Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 119:9

"Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed [thereto] according to thy word." — Psalms 119:9 (ASV)

Wherewithal - This begins the second portion of the psalm, extending to Psalms 119:16, in which all the verses begin with the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet (ב b), indicated in our translation by the word Beth. These names of the letters, inserted for convenience, are no part of the psalm, as it is not marked that way in the original. This method of indicating the divisions of the psalm is special to our version.

It is not in the Septuagint, the Latin Vulgate, or the German versions. The word "wherewithal" means “by what” (Hebrew); that is, what means should a young man adopt by which he may cleanse his way? This indicates a state of inquiry.

The scenario envisioned is that of a young man pondering the question of how he may be saved from the corruptions of his own heart, escape the temptations to which he is exposed in early years, and lead a pure and upright life. There can be no more important inquiry for one just entering the journey of life; nowhere can a more just and comprehensive answer be found than what is contained in this single verse.

All the precepts of ancient and modern wisdom, all the teachings of pagan morality and religion, and all the results of the experience of humankind, could furnish nothing in addition to what is here suggested. The world has no higher wisdom than this by which to guide a young man, so that he may lead a holy life.

Shall a young man - The remark here might also be applied to those in middle life, or even to those in more advanced years.

However, it is applied here especially to the young. This is because, in the other cases, it may be supposed that the matter is regarded as settled by experience. Additionally, for the young, as they begin life, the inquiry is so momentous. Furthermore, it is a question that, one may suppose, will come before the mind of every young man who has any proper aspirations and any true conception of the dangers that encompass his path.

Cleanse his way? - Make his course of life pure and upright. The language does not necessarily imply that there had been any previous impurity or vice, but it has particular reference to the future: not how he might cleanse himself from past offenses, but how he might make the future pure. The inquiry is how he might conduct himself—what principles he could adopt—under what influence he could bring himself—so that his future course would be honest, honorable, upright.

By taking heed thereto ... - The word “thereto” is not in the original. The Hebrew is, To keep according to thy word; or, in keeping according to thy word.

Professor Alexander supposes that this means to keep it (his way) according to thy word; and that the whole is a question: How may a young man so cleanse his way as to keep it according to thy word? In his view, the answer to this question is to be found in the general message of the psalm, or in the general principles set forth in the psalm.

But it is clear that the answer to the question must be found in the verse itself, or not found at all; and the most natural construction is that in our translation. So DeWette renders it: How can a young man walk guiltless? If (or, when) he holds (or, keeps) himself according to thy word.

The meaning clearly is: if he governs himself according to the law of God—if he makes that law the rule of his life and conduct—he would be enabled to do it.

All other things might fail; this rule would never fail in making and keeping a man pure. Principles of common honesty, principles of honor, considerations of self-interest, the desire for reputation—valuable as they may be—would not constitute a security for his conduct; the law of God would, because it is wholly pure.