The Meaning of God's "Ways" in Psalm 25:4

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Introduction

Psalm 25:4 reads as follows according to the Masoretic Text:[1]

דְּרָכֶ֣יךָ יְ֭הוָה הוֹדִיעֵ֑נִי
אֹ֖רְחוֹתֶ֣יךָ לַמְּדֵֽנִי׃

In this verse, the psalmist asks the Lord to show him his "ways" and teach him his "paths." Similar language occurs in other parts of the psalm. See, for example, vv. 4–5 and vv. 8–9, which read as follows according to the NRSVue:

v. 4. Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.
v. 5. Lead me in your truth and teach me...
v. 8. Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
v. 9. He leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble his way.


A key question is whether God's "ways" and "paths" in v. 4 refer (1) to his own character according to which he himself walks or (2) to the covenant instruction (Torah) in which he calls his people to walk. How one answers this question not only has implications for the translation of v. 4, but also for vv. 5, 8–9 and for the interpretation of the psalm as a whole.

Argument Maps

God's Ways = His Covenant Instruction (preferred)

Most scholars have argued (or assumed) that God's "ways" in v. 4 refer to the covenant instruction in which he calls his people to walk. This interpretation is reflected in a number of modern translations, for example, the NLT: "Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow." 

 
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[Covenant Instruction]: God's "ways" in v. 4 refer to his covenant instruction (Torah) in which he calls his people to walk (Finsterbusch 2007 :M:; Hossfeld 1993, 165), his "instruction of sinners from his torah to help them live faithful lives" (Abernethy 2015, 344 :A:, summarizing Finsterbusch's position).
 + <"Way" as Torah>: Elsewhere, YHWH's "ways" can refer to the covenant instruction in which he calls his people to walk.
  + ["Way" as Torah]: "You shall walk in all the way (בְּכָל־הַדֶּרֶךְ) that the LORD your God has commanded you" (Deut 5:33, NIV); "For I have kept the ways of the LORD (דַּרְכֵי יְהוָה)" (Ps 18:22, NLT); "Teach me (הוֹרֵנִי), O LORD, the way of (דֶּרֶךְ חֻקֶּיךָ) your statutes; and I will keep it to the end" (Ps 119:33, ESV).
 + <Psalmist walking>: Several lines in Psalm 25 unambiguously indicate that the *psalmist* (rather than YHWH) is the one walking in YHWH's ways.
  + [Psalmist walking]: v. 5a: "Cause me to walk (הַדְרִיכֵנִי) in your truth" (cf. HALOT :L: on דרך hiphil); v. 9a: "he causes the humble to walk (יַדְרֵךְ) in justice;" v. 12b: "he instructs him in the way which he should choose (בְּדֶרֶךְ יִבְחָר).
 + <"Covenant stipulations" (v. 10b)>: The first half of the psalm ends (v. 10b) by mentioning those who keep YHWH's covenant stipulations" (cf. Ps 119:1–3, where keeping YHHW's stipulations is equated with walking in his paths).
  + [v. 10b]: "to those who keep his covenant and his stipulations (לְנֹצְרֵי בְרִיתוֹ וְעֵדֹתָיו)" (v. 10b). 
  + [Ps 119:1–3]: "The happiness of those blameless in their way, of those walking in the teaching of YHWH! The happiness of those keeping his testimonies (נֹצְרֵי עֵדֹתָיו)! ... They have walked in his ways" (Ps 119:1–3, CBC).
 + <"Teach" (למּד)>: The use of the verb "teach" (למד piel) in v. 4b (also vv. 5, 9) implies that YHWH is teaching the psalmist to act/walk a certain way and not just teaching him about his own character.
  + <Meaning of למּד>: "In its prototypical usage, למד (piel) refers to teachers who intentionally engage their students in repeated practice of a particular skill or habit so that the student will master the skill... it involves doing what is being mastered" (Widder 2014, §4.5 :M:; cf. SDBH :L:: "learning to the point of doing"). 
   + [למד + pathway]: E.g., Isa 40:14 (וַיְלַמְּדֵהוּ בְּאֹרַח מִשְׁפָּט); Jer 2:33 (גַּם אֶת־הָרָעוֹת לִמַּדְתְּ אֶת־דְּרָכָיִךְ); Ps 51:15 (אֲלַמְּדָה פֹשְׁעִים דְּרָכֶיךָ).
 - <Distressing situation>: The psalmist is in a distressing situation, threatened by enemies (vv. 2b, 15–20). In this context, it would make sense for him to ask God to show him his "ways" by intervening in his situation, but it does not make sense for him to ask God to provide moral instruction.#dispreferred
  - <Ps 119>: The author of Psalm 119 also finds himself in a distressing situation, threatened by enemies (e.g., vv. 51, 61, 78, 84, 95, 98, 110, 121–122, 143, 157), and yet the request for moral instruction in this psalm is unmistakable.
  - <v. 21>: "God as teacher and God as savior are effectively integrated into the psalmist's final petition. Through God's teaching, the psalmist appropriates moral integrity and thereby preserves his life" (Brown 2002, 194 :M:).
   + [v. 21]: "May integrity and godliness protect me (תֹּם־וָיֹשֶׁר יִצְּרוּנִי)" (Ps 25:21, NET). 
  - <Covenantal context>: In Psalm 25, the first-person singular speaker is Israel (see v. 22), and in Israel's covenantal context, covenant disobedience is closely tied to the experience of suffering and distress (covenant curses; cf. Deut 28:15–68), while covenant obedience is closely tied to freedom from distress and victory over enemies (covenant blessings; cf. Deut 28:1–14). Israel would only be redeemed from their troubles when they turned to YHWH and walked in his ways (Deut 30:1–3; Ezek 36:22–32).
   + [v. 22]: "God, redeem Israel from all of their troubles" (v. 22).


