Reading the Word

Psalm 119:9–16 (ESV)

⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. ¹⁰ With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! ¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. ¹² Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! ¹³ With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. ¹⁴ In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. ¹⁵ I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. ¹⁶ I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

Understanding and Applying the Word

In this passage we find a well-known verse that reads, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” The psalmist is concerned with living life God’s way. He desires to keep his way pure, not wander, and fix his eyes on God’s ways. He will do this by meditating on God’s word and never forgetting it.

Do you delight in the word of God? The psalmist speaks of delighting in God’s testimonies as much as in all riches. We may be quick to agree with this statement, but how many of us truly live like the word of God is the most valuable thing to us? What we spend our time on is a good indicator of what is important to us. How much time do we spend in God’s word? Can we really, truly say that we delight in it?

**Shaped by the Word is a daily Bible reading devotional. Please use the links at the bottom to subscribe to this page. You can also share this post with your friends through social media using the buttons below. Thanks for reading!