Psalm 25

This psalm teaches us numerous principles on how to live, think and behave in such a way that G-d is pleased with us and becomes actively involved in our lives.

v1: I lift up my soul: This is an idiom that speaks of David making a decision. David is placing himself (the very essence of himself, his resources etc) under G-d’s authority.

v2: ‘My G-d’ – David speaks of G-d being personal, and not distant, in his life.

· ‘I trust in You”: This isn’t a now and then trust. To trust in G-d is the normal behaviour in David’s life. He consistently trusts in G-d.

· We see a connection in this verse between trusting G-d and not being ashamed. When we do not demonstrate fidelity, loyalty, to the Word of G-d the outcome will ultimately be shame.

· When we say ‘yes’ to G-d we are making ourselves enemies to the world. However, when we have G-d on our side the enemy’s objectives will fail and we will overcome him.

v3: Let no one….this was not unique to David. If we place our trust in G-d, even today, this will hold true for us.

· Waits – hopes. We wait with expectation.

· “Let” – in English this is translated almost like a request. In Hebrew this does not hint of request but is stated as an assurance. When we trust we will not be ashamed etc…

· Those who will be ashamed are those who do not deal properly with others, those who are not faithful to G-d’s Word and those who do not submit to His authority.

· Without cause: They don’t have an incentive or a reward for acting in that way toward others. These people derive pleasure in causing harm and pain to others. Instead of having a G-dly character they have a satanic one.

v4: Why does David want to know G-d’s ways and paths? So that he can walk in them. Here, David is seeking revelation. When we obediently follow G-d’s principles it is going to lead to greater revelation in our lives (we will understand the Scripture better, we will grow etc).

· Teach: G-d’s going to work personally to direct us or direct things around us for our benefit – when we are in His will, on His paths. Are we teachable?

v5: Lead me – the word for ‘guiding’. G-d’s way, His pathways, are always related to HIS truth (NOT our truth, my truth, your truth etc). There is only one source of truth – and that comes from G-d Himself. There is only one way to find truth – in His Word. The order is important here. It is when we are walking in G-d’s ways that He teaches us.

· G-d of my salvation – there is a relationship between truth and salvation. If we are not embracing G-d’s truth (the only truth) we will not know Him as the G-d of our salvation (our victory and deliverance).

· ‘Wait’, again, has hope and expectation attached to it.

v6: ‘Remember’ is a word that relates to covenant (as has been previously seen – G-d remembers…). Because of G-d’s covenant we can expect His mercy and grace. G-d’s covenant obligates Him to move or behave according to what He has promised.

· ‘mercies and loving kindnesses’ – both in the plural, speaking of the abundance of G-d’s grace (usually related to forgiveness – something we don’t deserve). Grace brings about salvation, but it also brings about a change (regeneration), a commitment to the will of G-d, in those who live by it (Titus 2:11-13)

· From of old – ie from eternity.

v7: G-d does not remember (this word is emphasised in these last two verses) our sins when we are in a new covenant relationship with Him (Jer 31:31-34, Heb 8:7-12) We might still suffer (in this life) the consequences of the sin committed, but G-d will choose to forget them for eternity. He will not penalise us for them. Yeshua has paid, completely, for them.

· ‘Goodness’ is related to the will of G-d. It is the will of G-d to be merciful. It is the will of G-d to forget our transgressions. It is the will of G-d to be in relationship with us.

v8: G-d is concerned with that which is good and upright – that which is according to His plan.

· Teaches sinners – this can be understood in two ways. When we initially experience and accept G-d’s mercy that truth positions us in His will and He begins to teach us what His desire is. As we continue on, in obedience to the will of G-d, obedience comes to be a source of revelation as well.

v9: Justice/judgment: This is a word of perspective. It’s a word that speaks of making right decisions (discernment).

· The humble – if we are not humble it is going to hinder the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Pride says ‘No’ to G-d’s revelation.

v10: Grace and truth lead us to be those who want to keep His covenant and His testimonies (His commandments).

v11: Name is synonymous with character. When we walk on G-d’s paths our character (because of grace and truth) is going to be changed.

· As G-d grows us and teaches us we’re going to realize our need for additional forgiveness (pardon my iniquity)

v12: Fearing the L-rd = giving Him priority. When we give G-d priority in our lives He is going to teach us how to choose His way.

v13: This is talking about the one who fears the L-rd.

· Dwell in prosperity – ie live in the will, goodness, of G-d.

· When we live in the will of G-d it affects our offspring – the next generation will partake of G-d’s inheritance – His promises.

v14: The secret – ie revelation, knowledge.

· Those who fear the L-rd are going to be the ones who are going to reap the benefits of His covenantal promises.

v15: David was constantly looking for the L-rd as he wanted to be pleasing to G-d. One of the benefits of fearing G-d is that G-d sets us free from the things that the enemy tries to trap us in.

v16: David is asking G-d to turn to him. We don’t deserve G-d to turn to us, but because of His grace/mercy He does turn to us when we call on Him.

· Desolate and afflicted: G-d is the only hope that David has of being set free (redeemed).

v17: Troubles of my heart – thoughts. Written in the plural which signifies that they were numerous. David’s troubles were increasing.

· Enlarged – increased.

· ‘Bring me out’ – a word associated with redemption (like the exodus). Redemption involves ownership. When a slave was redeemed that slave became the property of the one who had paid for him. When we ask G-d to redeem us/deliver us etc then we become His purchased possession.

v18: ‘Pain’ is the word here that speaks of toil or labour that is so difficult that it causes suffering.

· Forgive is a word that can be literally translated ‘lift up’. Many times in the Bible forgiveness is lifting up our sins from us…removing them.

· ALL my sins – every one of our many sins (in the plural) G-d is able to remove from us, G-d is able to forgive.

v19: Cruel hatred – they hate for no reason other than the fact that they love to hate. It delights these ‘enemies’ to cause pain and suffering to us (John 15:18-25)

v20: David is always turning to G-d – even in the midst of disobedience and failure in his life. Spiritually he remembers this unbreakable covenant that is rooted in mercy and in grace. When we are in the midst of disobedience satan will try to convince us that we cannot turn to G-d as we have blown it and He doesn’t want to hear from us. This is a lie. G-d is continuously open to forgive us as long as we have breath to ask for it. satan does not want us to trust G-d, to take refuge in Him.

v21: “I wait”…a word of hope/expectation. David continuously affirms that his hope is in the L-rd. Is our hope in the L-rd?

v22: Redeem – involves payment. When we are redeemed we are brought into an eternal covenant – a Kingdom covenant – whereby we know G-d’s activity in our lives.