Psalms 118:9
By what doth a young man correct his way? by observing thy words.
Open Psalms 118:9 in the Motif Searcher, word by word across all five texts →Show on the spiral →The verse in its languages
- Vulgate (Clementine)
- Beth In quo corrigit adolescentior viam suam ? in custodiendo sermones tuos.
- Septuagint (Swete)
- Ἐν τίνι κατορθώσει ὁ νεώτερος τὴν ὁδὸν αὐτοῦ; ἐν τῷ φυλάσσεσθαι τοὺς λόγους σου.
- Hebrew (WLC) shown from Psalms 119:9
- בַּמֶּ֣ה יְזַכֶּה נַּ֭עַר אֶת אָרְח֑וֹ לִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ
Haydock's commentary
Correct. Symmachus, "illustrate." (Calmet)
The observance of the law is the only method to preserve innocence, or to regain it. (Haydock)
The Holy Ghost gives this direction to youth, and to all who are exposed to the dangers of pleasure, (Worthington) as David might do to his son, 2 Kings ii. 3. (Berthier)
In the same sense as we pray, Lead us not into temptation. [Matthew vi. 13.]
From Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, 1859, in the transcription made by Todd Easton and kept online by John Paul Wohlschied at johnblood.gitlab.io/haydock.
The Fathers on this verse
St Augustine Expositions on the Book of Psalms, Beth
9. “Wherewithal shall a young man correct his way? even by keeping Thy words” ( ver. 9 ). He questioneth himself, and answereth himself. “Wherewithal?” So far it is a question: next cometh the answer, “even by keeping Thy words.” But in this place the keeping of the words of God, must be understood as the obeying His commandments in deed: for they are kept in memory in vain, if they are not kept in life also. But what is meant by “young man” here? For he might have said, wherewithal shall any one ( homo ) correct his way? or, wherewithal shall a man ( vir ) correct his way? which is usually put by the Scriptures in such a way, that the whole human race is understood.…But in this passage he saith neither any one, nor a man, but, “a young man.” Is then an old man to be despaired of? or doth an old man correct his way by any other means than by ruling himself after God’s word? Or is it perh …
St Augustine Expositions on the Book of Psalms, Tadze
139. “I am young, and of no reputation; yet do I not forget Thy righteousnesses:” not as my enemies, who “have forgotten Thy words” ( ver. 141 ). The younger seems to grieve for those older than himself who had forgotten the righteousnesses of God, while he himself had not forgotten. For what meaneth, “I am young, yet do I not forget”? save this, Those older than me have forgotten. For the Greek word is νεώτερος , the same as that used in the words above, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?” This is a comparative, and is therefore well understood in its relation to some one older. …
St Ambrose On the Duties of the Clergy, Chapter II. Manifold dangers are incurred by speaking; the remedy for which Scripture shows to consist in silence
7. Let us hearken, then, to the master of precaution: “I said, I will take heed to my ways;” that is, “I said to myself: in the silent biddings of my thoughts, I have enjoined upon myself, that I should take heed to my ways.” Some ways there are which we ought to follow; others as to which we ought to take heed. We must follow the ways of the Lord, and take heed to our own ways, lest they lead us into sin. One can take heed if one is not hasty in speaking. The law says: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord thy God.” It said not: “Speak,” but “Hear.” Eve fell because she said to the man what she had not heard from the Lord her God. The first word from God says to thee: Hear! If thou hearest, take heed to thy ways; and if thou hast fallen, quickly amend thy way. …