Psalms 119:9-16

2. The cleansing power of God’s Word 119:9-16

A person can cleanse his or her conduct by obeying the Word of God (Psalms 119:9). The writer testified that he had internalized and delighted in God’s Word to maintain moral purity (Psalms 119:10-14). He made it a practice to think about God’s revelation continually (Psalms 119:15-16).

"The act of ’hiding’ God’s word is not to be limited to the memorization of individual texts or even whole passages but extends to a holistic living in devotion to the Lord (cf. Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Deuteronomy 30:14; Jeremiah 31:33)." [Note: Ibid., p. 740.]

"Clearly this psalm probes beyond the simplistic formulation of Psalms 1. A life of full obedience is not a conclusion of faith. It is a beginning point and an access to a life filled with many-sided communion with God." [Note: Brueggemann, p. 41.]

The word "path" (Heb. ’orah) is a synonym for "way." It occurs five times in this psalm (Psalms 119:9; Psalms 119:15; Psalms 119:101; Psalms 119:104; Psalms 119:128).

Another important synonym for God’s law is "word" (Heb. dabar) that I have found 23 times (Psalms 119:9; Psalms 119:16-17; Psalms 119:25; Psalms 119:28; Psalms 119:42-43; Psalms 119:49; Psalms 119:57; Psalms 119:65; Psalms 119:74; Psalms 119:81; Psalms 119:89; Psalms 119:101; Psalms 119:105; Psalms 119:107; Psalms 119:114; Psalms 119:130; Psalms 119:139; Psalms 119:147; Psalms 119:160-161; Psalms 119:169). It is a general term for God’s revelation that proceeds from His mouth.

A poetical synonym for "word" is "saying" (Heb. ’imrah) that the translators have sometimes rendered "promise." It occurs 19 times (Psalms 119:11; Psalms 119:38; Psalms 119:41; Psalms 119:50; Psalms 119:58; Psalms 119:67; Psalms 119:76; Psalms 119:82; Psalms 119:103; Psalms 119:116; Psalms 119:123; Psalms 119:133; Psalms 119:140; Psalms 119:148; Psalms 119:154; Psalms 119:158; Psalms 119:162; Psalms 119:170; Psalms 119:172).

Other responses to God’s Word that the writer mentioned and that occur first in this section are "rejoicing" (Psalms 119:14; Psalms 119:74; Psalms 119:162), "meditating" (Psalms 119:15; Psalms 119:23; Psalms 119:27; Psalms 119:48; Psalms 119:78; Psalms 119:97; Psalms 119:99; Psalms 119:148), and "delighting" (Psalms 119:16; Psalms 119:24; Psalms 119:35; Psalms 119:47; Psalms 119:70; Psalms 119:77; Psalms 119:92; Psalms 119:143; Psalms 119:174).