Argument Mapn0Covenant InstructionGod's "ways" in v. 4 refer to his covenant instruction (Torah) in which he calls his people to walk (Finsterbusch 2007 🄼; Hossfeld 1993, 165), his "instruction of sinners from his torah to help them live faithful lives" (Abernethy 2015, 344 🄰, summarizing Finsterbusch's position).n1"Way" as Torah"You shall walk in all the way (בְּכָל־הַדֶּרֶךְ) that the LORD your God has commanded you" (Deut 5:33, NIV); "For I have kept the ways of the LORD (דַּרְכֵי יְהוָה)" (Ps 18:22, NLT); "Teach me (הוֹרֵנִי), O LORD, the way of (דֶּרֶךְ חֻקֶּיךָ) your statutes; and I will keep it to the end" (Ps 119:33, ESV).n8"Way" as TorahElsewhere, YHWH's "ways" can refer to the covenant instruction in which he calls his people to walk.n1->n8n2Psalmist walkingv. 5a: "Cause me to walk (הַדְרִיכֵנִי) in your truth" (cf. HALOT 🄻 on דרך hiphil); v. 9a: "he causes the humble to walk (יַדְרֵךְ) in justice;" v. 12b: "he instructs him in the way which he should choose (בְּדֶרֶךְ יִבְחָר).n9Psalmist walkingSeveral lines in Psalm 25 unambiguously indicate that the psalmist  (rather than YHWH) is the one walking in YHWH's ways.n2->n9n3v. 10b"to those who keep his covenant and his stipulations (לְנֹצְרֵי בְרִיתוֹ וְעֵדֹתָיו)" (v. 10b). n10"Covenant stipulations" (v. 10b)The first half of the psalm ends (v. 10b) by mentioning those who keep YHWH's covenant stipulations" (cf. Ps 119:1–3, where keeping YHHW's stipulations is equated with walking in his paths).n3->n10n4Ps 119:1–3"The happiness of those blameless in their way, of those walking in the teaching of YHWH! The happiness of those keeping his testimonies (נֹצְרֵי עֵדֹתָיו)! ... They have walked in his ways" (Ps 119:1–3, CBC).n4->n10n5למד + pathwayE.g., Isa 40:14 (וַיְלַמְּדֵהוּ בְּאֹרַח מִשְׁפָּט); Jer 2:33 (גַּם אֶת־הָרָעוֹת לִמַּדְתְּ אֶת־דְּרָכָיִךְ); Ps 51:15 (אֲלַמְּדָה פֹשְׁעִים דְּרָכֶיךָ).n12Meaning of למּד"In its prototypical usage, למד (piel) refers to teachers who intentionally engage their students in repeated practice of a particular skill or habit so that the student will master the skill... it involves doing what is being mastered" (Widder 2014, §4.5 🄼; cf. SDBH 🄻: "learning to the point of doing"). n5->n12n6v. 21"May integrity and godliness protect me (תֹּם־וָיֹשֶׁר יִצְּרוּנִי)" (Ps 25:21, NET). n15v. 21"God as teacher and God as savior are effectively integrated into the psalmist's final petition. Through God's teaching, the psalmist appropriates moral integrity and thereby preserves his life" (Brown 2002, 194 🄼).n6->n15n7v. 22"God, redeem Israel from all of their troubles" (v. 22).n16Covenantal contextIn Psalm 25, the first-person singular speaker is Israel (see v. 22), and in Israel's covenantal context, covenant disobedience is closely tied to the experience of suffering and distress (covenant curses; cf. Deut 28:15–68), while covenant obedience is closely tied to freedom from distress and victory over enemies (covenant blessings; cf. Deut 28:1–14). Israel would only be redeemed from their troubles when they turned to YHWH and walked in his ways (Deut 30:1–3; Ezek 36:22–32).n7->n16n8->n0n9->n0n10->n0n11"Teach" (למּד)The use of the verb "teach" (למד piel) in v. 4b (also vv. 5, 9) implies that YHWH is teaching the psalmist to act/walk a certain way and not just teaching him about his own character.n11->n0n12->n11n13Distressing situationThe psalmist is in a distressing situation, threatened by enemies (vv. 2b, 15–20). In this context, it would make sense for him to ask God to show him his "ways" by intervening in his situation, but it does not make sense for him to ask God to provide moral instruction.n13->n0n14Ps 119The author of Psalm 119 also finds himself in a distressing situation, threatened by enemies (e.g., vv. 51, 61, 78, 84, 95, 98, 110, 121–122, 143, 157), and yet the request for moral instruction in this psalm is unmistakable.n14->n13n15->n13n16->n13


