Teach Me Your Paths

[a] Of David.

25 To you, O Lord, I (A)lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I (B)trust;
    (C)let me not be put to shame;
    (D)let not my enemies exult over me.
Indeed, (E)none who wait for you shall be put to shame;
    they shall be ashamed who are (F)wantonly (G)treacherous.

(H)Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
    teach me your paths.
Lead me in your (I)truth and teach me,
    for you are the God of my salvation;
    for you I wait all the day long.

Remember your (J)mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,
    (K)for they have been from of old.
Remember not (L)the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
    according to your (M)steadfast love remember me,
    for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!

(N)Good and upright is the Lord;
    therefore he (O)instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
    and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are (P)steadfast love and faithfulness,
    for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

11 For your (Q)name's sake, O Lord,
    pardon my guilt, for it is (R)great.
12 Who is the man who fears the Lord?
    Him (S)will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
13 His soul shall (T)abide in well-being,
    and his (U)offspring (V)shall inherit the land.
14 (W)The friendship[b] of the Lord is for those who fear him,
    and he makes known to them his covenant.
15 My (X)eyes are ever toward the Lord,
    for he will (Y)pluck my feet out of the net.

16 (Z)Turn to me and be gracious to me,
    for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
    bring me out of my distresses.
18 (AA)Consider my affliction and my trouble,
    and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider how many are my foes,
    and with what violent hatred they hate me.
20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!
    (AB)Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
    for I wait for you.

22 (AC)Redeem Israel, O God,
    out of all his troubles.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 25:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet
  2. Psalm 25:14 Or The secret counsel

25 Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

(By David.)

A Prayer for Guidance and Help

I offer you my heart, Lord God,
    and I trust you.
Don't make me ashamed
    or let enemies defeat me.
Don't disappoint any
    of your worshipers,
but disappoint all
    deceitful liars.
Show me your paths
    and teach me to follow;
guide me by your truth
    and instruct me.
You keep me safe,
    and I always trust you.

Please, Lord, remember,
you have always
    been patient and kind.
Forget each wrong I did
    when I was young.
Show how truly kind you are
    and remember me.
You are honest and merciful,
and you teach sinners
    how to follow your path.

You lead humble people
to do what is right
    and to stay on your path.
10 In everything you do,
    you are kind and faithful
to everyone who keeps
    our agreement with you.

11 Be true to your name, Lord,
by forgiving each one
    of my terrible sins.
12 You will show the right path
    to all who worship you.
13 Then they will have plenty,
and their children
    will receive the land.

14 Our Lord, you are the friend
    of your worshipers,
and you make an agreement
    with all of us.
15 I always look to you,
because you rescue me
    from every trap.
16 I am lonely and troubled.
Show that you care
    and have pity on me.
17 My awful worries keep growing.
    Rescue me from sadness.
18 See my troubles and misery
    and forgive my sins.

19 Look at all my enemies!
    See how much they hate me.
20 I come to you for shelter.
Protect me, keep me safe,
    and don't disappoint me.
21 I obey you with all my heart,
and I trust you, knowing
    that you will save me.

22 Our God, please save Israel
    from all its troubles.