Psalm 119:9-16 “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”
Text Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
We are daily bombarded with choices in life; crossroads that are not to be taken lightly! We are mindful that every choice brings with it consequences. The Psalmist places before us a choice that he has made! It is a spiritual choice and it is a smart choice! In verse 11 the Psalmist reveals four right things! There is the right principle, “thy word.” There is but one principle worthy of governing our life and it is the Word of God! It is an eternal principle, “one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18). It is an enlightening principle, “Thy word is a lamp” (Psalm 119:105). There is the right practice, “have I hid.” If the Word of God is to be that guiding principle, then it must be given access to his life. Its worth is not only revealed in appreciation, but application. There is the right place, “in mine heart.” Reference to the heart means the will, the intellect, the very center of everything. The Word has total access to his life. There is the right purpose, “that I might not sin against thee.” While the psalmist is deeply concerned with sin, he is more concerned with the Sovereign. Sin was held in check because of concern for the character of God and not the fear of combat with God. Many are more concerned with the punishment of God than they are the person of God. The Psalmist has made a wise choice because it’s the right thing to do!