UNROLL
Two faint footpaths parting on a high bare ridge in the Judean hills, a small heap of waymarking stones at the fork, under soft overcast.

Lament · David

Psalm 25

For when you don’t know the way, and some of the mess is your own doing. David asks for directions and forgiveness in one breath.

22 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

  1. 1–41Book IDavid's prayers: 'The LORD is my shepherd'Psalm 25
  2. 42–72Book II'As the deer pants'; the throne under pressure
  3. 73–89Book IIIAsaph and Korah: the kingdom falls
  4. 90–106Book IVBack to Moses: the LORD reigns
  5. 107–150Book VSongs of ascents, and the last Hallelujah

To You I Lift Up My Soul

Of David.

To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul;

in You, my God, I trust.

Do not let me be put to shame;

do not let my enemies exult over me.

Surely none who wait for You will be put to shame;

but those who engage in treachery without cause will be disgraced.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

Show me Your ways, O LORD;

teach me Your paths.

Guide me in Your truth and teach me,

for You are the God of my salvation;

all day long I wait for You.

Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths.

Psalm 25:4

Old sandal prints pressed into wet silt in a wadi bed, a thin sheet of clear water sliding over them and smoothing them away.

Remember, O LORD, Your compassion and loving devotion,

for they are from age to age.

Remember not the sins of my youth,

nor my rebellious acts;

remember me according to Your loving devotion,

because of Your goodness, O LORD.

Good and upright is the LORD;

therefore He shows sinners the way.

He guides the humble in what is right

and teaches them His way.

All the LORD’s ways are loving and faithful

to those who keep His covenant and His decrees.

For the sake of Your name, O LORD,

forgive my iniquity, for it is great.

Question

Quick question

Verse by verse, this prayer works through the Hebrew alphabet, one letter at a time.

Why might a poet build a prayer that way?

A fowler’s mesh of knotted cord pegged over a rocky path in first light, torn at one corner, a small brown bird lifting away free.

Who is the man who fears the LORD?

He will instruct him in the path chosen for him.

His soul will dwell in prosperity,

and his descendants will inherit the land.

The LORD confides in those who fear Him,

and reveals His covenant to them.

My eyes are always on the LORD,

for He will free my feet from the mesh.

0:20

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

One small stone hut on a bare hill at dusk, a single clay lamp burning in its doorway, empty hills reaching to the horizon.

Turn to me and be gracious,

for I am lonely and afflicted.

The troubles of my heart increase;

free me from my distress.

Consider my affliction and trouble,

and take away all my sins.

Consider my enemies, for they are many,

and they hate me with vicious hatred.

Guard my soul and deliver me;

let me not be put to shame,

for I take refuge in You.

May integrity and uprightness preserve me,

because I wait for You.

Redeem Israel, O God, from all its distress.

Pray

A decision in front of you

Name one decision you are facing. Pray verses 4 and 5 over it, slowly: “Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths.” Then say it again tomorrow, and wait for Him “all day long.”

You’ve experienced

Psalm 25

0 of 150 psalms read

A verse to carry with you

Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths.

Psalm 25:4

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