Psalms 25:3-13

3 No one waiting for you will be disgraced; disgrace awaits those who break faith for no reason.

4 Make me know your ways, ADONAI, teach me your paths.

5 Guide me in your truth, and teach me; for you are the God who saves me, my hope is in you all day long.

6 Remember your compassion and grace, ADONAI; for these are ages old.

7 Don't remember my youthful sins or transgressions; but remember me according to your grace for the sake of your goodness, ADONAI.

8 ADONAI is good, and he is fair; this is why he teaches sinners the way [to live],

9 leads the humble to do what is right and teaches the humble [to live] his way.

10 All ADONAI's paths are grace and truth to those who keep his covenant and instructions.

11 For the sake of your name, ADONAI, forgive my wickedness, great though it is.

12 Who is the person who fears ADONAI? He will teach him the way to choose.

13 He will remain prosperous, and his descendants will inherit the land.

Psalms 25:3-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 25

\\<<[A Psalm] of David>>\\. This is the first of the psalms which is written in an alphabetical order, or in which the first word of every verse begins with the letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order, though it is not strictly and regularly observed; the reason of this manner of writing is not very obvious; the {r} Jews confess their ignorance of it; it may be to engage the attention to what is said, or to assist the memory in laying it up, and retaining it there. The occasion of the psalm seems to be the troubles David was in on account of an unnatural rebellion raised against him by some of his subjects, at the head of which was his own son Absalom; he speaks of himself as in a net, and in great affliction, distress, and trouble, by reason of his enemies, Ps 25:15-18; and as being brought to a sense of his former sins, for which he desires pardon, Ps 25:7,11. {r} Kimchi in loc.