How Can We Live a Life of Purity?

Verse 12 is nothing less than an Old Testament call to discipleship. It finds a New Testament echo in the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20. Making disciples of all nations means that we teach them everything the risen Lord Jesus has commanded. All of his statutes are for all of his people. The Bible clearly commends godly and gifted teachers for our benefit and edification. However, verse 12 reminds us there is a better Teacher still.

Proclaim the Lord’s Wisdom with Your Words

Psalm 119:13

In verse 12 we were taught the Word. Now in verse 13 we “declare” (ESV) and “proclaim” (CSB) the Word! For all our life, we must verbally “recite aloud” (NLT) all that we hear from the Lord’s mouth. From his mouth to our mouths, the Word of God must resound throughout our lives. We must not neglect any of it. We must proclaim it “all.”

Take note that the judgments, the rules, the regulations we declare are words that come from the “mouth” of God. This verse teaches a theological truth by means of an anthropomorphism. Paul could have had this phrase in mind when he wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is inspired by God.” Here the doctrine of the Bible’s inspiration ascends to the highest level. The logic is clear. A perfect God will only speak perfect words. Thus Thomas Manton (1620–1677), the English Puritan and chaplain to Oliver Cromwell, says,

That which should be declared and taught in the church should not be our own opinions and fancies, but the pure word of God; not the vanity of our thoughts, but the verity of his revelations. (Psalm 119, vol. 1, 109)

Rejoice in the Lord’s Decrees

Psalm 119:14

Verse 14 rings with the sound of celebration as the psalmist reflects on the value of God’s Word. It recalls Psalm 1:2 and anticipates what we will find later in this psalm.

Instruction from your lips is better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. (Ps 119:72)

Since I love your commands more than gold, even the purest gold. (Ps 119:127)

The one who allows the Lord to be his Teacher (v. 12) rejoices in the revelation of God’s decrees. How much does he rejoice? He declares, “As much as in all riches.” In other words, he cannot put a price tag on how valuable God’s Word is to him. Even if he were to collect all the riches in the world, they would pale in comparison. He would not trade God’s Word for anything this world has to offer. His treasure is God, not gold. His treasure is God’s eternal Word, not temporal wealth.

A man will treasure what he delights in (v. 11). A man will also proclaim and speak of that which he delights (v. 13). For the psalmist, it is the Lord (v. 10) and his Word (v. 14). What is it for you and me?

Meditate on the Lord’s Precepts

Psalm 119:15

Verse 15 draws attention to the spiritual discipline of meditation and again recalls Psalm 1:2, where we read that the righteous meditate on God’s Word “day and night.” The psalmist declares that he will “meditate” on the Lord’s “precepts” and that he will “think about [“fix my eyes on” ESV] your ways.” There is an important connection to verse 9 and the way of the psalmist. If followers of Jesus meditate and think about God’s ways, then his ways will become their ways. And because his way is pure, their way will be pure.

Meditating on God’s Word is a lost art in our day that we desperately need to recover. Ross points out that meditation has the idea of “a thoughtful concentration on God’s word,” but it is not limited to that (Psalms, 479). He notes it may also include “musing, talking, or even singing to oneself” God’s Word (ibid.). Spurgeon’s thoughts here are helpful:

He who has an inward delight in anything will not long withdraw his mind from it. As a miser often returns to look upon his treasure, so does the devout believer by frequent meditation turn over the priceless wealth which he has discovered in the book of the Lord. To some men meditation is a task; to the man of cleansed way it is a joy. (Treasury, 161)

Delight in the Lord’s Statutes

Psalm 119:16

In verse 12 we pray, asking the Lord to “teach” us his statutes. Now in verse 16 we declare, “I will delight in your statutes.” What we ask for, we receive. God teaches us. And what we receive, we delight in! We delight in his Word, here called his “statutes.” James Boice says the word “delight” in verse 16 carries the idea of “a settled pleasure” (Psalms 107–150, 981). Delight has followed meditation, which followed treasuring God’s Word more than all riches. God’s Word to the songwriter is a blessing, not a burden. It is his drink, his food, his life. It is his happiness and joy. Adam Clarke said of his delight in God’s Word, “I will skip about and jump for joy” (in Spurgeon, Treasury, 170).

Do Not Forget the Word of God

Psalm 119:16

Because God’s Word is his delight, the songwriter says, “I will not forget” it. After all, “Love for God’s word is love for God” (VanGemeren, Psalms, 863). To honor and fulfill this pledge, there are seven daily, practical applications of this text:

Ross summarizes the psalm so very well:

This “Bet Stanza” has to do with keeping our lives pure by avoiding sin, which is done by knowing the word of God so well that it is always on our minds to correct and to guide us through life. But this is no fixed duty; for the believer the word is like a treasure, more delightful and useful than riches. The Lord is the teacher, his word and his way the lesson, and righteousness the result. (Psalms, 480)

Conclusion

Inside many of the New Testaments distributed by the wonderful Christian organization known as the Gideons, you will also find these sentences:

The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.

Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven is opened, and the gates of Hell disclosed.

Christ is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.

It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

Although God did not inspire those words as he did the Bible, they are inspiring. They beautifully capture the treasure that dwells in us when we allow the Word of God to make itself at home in our hearts. Treasure the Word of God in your heart that you might not sin against your God.

Reflect and Discuss