to Describe God’s Word

a) Law -25 times

b) Testimonies - 22 times

c) Ways - 2 times

d) Precepts - 21 times

e) Statues - 22 times

f) Commandments - 21 times

g) Judgments (rules, ESV) - 17 times

h) Word(s) - 42 times

i) Ordinances (rules, ESV) - 2 Times

I. The Question

A. Different Translations

ESV – “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.”

NASB – “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.”

HCSB – “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping Your word.”

NIV - “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.”

B. Youth Is A Time of Great Challenges and Temptations

C. Youth Is A Very Critical Time

II. The Answer

A. “By Taking Heed According to Your Word”

“Taking Heed” – Guard, Hedge About, or Protect, to Keep

NASB – “by keeping it”; ESV – “by guarding it”

- “kept” same as “take heed”

B. “With My Whole Heart I Have Sought Thee”

Whole Heart – Sincere, Single-minded Devotion

God Demands/Expects Whole Hearted Service

,

All That Matters Is My Service to God -

Divided Allegiance Leads One Away from God

Israel’s sin was a divided heart –

How many young men have failed to maintain purity because of divided allegiance?

C. “Your Word I Have Hidden In My Heart”

Hidden - to hide, treasure, treasure or store up

God’s Word Is Hidden and Treasured in Our Heart

;

– “word of Christ dwell in you richly”

“That I Might Not Sin Against You”

: - Christ

D. “Teach Me Your Statues”

He Had Hid the Word in His Heart, But There Was More To Learn

Often Young People Think They Know Everything

Always Room for Growth – Always More to Learn

– (ESV, NASB – v. 8 – “are increasing”)

E. “I Have Rejoiced…”/ “I Will Delight…”

Psalmist Understood God’s Word Was for His Good and Made for the Best Life

When One Views the Commands of God as too Oppressive/Restrictive Then Doomed to Fail

F. “I Will Meditate on Your Precepts…”

Meditate – “muse, study, ponder, consider, to put forth”

Meditate Day and Night – ;

Meditation Suggest Self-examination –

;

Conclusion:

1) This psalm contains great advice for young and old alike.

2) If you want to stay faithful to God then heed its warning