As an introduction to this study, please read the 1-minute devotion Sweet Sorrow and Shared Tears. It speaks about the comfort of God during times of great sorrow, testing, and grief. And it features Psalm 25, a psalm that shows great affection and gratitude toward God.
What does this psalm teach us about God's character? What does it teach us about healthy biblical attitudes toward adversity?
I've shared Psalm 25 in the KJV because I think it's an especially beautiful translation of this Psalm.
1To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
1To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
We rarely use the phrase "I lift up my soul" but it's a beautiful beginning to this prayer. In other translations, Psalm 25:1 is translated "In you, LORD my God, I put my trust…I give my life…I appeal to you."
In Psalm 24:4, the Psalmist describes the one who has a close relationship with God as he who has NOT "lifted up his soul unto vanity" (KJV), who has "clean hands and a pure heart (NIV).
Everyone lifts their soul to something, good or bad. When we lift our soul to God, we're placing ourselves in His hands and seeking His purposes and protection.
2 O my God, I trust in You;
Let me not be ashamed;
Let not my enemies triumph over me.
3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.
4 Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. 5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, For they are from of old. 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD.
David realizes some of his problems are caused by others, some of his problems are caused by his own sins (even sins he committed years earlier that had lasting consequences - v.7).
David comes to God repentant, dependent, and confident in God's ability to help him. This is an approach that will always help us when going through difficulty.
copyright 2014, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, updated and edited in 2023
3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.
4 Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. 5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, For they are from of old. 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD.
8 Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way. 9 The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way.
10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
11 For Your name’s sake, O LORD, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great. 12 Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. 13 He himself shall dwell in prosperity, And his descendants shall inherit the earth.
14 The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant. 15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD, For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me,
For I am desolate and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart have enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses!
18 Look on my affliction and my pain,
And forgive all my sins.
19 Consider my enemies, for they are many; And they hate me with cruel hatred. 20 Keep my soul, and deliver me; Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You. 21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, Out of all their troubles! (KJV)
10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
11 For Your name’s sake, O LORD, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great. 12 Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. 13 He himself shall dwell in prosperity, And his descendants shall inherit the earth.
14 The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant. 15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD, For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.
19 Consider my enemies, for they are many; And they hate me with cruel hatred. 20 Keep my soul, and deliver me; Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You. 21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, Out of all their troubles! (KJV)
Notice how this Psalm is a mixture of Praise, Pleading for God's help, and asking forgiveness.
David realizes some of his problems are caused by others, some of his problems are caused by his own sins (even sins he committed years earlier that had lasting consequences - v.7).
David comes to God repentant, dependent, and confident in God's ability to help him. This is an approach that will always help us when going through difficulty.
copyright 2014, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, updated and edited in 2023
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