Verse

Psalm chapter 25

English Standard Version

1Of David. To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. 3Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 4Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. 5Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. 6Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 7Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD! 8Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 10All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11For your name’s sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great. 12Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. 13His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. 14The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. 15My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. 16Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. 17The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. 18Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. 19Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. 20Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. 21May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you. 22Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
New International Version

New American Standard Bible

1To You, Lord, I lift up my soul. 2My God, in You I trust, Do not let me be ashamed; Do not let my enemies rejoice over me. 3Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed; Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed. 4Make me know Your ways, Lord; Teach me Your paths. 5Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day. 6Remember, Lord, Your compassion and Your faithfulness, For they have been from of old. 7Do not remember the sins of my youth or my wrongdoings; Remember me according to Your faithfulness, For Your goodness’ sake, Lord. 8The Lord is good and upright; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. 9He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way. 10All the paths of the Lord are faithfulness and truth To those who comply with His covenant and His testimonies. 11For the sake of Your name, Lord, Forgive my wrongdoing, for it is great. 12Who is the person who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. 13His soul will dwell in prosperity, And his descendants will inherit the land. 14The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant. 15My eyes are continually toward the Lord, For He will rescue my feet from the net. 16Turn to me and be gracious to me, For I am lonely and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses. 18Look at my misery and my trouble, And forgive all my sins. 19Look at my enemies, for they are many, And they hate me with violent hatred. 20Guard my soul and save me; Do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You. 21Let integrity and uprightness protect me, For I wait for You. 22Redeem Israel, God, From all his distress.
Christian Standard Bible

New Living Translation

King James Version

What does Psalm chapter 25 mean?

This psalm follows an acrostic pattern. Each verse begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In this prayer, David perceives life as a difficult journey that can be pursued successfully only with the Lord's guidance. David is concerned about his foes and his faults and entreats the Lord to deliver him from both. He trusts in the Lord as the God of his salvation, who can keep him from being ashamed by his treacherous enemies (Psalm 25:1–3).

David appeals to God for guidance and for forgiveness. The psalm expresses confidence that God will forgive youthful sins—something David presumes for himself given that his heart and attitude are godly. Out of consistent love, the Lord never stops caring for those who seek Him (Psalm 25:4–7).

This prayer also recognizes the Lord as good, upright, merciful, loving, and the friend of those who fear him. David acknowledges that God provides knowledge and correction for all people. Those who are willing to listen—those who are not arrogant or stubborn—can learn from God's love and follow His will (Psalm 25:8–10).

Even though David's life mostly followed God's will, he did not claim to be perfect. Here, he acknowledges that he is a sinner who needs to be forgiven. Echoing the earlier verses of this psalm, he connects obedience to God with increased knowledge and less chance of disaster (Psalm 25:11–15).

Turning to express his need, David regards the Lord as the only one who can deliver him from the danger that distressed him. Once again, while pleading for rescue, David admits his sin and asks for forgiveness. The psalm concludes with a prayer for Israel's rescue (Psalm 25:16–22).
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