New American Standard Bible

Note: This psalm is an alphabetic acrostic. Every verse starts (with a few exceptions) with each successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

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A. Prayer for Deliverance and Guidance

25:1 [this psalm begins and ends with a reference to trust in the Lord; cf. v. 21] To You, O Lord [Yahweh], I lift up my soul.


25:2 [notice the two petitions phrased in negative terms…] O my God [reference to the psalmist’s intimate relationship with the Lord], in You I trust [the psalmist was utterly dependent on God; “Faith is the cable which binds our boat to the shore…” CH Spurgeon], [1] Do not let me be ashamed [shame would lead to exultation on the part of the psalmist’s enemies]; [2] Do not let my enemies exult over me.

25:3 Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed; Those who deal treacherously [those who have no regard for he Lord] without cause will be ashamed [the reward for acting treacherously].

B. Prayer for Guidance and Forgiveness

25:4 [notice the petitions that are stated in positive terms…] [1] Make me know Your ways [cf. Ps. 103:7; understanding how to trust God even when there is no evidence of His acts], O Lord; [2] Teach me [“David knew much, but he felt his ignorance and desired to be still in the Lord’s school…” CH Spurgeon] Your paths [how to live life consistent with God’s Word].

25:5 [3] Lead me in Your truth [the manner in which we are to walk (in faithfulness)] and [4] teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day.

25:6 Remember, O Lord, Your compassion and Your lovingkindnesses [God’s mercy and commitment to love], For they have been from of old [or, from eternity].

25:7 Do not remember [please forget] the sins [both of omission and commission] of my youth or my transgressions; According to Your lovingkindness remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.

Note: A simple chiasmus within verses 6-7.

Remember your compassion and Your lovingkindness

   Do not remember my sins

Remember me according to your lovingkindness

C. Assurance of God’s Guidance

25:8 Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way.

25:9 He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way.

25:10 All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.

D. Prayer for Forgiveness

25:11 For Your name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great [David understood the scope and weight of his iniquity, he did not try to excuse it or minimize it].

E. Assurance of God’s Guidance

25:12 Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose.

25:13 His soul will abide in prosperity, And his descendants will inherit the land.

25:14 The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant.

F. Prayer for Deliverance and Protection

25:15 My eyes are continually toward the Lord [the psalmist trusted in God], For He will pluck my feet out of the net.

25:16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, For I am lonely and afflicted.

25:17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses.

25:18 Look upon my affliction and my trouble, And forgive all my sins.

25:19 Look upon my enemies, for they are many, And they hate me with violent hatred.

25:20 Guard my soul and deliver me; Do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You.

25:21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You.

25:22 [delivery, redemption, and salvation are for God’s glory and our good; a general prayer for the redemption of Israel] Redeem Israel, O God, Out of all his troubles.