Psalm 25
Psalm 25 is David's prayer for guidance, forgiveness and rescue. It begins "Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul," asks God to "Shew me thy ways" and to forget the sins of his youth, and rests on the promise that the LORD will teach sinners in the way and guide the meek.
Psalm 25 (KJV)
Unto thee do I lift up my soul v. 1-7
1Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
2O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
5Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
6Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
7Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.
The LORD teaches sinners in the way v. 8-15
8Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
10All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11For thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
12What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
15Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Turn thee unto me and deliver me v. 16-22
16Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.
17The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
19Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
20O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
21Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
22Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
What Psalm 25 means
The psalm is built on three requests that keep returning: let me not be ashamed, teach me thy paths, and remember not my sins. David wants protection from enemies, but he wants direction and pardon just as much.
Verses 4-5 are a short prayer many people pray as their own: Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me. David asks to be taught, not just rescued, and he says he waits on God all the day.
The middle section explains why David dares to ask. Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. God's goodness is the reason he guides people who have gone wrong, and the meek are the ones he teaches.
David is honest about his guilt. He asks God to remember his mercies and not the sins of his youth, and in verse 11 he prays, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. He does not plead his own goodness but God's name and mercy.
The last section turns to loneliness and trouble: I am desolate and afflicted, the troubles of my heart are enlarged. It closes by widening the prayer from one man to the whole nation: Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
Background and context
The superscription calls it A Psalm of David.
In Hebrew, Psalm 25 is an acrostic: the verses begin with the letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order, with a few irregularities. The pattern is lost in English but shows the psalm was carefully crafted, perhaps to help it be memorised.
Key verses
Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
Psalm 25:1 · KJV
Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
Psalm 25:4-5 · KJV
Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
Psalm 25:8 · KJV
Cross references
- Psalm 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truthTeach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
- John 16:13 The Spirit of truth will guide you into all truthHowbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
- Psalm 103:10 God has not dealt with us after our sinsHe hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
- Psalm 37:11 The meek shall inherit the earth, like verse 13's promiseBut the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
- Matthew 5:5 Jesus blesses the meek, who shall inherit the earthBlessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
- Isaiah 40:31 They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strengthBut they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
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Common questions
What does Psalm 25 mean?
It is a prayer for God's direction, forgiveness and protection, made with confidence that a good God teaches sinners and guides the humble.
Who wrote Psalm 25?
Its superscription calls it A Psalm of David.
Is Psalm 25 an acrostic?
Yes. In Hebrew its verses follow the order of the Hebrew alphabet, with a few irregularities. Psalms 34, 119 and 145 are other acrostic psalms.
What is a good verse from Psalm 25 for guidance?
Verse 4 is a common choice: "Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths."
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