CLARITY EDITION · OLD TESTAMENT
Psalms 25
Chapter 25 of 150
Chapter Overview
What happens in Psalms 25
An acrostic psalm of David, with each verse beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. David asks God for guidance, forgiveness, and protection while expressing deep trust.
Scripture
Psalms 25
A Prayer for Guidance
Study note
David lifts his soul to God and asks to be led in truth. He asks God to remember his mercy and forget the sins of his youth.
1 Lord, I hold up my very soul to you. Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
2 My God, my trust is completely in you. Please don't let me end up embarrassed. Don't give my enemies the satisfaction of winning. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3 Nobody who waits for you will ever be put to shame. But those who are unfaithful for no good reason — they will be the ones who are humiliated. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4 Let me see the paths you want me to walk, Lord. Train me to follow your ways. Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
5 Walk me through your truth and be my teacher, because you are the God who rescues me. I spend the entire day waiting for you. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
6 Lord, don't forget the great tenderness and loyal love you have shown since the very beginning. Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to your mercy remember me for your goodness' sake, O LORD. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.
God Teaches the Humble
Study note
God is good and upright, so he teaches sinners the right way. He guides the humble and reveals his covenant to those who respect him. David keeps his eyes on the Lord.
8 The Lord is kind and fair. That is exactly why he shows people who have gone wrong how to get back on the right track. Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9 He takes humble people by the hand and guides them toward what is right. He shows them his way of living. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
10 Every path the Lord leads you on is full of love and truth. This is for those who keep his promises and follow his ways. All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 Lord, for the honor of your own name, please wipe away my guilt — because it is more than I can handle. For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
12 Is there someone out there who honors the Lord? God himself will show that person exactly which way to go. What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13 That person will enjoy a satisfying life, and their children will be given the land. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14 The Lord lets those who honor him in on his plans. He opens up his promises to them. The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
15 My eyes are fixed on the Lord at all times, because he is the one who frees my feet whenever they get caught. Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
A Cry for Help
Study note
David asks God to turn to him because he is lonely and troubled. He asks for forgiveness, protection from enemies, and redemption for all of Israel.
16 Please turn toward me and show me mercy, because I feel so alone and so beaten down. Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.
17 The weight on my heart keeps getting heavier. Untangle me from all this pain. The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18 Look at how much I am hurting and how much trouble I am in, and wipe away every one of my sins. Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
19 Look at how many enemies have piled up against me! Their hatred toward me is fierce and violent. Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
20 Keep me safe and pull me out of danger. Do not let me end up disgraced, because you are the one I run to. O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
21 Let honesty and an upright life be my bodyguards, because my hope is fixed on you. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
22 O God, free Israel from every one of its troubles. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
Key Themes
Themes in Psalms 25
Waiting on God for directionAsking God to teach and leadConfession and forgivenessThe friendship of God with those who fear him
Apply This Today
Living Psalms 25
If you feel lost and unsure which way to turn, this psalm is for you. David asked God to show Him the path, teach Him truth, and lead Him forward. God is not distant or disinterested — He confides in those who fear Him. Bring your confusion to God and ask Him to guide you. He will.
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