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“Keep” is the same word used in verse 4 and speaks of observing or guarding with an arm toward observing.  It literally means to wait upon or attend to.  There is the idea of closely paid attention here.  The notion of great care exercised is endemic to the form.  “statue” is a word that means a cutting in or an engraving.  It has been used already in verse 6.

The intent of the will of the writer is to give close attention to the statues of God so as to be sure to obey them.  Remembering that we are talking about both positive and negative obedience, we can see the scope of this intention.

Just as his intent was to confess and praise God in verse 7, so also it is his intent to give close attention to God’s commands.  This is actually a very helpful practical idea.  How is it that we can be obedient to God?  How is it that we can secure blessedness and be happy in practical terms?  By giving diligent and close attention to the Word of God.

We must note that this it not speaking of study – though study is a sure part of the process.  Apart from study, there is no way for us to know what it is that God has said.  Thus, there is no way to heed it.  Study of the Word must be a part of what is in view here.

However, there is more than only study – or, more properly, there must be added to study the intention and the consent of the will toward obeying what it says. 

We are not here speaking of the idea of “wanting to”.  That is not sufficient.  Of course, we must want to obey.  But there must be more if we are to secure blessing and happiness.  We must act on our intention.

It is important here for us to see that none of our effort or righteousness secures the favor of God.  That favor was purchased by Christ and rests on His merit alone.  That being said - we must strive to obey positively and negatively giving diligent attention to God’s statues.

The use of “statutes” here underscores the “non-negotiable” and binding nature of the commands of God.  For us men – they are “written in stone” so to speak and are the given and accepted standards for behavior, both positive and negatively.  That must be the commitment of our heart if we are to be successful in obeying and being blessed of God.

“Forsake” translates a word that means “to be distant” and can even refer to being single (unmarried).  The idea is that of fellowship, not relationship.  We are used to thinking of these things in terms of security.  Jesus said He would never leave us nor forsake us, and so He never shall.  But what the writer has in view here is closeness of fellowship, not the terminating of relationship.  In the context of the covenant bond Israel had with such a dissolving of relationship would be unthinkable.  This is especially true theologically – from God’s point of view – as the covenant rests on His work only anyway.

So the idea here is of forsaking – of a withholding of self from another.  The writer is summing up the section.  He knows that God will bless obedience.  It is his firm desire and intent to obey and he here calls on God to maintain closeness of fellowship as a result.  “Utterly” is another use of a “degree” word speaking of extent.  Here, the writer is concerned that his fellowship with God not diminish at all, to any degree.

The overriding idea in this entire section is that of the impact of obedience to the revealed Word of God or the fellowship one has with God.  Both in what we do, and in what we abstain from, we dramatically impact our walk with God.