Old Testament · Poetry

Psalm 25

Teach Me Your Paths

An acrostic prayer for guidance, forgiveness, and protection. David lays his shame on the table and asks God to remember mercy instead.

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Read the commentary What this chapter means, the background behind it, and why it still matters

Every verse here opens — tap a number for what that one means.

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.

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.

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.

Commentary

Psalm 25, explained

What Psalm 25 is saying

Psalm 25 is an acrostic lament-petition blending personal plea with wisdom instruction. The recurring vocabulary of 'way' (derek), 'path' (orach), and 'teach' (lamad/yareh) frames life as a journey requiring divine guidance. The confession in verse 7—'Remember not the sins of my youth'—introduces the theme of past failure alongside present dependence on God's chesed and emet (steadfast love and faithfulness).

The background behind it

The acrostic structure (each verse beginning with successive Hebrew letters, with some irregularities) suggests a didactic purpose, possibly for memorization. The inclusion of national concerns (v. 22, 'Redeem Israel') alongside personal petition indicates liturgical adaptation.

Themes running underneath

The psalm weaves together three threads: guidance (show me, teach me, lead me), forgiveness (remember not, pardon, forgive), and protection (guard my life, let me not be put to shame). God's covenant (berit) with those who fear Him is the ground of all three. The 'secret' (sod) of the LORD denotes intimate counsel.

Why it still matters

This psalm models prayer as the posture of a student before a teacher, acknowledging both ignorance and past failure. Its acrostic form suggests that spiritual growth involves learning the 'alphabet' of faithfulness through systematic, patient instruction.

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Scripture text: King James Version — public domain.

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