What is Purity (according to Psalm 119)?

Luke Schumacher

"How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you—don’t let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. I praise you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us. I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.” - Psalm 119: 9-16 (NLT)

Are you tired of the conversation of Christian “purity” only being about sex and physically intimacy? It’s toxic.

That is not entirely what the Psalmist is talking about here in verse 9. They are talking about purity as a whole, as defined by God. This is infinitely more than physical purity. And it’s better.

Here are 2 key takeaways to reflect on.

1: Purity is Not Just Physical/Sexual. It’s Wholistic.

Think about it for a moment: How weird would it be if this section of the psalm was only about physical purity?

It’s funny, right? Yesterday we learned that Psalm 119 is all about God’s word. So this section should be the same.

And it is.

It’s about how Jesus restores us, makes us pure. Basically, to be pure means to be whole and one with God. He is perfectly pure.

Purity = sinlessness.

It’s important to understand that for this section (and the Bible as a whole)

2: Be Desperate to Be Pure.


I long for God. I want to be made new in Heaven, where we will be perfectly pure. Look at the psalmist in this section. He finds so much joy in the Word and he longs for it.

Purity spawns joy.

While we will not be perfectly pure until heaven, we have Jesus. He restores us daily, moment by moment. So let us seek purity, together, in all forms.

Journal Questions

  1. What does purity mean to you? How can you be ‘more pure?’
  2. What is something you can do today to practice wholistic purity?

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