God's Ways = His Character

Some scholars have argued that God's "ways" in v. 4 refer to God's own attributes, or character. Thus, the request to "show me your ways" is a request for God to intervene in the psalmist's circumstances and thereby reveal his character. 

 
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[Character]: God's "ways" in v. 4 refer to his character, "God teaching his people about himself - his ways - by intervening in their circumstances" (Abernethy 2015, 339 :A:).#dispreferred
 + <v. 10>: "YHWH's 'ways' in 10a refer to his character of steadfast-love and faithfulness toward the faithful, not to God's demands in torah. In fact, verse 10 is the first time ארחות occurs after verse 4, making it most likely that verse 10 would retrospectively clarify (if ambiguity persisted) that God's 'ways' in verse 4 are God's faithful actions" (Abernethy 2015, 345 :A:).#dispreferred
  + [v. 10]: "All the paths of the Lord (אָרְחוֹת יְהוָה) are steadfast love and faithfulness (חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת)" (Ps 25:10, NRSVue).#dispreferred
  <_ <No persisting ambiguity>: Any ambiguity in the meaning of the phrase "your ways" (v. 4) has already been resolved by the immediate context (vv. 4–5; see previous argument map). Verse 10, which occurs several verses later, is neither necessary nor decisive for disambiguation.
  <_ <Poetic juxtaposition>: There is a poetic juxtaposition between the way in which YHWH calls his people to walk (vv. 4–5, 8–9) and the way in which YHWH himself walks (v. 10). "The psalmist’s 'way' is linked with Yahweh’s 'way' ... On the journey, Yahweh’s salvific presence and the psalmist’s moral resolve intersect" (Basson 2011, 25 :A:).
 + <Exodus 33–34>: Psalm 25 alludes to "the 'way' tradition" in Exodus 33–34 (cf. Ps 103:7–8), and in Exodus 33:13 God's "ways" are his character, his ways of dealing with people (Abernethy 2015, 346 :A:).#dispreferred
  + [Exod 33:13; 34:6]: "'Please show me (הוֹדִעֵנִי) now your ways (דְּרָכֶךָ), that I may know you...' ... The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness'" (Exod 33:13; 34:6, ESV).#dispreferred
  + [Ps 103:7–8]: "He made known (יוֹדִיעַ) his ways (דְּרָכָיו) to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love" (Ps 103:7–8, NIV).#dispreferred
  + <Allusion to Exodus 33–34>: There are several echoes of Exodus 33–34 in Psalm 25.#dispreferred
