| Psalms 25 BY DAVID [Psalms 25:1] UNTO THEE, O LORD, DO I LIFT UP MY SOUL. [Psalms 25:2] O MY GOD, I TRUST IN THEE: LET ME NOT BE ASHAMED, LET NOT MINE ENEMIES TRIUMPH OVER ME. [Psalms 25:3] YEA, LET NONE THAT WAIT ON THEE BE ASHAMED: LET THEM BE ASHAMED WHICH TRANSGRESS WITHOUT CAUSE. << WHICH TRANSGRESS>> Hebrew: "Bogdim" meaning literally "traitors". Many have once known the truth but deliberately turn away from it. They are waiting to see the fall of those who remain faithful. We should be aware that sinful people are very seldom true friends of ours. They often wish to bring us down to their own level and share their own cursed destiny. <<WITHOUT CAUSE>>: Hebrew "raikom" meaning "empty" "for nothing". The sinners know that they gained nothing. Their treachery against the truth earned them nothing they really want but just the opposite. [Psalms 25:4] SHEW ME THY WAYS, O LORD; TEACH ME THY PATHS. We all need guidance. Very little is really obvious. We ask God to teach us meaning that we must always seek to learn the truth anew. [Psalms 25:5] LEAD ME IN THY TRUTH, AND TEACH ME: FOR THOU ART THE GOD OF MY SALVATION; ON THEE DO I WAIT ALL THE DAY. [Psalms 25:6] REMEMBER, O LORD, THY TENDER MERCIES AND THY LOVINGKINDNESSES; FOR THEY HAVE BEEN EVER OF OLD. [Psalms 25:7] REMEMBER NOT THE SINS OF MY YOUTH, NOR MY TRANSGRESSIONS: ACCORDING TO THY MERCY REMEMBER THOU ME FOR THY GOODNESS' SAKE, O LORD. <<SINS OF MY YOUTH>>: One when is young one is less aware of the seriousness of what one does, the sexual urge is much greater and the influence of companions and the environment more difficult to resist. There is a feeling that one has time and physical reserves that can be safely wasted. This is not so but often it is too late when we come to realize our mistake. Even so, nearly everything can be corrected and atoned for. Even if somethings cannot be just wiped away by doing good and giving ourselves to God we can make everything better than it was and much much better than it otherwise would have been. God can help us and wishes to do so. It depends on us. <<REMEMBER THOU ME FOR THY GOODNESS' SAKE>>: Do not remember me for what I am but rather for what YOU are. [Psalms 25:8] GOOD AND UPRIGHT IS THE LORD: THEREFORE WILL HE TEACH SINNERS IN THE WAY. David prays in the previous verse and already in this verse he knows his prayer is answered. There is really no such thing as unanswered sincere prayer only sometimes the answer comes later at another time and in different circumstance. The Almighty chooses. If we do not know what to do we can still turn to the Almighty and a way forward will be shown to us. [Psalms 25:9] THE MEEK WILL HE GUIDE IN JUDGMENT: AND THE MEEK WILL HE TEACH HIS WAY. <<THE MEEK>>: Hebrew "anovim" meaning "the humble" (plural). [Psalms 25:10] ALL THE PATHS OF THE LORD ARE MERCY AND TRUTH UNTO SUCH AS KEEP HIS COVENANT AND HIS TESTIMONIES. All we need are humility, mercy, truth and the will to do the will of the Almighty. If we search for this path we will be requited in equal measure. [Psalms 25:11] FOR THY NAME'S SAKE, O LORD, PARDON MINE INIQUITY; FOR IT IS GREAT. Greater sinners than us have asked for forgiveness and received it and have then became much greater people than we will probably ever be. If they can do it son can we. God is open to all. There is no favoritism. [Psalms 25:12] WHAT MAN IS HE THAT FEARETH THE LORD? HIM SHALL HE TEACH IN THE WAY THAT HE SHALL CHOOSE. He who fears God will be led in the right path. [Psalms 25:13] HIS SOUL SHALL DWELL AT EASE; AND HIS SEED SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH. Those who do good shall have offspring and they shall be blessed. This is a general rule that holds more often than not in a literal sense. There are exceptions that we cannot always understand but these too receive an everlasting blessing both on themselves, on those wh are dear to them, and on all around them. [Psalms 25:14] THE SECRET OF THE LORD IS WITH THEM THAT FEAR HIM; AND HE WILL SHEW THEM HIS COVENANT. Those who do as well as they can will be shown secrets of Existence, of the Bible, of life, and everything they turn their interest towards. The overwhelming majority of truly innovative people have been God-fearing. This holds today as well. Believe it or not but contrary to general impressions most great scientists believe in God and fear him. I first heard this observation from Eli Merzbach, a Professor of Mathematics who lives in Shiloh in the territory of Ephraim. Since then I have noticed its truth to be confirmed in numerous instances. [Psalms 25:15] MINE EYES ARE EVER TOWARD THE LORD; FOR HE SHALL PLUCK MY FEET OUT OF THE NET. A lot of us at some time or other feel we are in some kind of trap: Economic circumstances seem to bind us in a vicious circles we cannot break out of. Likewise our family, social, and employment circumstances may seem to trap us in situations we do not want but do not seem able to free ourselves from. If we trust in the Almighty and do our best a way forward will be found. From mentioning this situation the Psalm takes over the feelings of one who is found in it and gives voice to their call upon the Almighty for assistance. So to, as we see at the last voice the Sayer of the psalm puts himself in the position of the nation of Israel who are encompassed all around with vicious enemies lusting and scheming to bring us down. We must ray for ourselves and for All Israel and pray in the name of all Israel. [Psalms 25:16] TURN THEE UNTO ME, AND HAVE MERCY UPON ME; FOR I AM DESOLATE AND AFFLICTED. [Psalms 25:17] THE TROUBLES OF MY HEART ARE ENLARGED: O BRING THOU ME OUT OF MY DISTRESSES. [Psalms 25:18] LOOK UPON MINE AFFLICTION AND MY PAIN; AND FORGIVE ALL MY SINS. [Psalms 25:19] CONSIDER MINE ENEMIES; FOR THEY ARE MANY; AND THEY HATE ME WITH CRUEL HATRED. [Psalms 25:20] O KEEP MY SOUL, AND DELIVER ME: LET ME NOT BE ASHAMED; FOR I PUT MY TRUST IN THEE. [Psalms 25:21] LET INTEGRITY AND UPRIGHTNESS PRESERVE ME; FOR I WAIT ON THEE. [Psalms 25:22] REDEEM ISRAEL, O GOD, OUT OF ALL HIS TROUBLES. David identifies with Israel as if he and Israel and the Will of the Almighty were all one entity. We should also strive to do the same. Psalms Index HOme |