Protection, Guidance and Forgiveness

1 Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.

2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

6 Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.

7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.

8 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.

9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

12 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.

13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.

14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.

18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.

20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.

21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.

22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
--Psalm 25 KJV Bible

In this psalm, David petitions the Lord for protection, guidance, and pardon, describes some of the attributes of God, and prays for deliverance.

Psalm 25 is an alphabetic acrostic psalm. With minor exceptions, each of the twenty-two verses begins with a successive letter of the twenty-two lettered Hebrew alphabet.

In verses 1 through 7, David asks the Lord for protection from his enemies, guidance in righteousness, and pardon for his failings. David feels separated from God by his actions. He fears that God may no longer love him.

In verses 8 through 14, David describes some of the attributes of God. He is described as a teacher of righteousness. God guides the humble. God leads the faithful in truth, faithfulness, and love (the Hebrew "hesed"--the lovingkindness; the long-lasting, faithful love).

In verses 15 through 22, David prays for deliverance. David sees that his sin has left him trapped, alone, in pain, and surrounded by his enemies. In verse 22, David asks deliverance not only for himself, but for the nation.

O Lord, I thank You for Your faithful, everlasting love. Forgive me when I fail You; when I stumble. Pick me up and lead me in truth, faithfulness, and love.

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