Exposition:

Cleansing is the act of removing foul smell or dirt from something. It means to be free from guilt (Webster’s 1828 Dictionary). Though the author of Psalm 119 is unknown, our scripture reading suggests to us that the poet might be a young person who delights in and walks in the laws of God. He knew that the only way or means by which a Christian youth can be clean and free of sin in his or her walk with God was by obeying the word of God. He goes on to indicate how he will do that, which was by seeking God in His word wholeheartedly.

However, having sought God in His word with all your heart, the writer goes on to say that it must be hidden in your heart in order not to sin against God. It is no surprise Jesus Christ said to His disciples that they were already cleaned through the words he had spoken to them (John 15:3).

The disciples, having accepted the Lordship of Jesus Christ were cleansed because they walked in it with all humility of heart. They also submitted themselves to his words because they received it as being given from God. Therefore, by reading the word of God, accepting and applying it in our daily lives, we are gradually and constantly being cleansed of all dirt and spots (Ephesians 5:26).

We must however note that knowledge and application (obedience) of the word of God is the most important thing to be done in the life of the Christian youth. This is to say that whenever we study the word of God, meditate on it and apply it in our lives, we will gradually be cleansed from all sort of filth and sins that makes us unfit for the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.