Psalms 25

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 25

1¶ [A Psalm] of David. Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.

2O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

3Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

4Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

5Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou [art] the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

6Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they [have been] ever of old.

7Remember 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.

9The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

10All the paths of the LORD [are] mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

11For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it [is] great.

12What man [is] he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way [that] he shall choose.

13His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.

14The secret of the LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

15¶ Mine eyes [are] ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

16Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I [am] desolate and afflicted.

17The troubles of my heart are enlarged: [O] bring thou me out of my distresses.

18Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.

19Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.

20O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.

21Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.

22Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

David earnestly prays to the LORD for guidance, forgiveness, and deliverance from his adversaries, expressing deep trust in God's character. He seeks to be taught God's ways and asks for mercy, acknowledging his own transgressions. The psalm concludes with a plea for both personal and national redemption, rooted in unwavering faith.

Medium Summary

This psalm opens with David lifting his soul to the LORD, expressing profound trust and a desire not to be shamed by his enemies. He fervently requests divine instruction, asking God to show him His ways, teach him His paths, and lead him in truth, recognizing God as his salvation. David appeals to God's ancient mercies and lovingkindnesses, pleading for the forgiveness of his youthful sins and transgressions. The psalmist extols the LORD's goodness and uprightness, noting that God teaches sinners and guides the meek, extending mercy and truth to those who keep His covenant. He then reiterates his personal plea for pardon due to the greatness of his iniquity, for God's name's sake. The psalm also highlights the blessings for those who fear the LORD, promising divine teaching, peace, and revelation of God's covenant. David concludes by seeking deliverance from his desolate and afflicted state, asking for protection from his many enemies, and ultimately, for the redemption of Israel.

Long Summary

Psalm 25 is a fervent prayer of David, commencing with a declaration of trust in the LORD and a supplication not to be put to shame by his adversaries. He extends this hope to all who wait upon God, contrasting them with those who transgress without cause. David earnestly seeks divine instruction, praying, "Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths," and asking to be led in God's truth, affirming the LORD as the God of his salvation. He appeals to God's enduring character, requesting remembrance of His tender mercies and lovingkindnesses, which have been "ever of old." A significant part of his plea involves the forgiveness of his past sins, specifically the "sins of my youth" and his transgressions, asking God to remember him according to His mercy and goodness. The psalm then shifts to describe the LORD's nature as "Good and upright," emphasizing His willingness to teach sinners and guide the meek in judgment, revealing His paths of mercy and truth to those who keep His covenant. David reiterates his personal need for pardon, acknowledging the "great" nature of his iniquity and appealing to God's name's sake. The psalm also outlines the blessings for those who fear the LORD: they will be taught the way they should choose, their soul will dwell at ease, their seed will inherit the earth, and "the secret of the LORD" will be with them, revealing His covenant. David then returns to his personal distress, expressing that his eyes are "ever toward the LORD" for deliverance from his troubles, affliction, and pain. He implores God to turn to him, have mercy, forgive all his sins, and protect him from his numerous, cruel enemies. The psalm concludes with a final, broader plea for God to "Redeem Israel... out of all his troubles," linking his personal petition to the welfare of his nation.

Core Concepts

  • Trust and Waiting on GodDavid repeatedly expresses his trust in the LORD and his act of waiting on Him, believing that those who do so will not be shamed by their enemies. This waiting signifies patient reliance and expectation of divine intervention and guidance.
  • Divine Guidance and InstructionA central theme is David's earnest prayer for God to "shew me thy ways" and "teach me thy paths," indicating a deep desire for divine direction in life and understanding of God's truth.
  • Forgiveness of SinsDavid humbly confesses his "sins of my youth" and "transgressions," pleading with God to remember His mercy and goodness instead of his iniquity, which he acknowledges as "great."
  • God's Character (Mercy and Truth)The psalm highlights the LORD as "Good and upright," whose "tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses" are ancient, and whose paths are consistently "mercy and truth" for those who keep His covenant.
  • The Fear of the LordThe psalm describes the blessings for those who "feareth the LORD," promising them divine teaching, peace, prosperity for their descendants, and the revelation of "the secret of the LORD" and His covenant.
  • Deliverance from AdversityDavid frequently petitions God for deliverance from his "enemies," "distresses," "affliction and my pain," and to "pluck my feet out of the net," reflecting a state of personal peril and suffering.
  • National RedemptionThe psalm concludes with a broader prayer, "Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles," extending David's personal plea for deliverance to the entire nation.