Psalm 25

Psalm 25

 

Read this Psalm of David and allow the words of this prayer to become the words of your soul reaching out to God. Consider the comments by John Wesley that follow.

 

1	A Psalm of David. Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
2	O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3	Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4	Show me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
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.
6	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 thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.
8	Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9	The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
10	All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11	For thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
12	What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13	His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14	The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant.
15	Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
16	Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.
17	The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18	Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
19	Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
20	O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
21	Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
22	Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

2. Ashamed – Disappointed of my hope.

3. Cause – Without any provocation of mine.

4. Teach – Teach me my duty, and cause me to keep close to it, notwithstanding all temptations.

8. Upright – Holy and true, in all his declarations and offers of mercy to sinners. Therefore – He will not be wanting to such poor sinners as I am, but will guide them into the way of life and peace.

9. The meek – Such as meekly submit themselves to God, and are desirous to be directed and governed by him. Judgment – In the paths of judgment, in the right way.

10. Paths – All the dealings of God with them, yea even those that are afflictive, are done in kindness and faithfulness to them.

11. For – Or, though (as this particle is often rendered) it be great. Possibly he speaks of his sin against Uriah and Bathsheba. Great – Or, much or manifold. For the Hebrew word signifies both great and much.

12. Chuse – Which God appointeth.

13. At ease – Hebrew. in Good; in the possession and enjoyment of the true good. The land – Canaan; which was given as an earnest of the whole Covenant of Grace, and all its promises.

14. The secret – His love and favour, which is called his secret, Job xxix, 4 Prov. iii, 32, because it is known to none but him that enjoyeth it. Will shew – He will make them clearly to understand it, both its duties and its blessings; neither of which ungodly men rightly understand.

15. Pluck – He will deliver me out of all my troubles.

20. Soul – My life.

22. Israel – If thou wilt not help me, yet spare thy people who suffer for my sake, and in my sufferings.