Psalms 25:1-9

1 To you, O Lord, I offer my prayer;

2 in you, my God, I trust. Save me from the shame of defeat; don't let my enemies gloat over me!

3 Defeat does not come to those who trust in you, but to those who are quick to rebel against you.

4 Teach me your ways, O Lord; make them known to me.

5 Teach me to live according to your truth, for you are my God, who saves me. I always trust in you.

6 Remember, O Lord, your kindness and constant love which you have shown from long ago.

7 Forgive the sins and errors of my youth. In your constant love and goodness, remember me, Lord!

8 Because the Lord is righteous and good, he teaches sinners the path they should follow.

9 He leads the humble in the right way and teaches them his will.

Psalms 25:1-9 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.