Psalms 25:4-14

4 Show me your ways, Yahweh. Teach me your paths.

5 Guide me in your truth, and teach me, For you are the God of my salvation, I wait for you all day long.

6 Yahweh, remember your tender mercies and your lovingkindness, For they are from old times.

7 Don't remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions. Remember me according to your lovingkindness, For your goodness' sake, Yahweh.

8 Good and upright is Yahweh, Therefore he will instruct sinners in the way.

9 He will guide the humble in justice. He will teach the humble his way.

10 All the paths of Yahweh are lovingkindness and truth To such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

11 For your name's sake, Yahweh, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

12 What man is he who fears Yahweh? He shall instruct him in the way that he shall choose.

13 His soul shall dwell at ease. His seed shall inherit the land.

14 The friendship of Yahweh is with those who fear him. He will show them his covenant.

Psalms 25:4-14 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.