Psalms
Summary
Psalm 25 is an acrostic prayer of David, characterized by a humble plea for guidance, forgiveness, and protection. David lifts up his soul to God, asking that he not be "put to shame" by his enemies. He famously prays for God to "show me your ways" and to remember His "tender mercies" while forgetting the "sins of my youth." The psalm reveals that "the friendship of the LORD" is with those who fear Him and that integrity and uprightness are the believer's shield. It concludes with a plea for the redemption of all Israel out of their many troubles.
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
O my God, I trust in you; let me not be put to shame, let not my enemies triumph over me.
No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come to those who are treacherous without cause.
Show me your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; on you I wait all the day long.
Remember, O LORD, your tender mercies and your unfailing love, for they are from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your mercy remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O LORD.
Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he teaches sinners in the way.
The humble he guides in what is right, and the humble he teaches his way.
All the paths of the LORD are unfailing love and truth to such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
For your name’s sake, O LORD, pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him he will teach in the way he should choose.
He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land.
The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him, and he will show them his covenant.
My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will release my feet from the net.
Turn to me and have mercy on me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart have enlarged; O bring me out of my distress.
Look on my affliction and my pain and forgive all my sins.
See how many are my enemies, and how fiercely they hate me.
Guard my soul and deliver me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait on you.
Redeem Israel, O God, out of all its troubles.