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Psalm 25

Prayer for Guidance and for Deliverance

Of David.

1

To you, O L ord, I lift up my soul.

2

O my God, in you I trust;

do not let me be put to shame;

do not let my enemies exult over me.

3

Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;

let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

 

4

Make me to know your ways, O L ord;

teach me your paths.

5

Lead me in your truth, and teach me,

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all day long.

 

6

Be mindful of your mercy, O L ord, and of your steadfast love,

for they have been from of old.

7

Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;

according to your steadfast love remember me,

for your goodness’ sake, O L ord!

 

8

Good and upright is the L ord;

therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

9

He leads the humble in what is right,

and teaches the humble his way.

10

All the paths of the L ord are steadfast love and faithfulness,

for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

 

11

For your name’s sake, O L ord,

pardon my guilt, for it is great.

12

Who are they that fear the L ord?

He will teach them the way that they should choose.

 

13

They will abide in prosperity,

and their children shall possess the land.

14

The friendship of the L ord is for those who fear him,

and he makes his covenant known to them.

15

My eyes are ever toward the L ord,

for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

 

16

Turn to me and be gracious to me,

for I am lonely and afflicted.

17

Relieve the troubles of my heart,

and bring me out of my distress.

18

Consider my affliction and my trouble,

and forgive all my sins.

 

19

Consider how many are my foes,

and with what violent hatred they hate me.

20

O guard my life, and deliver me;

do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

21

May integrity and uprightness preserve me,

for I wait for you.

 

22

Redeem Israel, O God,

out of all its troubles.


10. All the ways of Jehovah. This verse is erroneously interpreted by those who think that the doctrine of the law is here described as true and sweet, and that those who keep it feel it indeed to be so, as if this passage were of the same import as that which was spoken by Jesus Christ,

“My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
(Matthew 11:30)

Such an interpretation is not only strained, but may also be easily disproved by many similar passages in which the expression, The ways of the Lord, is taken in a passive signification, for the paternal manner in which he acts towards those who are his people, in defending and cherishing them; nay, even for his whole conduct in the government and direction of the affairs of this world. The amount of what is said is, that God acts in such a manner towards his people, as that, in all respects, they may find from experience that he is merciful and faithful. David is not here speaking of the character in which God acts towards mankind in general, but what his own children find him to be. We have already seen in Psalm 18:26, that he is stern and severe towards the obstinate and rebellious; and even though he act with kindness towards them, in mercifully exercising forbearance towards them notwithstanding their iniquity, yet we find, that so far from seeking their full enjoyment in him, and trusting to his promises, they have no sense of his goodness. Nay, as soon as any adversity befalls them, they either become passionate and fretful, accuse God of acting cruelly towards them, or else complain that he is deaf to their prayers; and when they enjoy prosperity, they despise and neglect him, and as much as they are able flee from his presence. David, therefore, in speaking of the mercy and faithfulness of God, justly describes them as a treasure peculiar to the godly; as if he had said, We have no reason to be afraid that God will deceive us if we persevere in his covenant. These words, covenant and testimony, are of the same import, unless that the second is added as an explanation of the first. They comprehend the whole doctrine of the law, by which God enters into covenant with his chosen people.


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