Bible Commentaries
Psalms 25

Verses 1-22

Psalms 25

DELIVERANCE SOUGHT

A sob of deep sorrow is sounded through all this Psalm. It is an emotional plea to know the will and way of Jehovah God, and that He may grant His help, protection from harm, and deliverance from all enemies, even of the world, the flesh, and the Devil, 1 John 2:15-17; 1 Peter 5:8.

Verses 1-22:

Verses 1, 2 are a direct appeal of David as he lifts up his soul to the Lord, in earnest intercession, in faith that can not be turned away; Such was described 1 Samuel 1:15; Psalms 86:4; Psalms 143:8; La 3:41. He cried out in agony of soul, "O my God, I trust in thee," a sure source of trust that never fails, Proverbs 3:3-5. He asks that the Lord let him never be ashamed, or an occasion for shame against the great Jehovah. He further petitioned God to let not his enemies triumph over him, to his hurt, or that the name of Israel or Israel’s God, Psalms 7:1; Psalms 13:4; Psalms 18:2; Psalms 31:1; Psalms 34:8; Psalms 37:40; Psalms 71:1; Isaiah 26:3-4; Isaiah 28:16; Romans 10:11; 1 Peter 2:6.

Verse 3 asks the Lord to let not one who waited or, or trusted it the Lord be ashamed or brought to humiliation and shame. He further prayed that God might bring only those to shame who transgressed or treacherously broke His laws, without cause, Psalms 41:9; Psalms 69:4; Hosea 6:7.

Verses 4, 5 call on the Lord to show him (David) his ways, make them clear, and teach him His paths, that he might walk them without stumbling or falling; He further besought the Lord to lead him as a father leads a little child, in truth and teach him; For He vowed that He was the God of salvation, on whom he waited, relied, or trusted, all the day long, See. Exodus 33:13; Psalms 5:8; Psalms 27:11; Psalms 86:11; Psalms 119:10; Psalms 143:8; Psalms 143:10; John 17:17.

Verse 6 appeals "remember or recall, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving kindness for they have been (existed, continued) ever of old," as related repeatedly, Psalms 103:17; Psalms 106:1; Isaiah 63:15; Jeremiah 13:11. See Colossians 3:12.

Verse 7 recounts David’s plea for the Lord to "remember not," in anger the sins of his youth or his transgressions, deceitful deeds. Instead he asked that me might be remembered in harmony with the mercy and goodness sake, or purpose of the Lord; In youth especially passions and impulses are strong, 2 Timothy 2:22; See also Job 13:26; Job 20:11; Jeremiah 3:25; Psalms 51:1.

Verses 8, 9 declare that the Lord is good and upright by nature and will teach sinners in the way, so that all are rendered without excuse for remaining in sin, Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalms 32:8; Romans 2:1; Romans 3:19-20; 1 John 1:8-9. It is added that He will also guide in judgment, Zechariah 3:1-5; And the meek, those who have ears, are responsible, and will hear, He will teach in His way and will, John 7:17; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Colossians 3:17; 1 Timothy 2:5-7; 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Verse 10 asserts that all the paths of the Lord are (strewn with) mercy and truth, La 3:22; John 17:17. Even to those who keep or guard His testimonies like a faithful sentinel soldier, Hosea 14:9; Hebrews 13:5; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Revelation 2:10.

Verse 11 recounts David’s earnest request that the Lord pardon his iniquities which were great, not because he was worthy, but for the lord’s name’s sake, Psalms 31:3; Psalms 79:9; Psalms 109:21; Psalms 143:11; Romans 5:20. For "where sin abounded grace did much more abound."

Verses 12, 13 ask what man is there who fears the lord, the beginning of wisdom, Proverbs 1:7. That man (kind of man) David asserted God would teach in the way he should choose and pursue, Psalms 19:9; Psalms 37:23. That kind of man’s soul shall "dwell at ease" or find peace with God and his seed shall inherit the earth, with the Lord, Romans 5:1; Romans 8:17-18. See also Proverbs 19:23; Psalms 37:11; Psalms 37:22.

Verse 14 declares that the secret of the Lord exists with those who fear or reverence the Lord. And He will show (make clear to them) His covenant, both of eternal salvation, John 10:28-30, and of eternal glory in His church, Ephesians 3:21; Matthew 16:18; Revelation 19:7-9; See also Proverbs 3:32; John 7:17; John 15:15-16; 2 Corinthians 4:2-6; John 6:45; Revelation 2:17.

Verse 15 adds, "mine eyes are ever (continually) toward the Lord, looking to or trusting in the Lord, Isaiah 45:22. He further added that the Lord would pluck his feet "out of the net," release him from entrapment as his liberator, Psalms 141:8; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Psalms 9; Psalms 15; Psalms 123:1-2.

Verse 16 is a Davidic cry for the Lord to turn to him at once, and have mercy on him because he was desolate, forlorn, sinking in despond. Tho a king he was often alone, except for God, Psalms 68:6; Psalms 69:16; Psalms 86:16.

Verses 17, 18 declare that the troubles, perplexities of his heart, were enlarged, emotionally expanded. In such he asked, "look upon my affliction and my pain ... and forgive all my sins," or bear the burden of guilt away, Isaiah 53:4; Isaiah 53:12. The type of this appeal is given Leviticus 10:17; Leviticus 16:22; Numbers 5:31. Only when sin is pardoned is the pain of guilt and shame and fear removed, Romans 5:1; Romans 5:5.

Verse 19 asks the Lord to "consider" or keep His eye on David’s enemies who too were enemies of Israel and their God. He stated that they were many and hated him with a cruel hatred. Soldiers of the cross of Christ stand in a similar position, doing battle not merely with flesh and blood, directed by Satan against the. people of God, ever intent on destroying their testimony and usefulness, Ephesians 5:10-18; 1 John 2:15-17; 1 Peter 5:8.

Verse 20 is a repeated outcry for the God of Glory to keep or guard his soul and deliver him, Psalms 34:7; Hebrews 1:14. He again asked the Lord to keep or hold him back from being ashamed or occasion of shame to Israel and to God. For he had put his trust in the Lord. After such a manner our Lord taught His disciples to pray, "lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil," the evil one, Matthew 6:13; Psalms 2:12; Psalms 22:20; Psalms 40:11.

Verses 21, 22 appeal to the Lord to let or permit "integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait on (rest myself) on thee," Psalms 7:8; Proverbs 11:3. He then concludes, "redeem Israel, O God, out of (and away from) all his troubles," as also called for Psalms 51:18-19; Psalms 130:8; Psalms 137:5-6.