Psalm 25: A Song of David. I’ve used the 1977 NAS translation as it is my personal preference for reading the Psalms.
One of the many benefits of the Psalms is the wealth of theology, devotion and comfort which they impart to the reader. Not only can you find their verses in hymns, poems and prayers, but they are also referred to in systematic theologies such as Stephen Charnock’s The Existence & Attributes of God.
In recent times I’ve taken to reading Psalm 23, 24 and 25 regularly. See also our article For His Name’s Sake. And David Gibson’s The Lord of Psalm 23.
Psalm 25:1-22
To Thee, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in Thee I trust, do not let me be ashamed; do not let my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none of those who wait for Thee will be ashamed; those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed.
Make me know Thy ways, O LORD; teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truth and teach me, for Thou art the God of my salvation; for Thee I wait all the day.
Remember, O LORD, Thy compassion and Thy lovingkindnesses, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to Thy lovingkindness remember Thou me, for Thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.
Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.
For Thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon my iniquity, for it is great. Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. His soul will abide in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant.
My eyes are continually toward the LORD, for He will pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Look upon my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.
Look upon my enemies, for they are many; and they hate me with violent hatred.
Guard my soul and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in Thee. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for Thee.
Redeem Israel, O God, Out of all his troubles.
Charles Spurgeon on Psalm 25
David is pictured in this Psalm as in a faithful miniature. His holy trust, his many conflicts, his great transgression, his bitter repentance, and his deep distresses are all here; so that we see the very heart of “the man after God’s own heart.” It is evidently a composition of David’s later days, for he mentions the sins of his youth, and from its painful references to the craft and cruelty of his many foes, it will not be too speculative a theory to refer it to the period when Absalom was heading the great rebellion against him. This has been styled the second of the seven Penitential Psalms. It is the mark of a true saint that his sorrows remind him of his sins, and his sorrow for sin drives him to his God… continue reading
David Guzik
This psalm is merely titled A Psalm of David. We do not know the precise time period it came from; David was so often in trouble that it could have been from several different points. It is a wonderful display of the heart of a well-taught believer in a season of crisis…continue reading
May the Psalms teach and comfort us.
Maranatha!
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