Psalm 25

Authorship

This Psalm was authored by David.

Outline

(This began as Wendland's Expository Outline, but may be adapted.)

I. Protect me. (1-3)

A. I lift up my soul to You.

B. I trust in You.

C. Let me not be ashamed because I wait on You.

D. Do not let my enemies triumph over me.

E. Let those be ashamed who transgress without cause.

II. Pilot me in Your paths. (4-5)

A. Show me Your ways.

B. Teach me Your paths.

C. Lead me in Your truth.

D. You are the God of my salvation.

E. I wait on You.

(Note: The psalmist was wanting, willing, and waiting to be led. Do you want His way, or are you only waiting for confirmation of your own plans?)

III. Pardon me. (6-7, 11)

A. Remember Your tender mercies and loving kindnesses from of old.

B. Remember not the sins of my youth.

C. Remember not my transgressions.

D. Forgive me according to Your mercy and goodness.

IV. Prepare me to walk in Your way. (8-11)

A. Teach me in the way.

B. Guide me in judgment.

C. Teach me Your way.

D. Lead me in paths of mercy and truth.

E. Help me keep Your covenant and testimonies.

F. Pardon my iniquity.

V. Prosper me because I fear You. (12-21)

A. Teach me in the way.

B. Let my soul dwell at ease.

C. Let my seed inherit the earth.

D. Reveal to me Your secrets and Your covenant.

E. Keep my eyes on You.

F. Deliver my feet out of the net of the enemy.

G. Have mercy upon me:

1. I am desolate and afflicted.

2. The troubles of my heart are enlarged.

H. Bring me out of my distresses.

I. Look upon my affliction and my pain.

J. Forgive all my sins.

K. Deliver me from my enemies:

1. They are many.

2. They hate me with cruel hatred.

L. Keep my soul.

M. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me.

N. Redeem me out of all my troubles.

Two words are used for redemption. One refers to purchase, as in the story of Ruth and Boaz. The other refers to power, as used here.

Textual Criticism

The following is from Barthélemy's Critique textuelle de l’Ancien Testament volume on the Psalms. For a key to the various symbols and abbreviations, click here.

Ps 25,7 וּפְשָׁעַי {A} MT, G, α', σ', ε'ς', Hebr, T // abr-styl: S om

Ps 25,17 הִרְחִיבוּ מִמּצוּקוֹתַי {A} MT, G, α'ε', σ', T // exeg: g, ς'θ', Hebr, S

Ps 25,21 קִוִּיתִיךָ {B} MT, G, α', σ', ε', Hebr, S T // facil-styl: g add κύριε