   + [Ps 25 and Exod 33–34]: חטא (Ps 25:7, 8; Exod 34:7, 9), פשׁע (Ps 25:7; Exod 34:7) עָוֹן (Ps 25:11; Exod 34:7, 9), רחם (Ps 25:6; Exod 33:19; 34:6), חסד (Ps 25:6, 10; Exod 34:6–7), אמת (Ps 25:10; Exod 34:6), ברית (Ps 25:10, 14; Exod 34:10, 27), סלח (Ps 25:11; Exod 34:9), שׁם (Ps 25:11; Exod 33:18; 34:5), חנן (Ps 25:16; Exod 33:19; 34:6).#dispreferred


Argument Mapn0CharacterGod's "ways" in v. 4 refer to his character, "God teaching his people about himself - his ways - by intervening in their circumstances" (Abernethy 2015, 339 🄰).n1v. 10"All the paths of the Lord (אָרְחוֹת יְהוָה) are steadfast love and faithfulness (חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת)" (Ps 25:10, NRSVue).n5v. 10"YHWH's 'ways' in 10a refer to his character of steadfast-love and faithfulness toward the faithful, not to God's demands in torah. In fact, verse 10 is the first time ארחות occurs after verse 4, making it most likely that verse 10 would retrospectively clarify (if ambiguity persisted) that God's 'ways' in verse 4 are God's faithful actions" (Abernethy 2015, 345 🄰).n1->n5n2Exod 33:13; 34:6"'Please show me (הוֹדִעֵנִי) now your ways (דְּרָכֶךָ), that I may know you...' ... The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness'" (Exod 33:13; 34:6, ESV).n8Exodus 33–34Psalm 25 alludes to "the 'way' tradition" in Exodus 33–34 (cf. Ps 103:7–8), and in Exodus 33:13 God's "ways" are his character, his ways of dealing with people (Abernethy 2015, 346 🄰).n2->n8n3Ps 103:7–8"He made known (יוֹדִיעַ) his ways (דְּרָכָיו) to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love" (Ps 103:7–8, NIV).n3->n8n4Ps 25 and Exod 33–34חטא (Ps 25:7, 8; Exod 34:7, 9), פשׁע (Ps 25:7; Exod 34:7) עָוֹן (Ps 25:11; Exod 34:7, 9), רחם (Ps 25:6; Exod 33:19; 34:6), חסד (Ps 25:6, 10; Exod 34:6–7), אמת (Ps 25:10; Exod 34:6), ברית (Ps 25:10, 14; Exod 34:10, 27), סלח (Ps 25:11; Exod 34:9), שׁם (Ps 25:11; Exod 33:18; 34:5), חנן (Ps 25:16; Exod 33:19; 34:6).n9Allusion to Exodus 33–34There are several echoes of Exodus 33–34 in Psalm 25.n4->n9n5->n0n6No persisting ambiguityAny ambiguity in the meaning of the phrase "your ways" (v. 4) has already been resolved by the immediate context (vv. 4–5; see previous argument map). Verse 10, which occurs several verses later, is neither necessary nor decisive for disambiguation.n6->n5n7Poetic juxtapositionThere is a poetic juxtaposition between the way in which YHWH calls his people to walk (vv. 4–5, 8–9) and the way in which YHWH himself walks (v. 10). "The psalmist’s 'way' is linked with Yahweh’s 'way' ... On the journey, Yahweh’s salvific presence and the psalmist’s moral resolve intersect" (Basson 2011, 25 🄰).n7->n5n8->n0n9->n8


