Psalm 25:9-19

9 He gives the rejects his hand, And leads them step-by-step.

10 From now on every road you travel Will take you to God. Follow the Covenant signs; Read the charted directions.

11 Keep up your reputation, God; Forgive my bad life; It's been a very bad life.

12 My question: What are God-worshipers like? Your answer: Arrows aimed at God's bull's-eye.

13 They settle down in a promising place; Their kids inherit a prosperous farm.

14 God-friendship is for God-worshipers; They are the ones he confides in.

15 If I keep my eyes on God, I won't trip over my own feet.

16 Look at me and help me! I'm all alone and in big trouble.

17 My heart and kidneys are fighting each other; Call a truce to this civil war.

18 Take a hard look at my life of hard labor, Then lift this ton of sin.

19 Do you see how many people Have it in for me? How viciously they hate me?

Psalm 25:9-19 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.