Psalm 25

Dependence on the Lord

Of David.

Lord, I appeal to you.[a](A)
My God, I trust in you.
Do not let me be disgraced;(B)
do not let my enemies gloat over me.(C)
No one who waits for you
will be disgraced;(D)
those who act treacherously without cause
will be disgraced.(E)

Make your ways known to me, Lord;
teach me your paths.(F)
Guide me in your truth and teach me,(G)
for you are the God of my salvation;(H)
I wait for you all day long.(I)
Remember, Lord, your compassion
and your faithful love,
for they have existed from antiquity.[b](J)
Do not remember the sins of my youth(K)
or my acts of rebellion;(L)
in keeping with your faithful love, remember me
because of your goodness, Lord.(M)

The Lord is good and upright;(N)
therefore he shows sinners the way.(O)
He leads the humble in what is right(P)
and teaches them his way.(Q)
10 All the Lord’s ways show faithful love and truth
to those who keep his covenant and decrees.(R)
11 Lord, for the sake of your name,
forgive my iniquity, for it is immense.(S)

12 Who is this person who fears the Lord?(T)
He will show him the way he should choose.(U)
13 He will live a good life,
and his descendants will inherit the land.[c](V)
14 The secret counsel of the Lord
is for those who fear him,
and he reveals his covenant to them.(W)
15 My eyes are always on the Lord,
for he will pull my feet out of the net.(X)

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am alone and afflicted.(Y)
17 The distresses of my heart increase;[d](Z)
bring me out of my sufferings.(AA)
18 Consider my affliction and trouble,(AB)
and forgive all my sins.(AC)
19 Consider my enemies; they are numerous,(AD)
and they hate me violently.(AE)
20 Guard me and rescue me;(AF)
do not let me be disgraced,
for I take refuge in you.(AG)
21 May integrity and what is right
watch over me,
for I wait for you.(AH)

22 God, redeem Israel, from all its distresses.(AI)

Footnotes

  1. 25:1 Or To you, Lord, I lift up my soul
  2. 25:6 Or everlasting
  3. 25:13 Or earth
  4. 25:17 Or Relieve the distresses of my heart

25 1-2 My head is high, God, held high;
I’m looking to you, God;
No hangdog skulking for me.

I’ve thrown in my lot with you;
You won’t embarrass me, will you?
Or let my enemies get the best of me?

Don’t embarrass any of us
Who went out on a limb for you.
It’s the traitors who should be humiliated.

Show me how you work, God;
School me in your ways.

Take me by the hand;
Lead me down the path of truth.
You are my Savior, aren’t you?

Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, God;
Rebuild the ancient landmarks!

Forget that I sowed wild oats;
Mark me with your sign of love.
Plan only the best for me, God!

God is fair and just;
He corrects the misdirected,
Sends them in the right direction.

He gives the rejects his hand,
And leads them step-by-step.

10 From now on every road you travel
Will take you to God.
Follow the Covenant signs;
Read the charted directions.

11 Keep up your reputation, God;
Forgive my bad life;
It’s been a very bad life.

12 My question: What are God-worshipers like?
Your answer: Arrows aimed at God’s bull’s-eye.

13 They settle down in a promising place;
Their kids inherit a prosperous farm.

14 God-friendship is for God-worshipers;
They are the ones he confides in.

15 If I keep my eyes on God,
I won’t trip over my own feet.

16 Look at me and help me!
I’m all alone and in big trouble.

17 My heart and mind are fighting each other;
Call a truce to this civil war.

18 Take a hard look at my life of hard labor,
Then lift this ton of sin.

19 Do you see how many people
Have it in for me?
How viciously they hate me?

20 Keep watch over me and keep me out of trouble;
Don’t let me down when I run to you.

21 Use all your skill to put me together;
I wait to see your finished product.

22 God, give your people a break
From this run of bad luck.