Conclusion (A)

In conclusion, we agree with many interpreters and translators that YHWH's "ways" in v. 4 refer to his covenantal instructions, his torah. The psalmist wants to live a life that is faithful to YHWH, that conforms to YHWH's covenant requirements and, ultimately, to YHWH's own character. Thus, he asks YHWH to "show" him his "ways" (v. 4a) and to "teach" him to walk in his "paths" (v. 4b).

The following points support this interpretation:

  1. This interpretation of YHWH's "ways" – as covenant instruction in which he calls his people to walk – is clearly attested elsewhere (e.g., Deut 5:33; Pss 18:22; 119:33).
  2. Several lines in Psalm 25 unambiguously indicate that the psalmist (rather than YHWH) is the one walking in YHWH's ways (vv. 5a, 9a, 12b).
  3. The second half of v. 4 uses the verb למד (piel) – "teach me your paths" – and this verb implies "learning to the point of doing (SDBH); "it involves doing what is being mastered."[2]


Some might object that this interpretation of YHWH's "ways" does not make sense in the situational context, where the psalmist is threatened by enemies (vv. 2b, 15–20). However, in the framework of Israel's covenant with YHWH, covenant disobedience was closely tied to the experience of suffering and distress (covenant curses; cf. Deut 28:15–68), while covenant obedience was closely tied to freedom from distress and victory over enemies (covenant blessings; cf. Deut 28:1–14). Israel would only be redeemed from their troubles when they turned to YHWH and walked in his ways (Deut 30:1–3; Ezek 36:22–32). Within this covenantal framework, it makes sense that the psalmist, threatened by enemies, would ask YHWH for guidance to live a righteous life. Indeed, this context explains why, near the end of the poem, the psalmist can say, "Integrity and justice will keep me safe" (v. 21).

Research

Translations

Ancient

  • LXX: τὰς ὁδούς σου, κύριε, γνώρισόν μοι καὶ τὰς τρίβους σου δίδαξόν με[3]
    • "Make known to me, O Lord, your ways, and teach me your paths."[4]
  • Symmachus: ... τὰς πορείας σου δίδαξόν με[5]
  • Sexta: ... καὶ τὰς μεθόδ(ους) σου ...[6]
  • Peshitta: ܐܘܪ̈ܚܬܟ ܡܪܝܐ ܚܘܢܝ܂ ܘܫܒܝ̈ܠܝܟ ܐܘܕܥܝܢܝ܂[7]
    • "Show me your ways, O Lord; make known to me your paths."[8]
  • Targum: אורחתך ייי אודע יתי הילכתך אליף יתי׃[9]
    • "Make me to know your paths, O Lord; teach me your ways."[10]
  • Jerome (iuxta Hebr.): vias tuas Domine ostende mihi | semitas tuas doce me[11]

Modern

Ambiguous

  • Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. (NRSVue, ESV)
  • Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. (NIV)
  • Teach me your ways, O LORD; make them known to me. (GNT)
  • Make me understand your ways, O LORD! Teach me your paths! (NET)
  • Let me know Your paths, O ETERNAL One; teach me Your ways; (NJPS)
  • Make thy paths known to me, O Lord; teach me thy ways (NEB)
  • Make your paths known to me, Lord; teach me your ways (REB)
  • HERR, zeige mir deine Wege und lehre mich deine Steige! (LUT)
  • Deine Wege, HERR, tue mir kund, deine Pfade lehre mich! (ELB)
  •  Zeige mir, HERR, deine Wege, lehre mich deine Pfade! (EÜ)
  • Zeige mir, HERR, deine Wege, lehre mich deine Pfade. (ZÜR)
  • Fais-moi connaître tes chemins, SEIGNEUR ; enseigne-moi tes routes. (TOB)
  • Seigneur, fais-moi connaître tes chemins, apprends-moi tes voies (NBS)
  • Éternel ! fais-moi connaître tes chemins, Enseigne-moi tes voies. (NVS78P)
  • Eternel, fais-moi connaître tes voies, enseigne-moi tes sentiers! (S21)
  • Muéstrame, Jehová, tus caminos; enséñame tus sendas. (RVR95)
  • Señor, hazme conocer tus caminos; y enséñame tus sendas. (NVI)
  • Muéstrame, oh YHVH, tus caminos, Enséñame tus sendas. (BTX4)

Covenant Instruction

  • Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. (NLT)
  • Direct me in your ways, Yahweh, and teach me your paths. (NJPS)
  • Show me your paths and teach me to follow; (CEV)
  • HERR, zeige mir, welchen Weg ich einschlagen soll, und lass mich erkennen, was du von mir willst! (HFA)
  • HERR, zeige mir deine Wege und lehre mich, auf deinen Pfaden zu gehen! (NGÜ)
  • HERR, zeig mir den Weg, den ich gehen soll; lass mich erkennen, was du von mir verlangst. (GNB)
  • O Eternel, ╵montre-moi le chemin, enseigne-moi ╵quelle est la voie ╵que tu veux que je suive. (BDS)
  • Seigneur, fais-moi connaître le chemin à suivre, apprends-moi à vivre comme tu veux. (PDV2017)
  • Seigneur, fais-moi connaître le chemin à suivre, enseigne-moi à vivre comme tu le veux. (NFC)
  • Señor, muéstrame tus caminos; guíame por tus senderos; (DHH94I)

Secondary Literature

Abernethy, Andrew T. 2015. “God as Teacher in Psalm 25.” Vetus Testamentum 65 (3): 339–51.
Basson, Alec. 2011. “The Path Image Schema as Underlying Structure for the Metaphor Moral Life Is a Journey in Psalm 25.” OTE 24 (1): 19–29.
Brown, William P. 2002. Seeing the Psalms: A Theology of Metaphor. Westminster John Knox Press.
Finsterbusch, Karin. 2007. JHWH als Lehrer der Menschen: ein Beitrag zur Gottesvorstellung der Hebräischen Bibel. Biblisch-Theologische Studien 90. Neukirchener.
Hossfeld, Frank-Lothar, and Erich Zenger. 1993. Die Psalmen I: Psalm 1–50. Neue Echter Bibel. Echter.
Widder, Wendy L. 2014. “To Teach” in Ancient Israel: A Cognitive Linguistic Study of a Biblical Hebrew Lexical Set. Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 456. De Gruyter.

References

25:4

  1. ↑ Text from Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible.
  2. ↑ Widder 2014, §4.5.
  3. ↑ Rahlfs 1931, 114.
  4. ↑ NETS.
  5. ↑ Göttingen Hexapla Database, from Ra 264.
  6. ↑ Göttingen Hexapla Database, from Ra 264.
  7. ↑ CAL.
  8. ↑ Taylor 2020, 85.
  9. ↑ CAL.
  10. ↑ Stec 2004, 63.
  11. ↑ Weber-Gryson 5th edition.