Journal on Psalm 25

Introduction:
      During the time leading up to Passiontide this year I intended to study the book of Psalms. I guess God, in his providence had other ideas because I got stuck in Psalm 25 and couldn't get past it. This is a Psalm you don't hear mentioned much. It doesn't have the recognition of Psalm 23 or 51, yet as I read through it I saw the rich truths of the gospel expounded on. Themes like grace, mercy, redemption, sanctification and judgment being well articulated 1,000 years before Jesus would bring all to fulfillment.
       What follows is the result of that period of study. I put it together because as it was very enriching to me, I felt that others might benefit as well. It's about 7 pages long but it's broken down almost verse by verse (really thought by thought) so it can be used as a daily devotional. You will notice that a large percentage of the verbage in the verse commentaries are actual scripture. I don't remember where I heard it but I heard of a preacher who said,  "The moment I leave the text of scripture and begin my own commentary, I have embarked on the path towards heresy." As such I have attempted to let God's own word provide the explanations for the verses itself. The less of me, the  better. I  also wrote out most of the scriptures so they would be right in front of you, I did this so that if you read it as a devotional, you would get a fair bit of God's word through it. I would encourage you to look up those verses that are only referenced.
      I should explain the word “Journal” in the title. This paper contains my personal thoughts, reflections, and scripture passages that came to mind as I was studying this psalm. It is not a commentary or an expository teaching.
      There are no copyright restrictions on this journal so if you believe someone else may benefit from it, please feel free to copy, email or otherwise disperse it. My only interest is building the body of Christ. I have no desire to benefit personally or get recognition for myself. (Although  I did put my name on it, but I'm nobody anyway) The only request that I have is that you not alter it. You can always attach your own page if you desire.
      I hope and pray that you find this journal useful and are blessed by it.

Vs.1-2a, "To you O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God."

      There is nothing or anyone who is truly trustworthy besides the Lord. Isa. 46:9-11,"...I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do." No one else can make that claim. God's purposes will never fail. That makes him completely trustworthy. To trust in anything other than God is to make an idol out of that thing. This violates the first of the 10 commandments: Ex. 20:3, "You shall have no other gods before me." To place our confidence in something or someone other than God, is to make it our object of worship. Jeremiah says it like this in chapter 17:5, 7, "This is what the Lord says: 'Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.' " (vs. 7) "But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him."
       In this first verse of Psalm 25, David is not just acknowledging his trust, but when he says: "To you O Lord, I lift up my soul", he is saying that he trusts God enough to commit his very being into the hands of God. God described David as a "man after my own heart" (1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22). Even though by all accounts, David was a total mess, his trust was in God alone.

Vs. 2b-3, "Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come to those who are treacherous without cause."

       This is both a petition and a promise. In vs.2 David asks God that he would never be put to shame nor be crushed by his enemies but in vs.3, the promise is that if a person trusts in God they will never be put to shame. I believe the issue is trust. In our human frailty we have a hard time trusting completely in God. One of the most honest heartfelt prayers I have ever prayed (and regularly pray) is the the prayer found in Mark 9:24, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief." God knows we are but dust and we are frail that's why in Romans 8: 26-27 it says,"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordles groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God."

Vs. 4-5, "Show me your ways Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

        This is what God was saying when he called David, a man after his own heart. It's in stark contrast with the Israelites request in Ex. 20:19, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die." David asks just the opposite. He doesn't ask God to send someone else to teach him God's ways. He desires God himself to teach him and show him his ways. He also recognizes that God is his Savior. Just by implication, David recognizes that he needs a savior.
        Back to the children of Israel: God grants the people's request and speaks to Moses directly. But in Ex.34:29-35, Moses returns and his face is glowing. It says that the people were afraid to be near him. It's almost comical in a sad sort of way. First, God speaks directly to the people. The people are so terrified that they ask Moses to be the intermediary. Now Moses returns after communing directly with God, and the people don't want to be near him. This is a clear picture of man in his fallen state. From the time of the fall, man has tried to hide from God. Romans 8:7,"The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so." Close encounters with God have always exposed man's sinfulness. Isa. 6:5, " 'Woe to me', I cried. 'I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the almighty.' "Also Luke 5:8, "When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, 'Go away from me Lord; I am a sinful man.' "Thankfully in both of these cases, God bridged the gap and made the way for man to be able to stand before him. But the hostility of the sinful nature is such that, not only do we avoid a direct encounter with God himself; we will avoid people who have had a close encounter with God. (John 15:18-25) Later in this Psalm we will see why David is able to yearn and long to be close to God.

Vs. 6 "Remember O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old."

        God's Mercy was shown as soon as sin entered the world. Gen. 2:17, God said, "But you must not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." In chapter 3 we see that they disobey--sin enters the world and judgment comes down on the man, the woman and the serpent. But mercy is also extended. They will continue living and produce offspring. In vs. 15 we have the first prophesy that a savior would come.
       An amazing example of God extending mercy is in the case of Cain murdering Abel. After God pronounces judgment, Cain says in vs. 13, "My punishment is more than I can bear..." This is an amazing statement considering what he had done. He's really getting off easy. Under the law he would have been put to death. God doesn't respond by saying, "You should have thought of that before you killed your brother." Instead in vs. 15, " 'Not so, anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.' Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him." It is an incredible display of God's mercy that in judging Cain he also places him under his divine protection. Mercy is completely undeserved.

Vs. 7, "Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord."

        This is a prayer we all must pray because all of us are guilty of sin. It is only by Jesus taking our sins on himself that we can be forgiven. This verse has both confession and the plea for forgiveness. Rev. 20:13 says that everyone will be judged according to what he has done. Our hope lies in the fact that God promises that he will not remember our sins. Jer. 31:34,"...For I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more."  1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."  God's goodness and righteousness requires that he must punish sin. (Ex. 34:7) The only way God could forgive us without violating his perfect righteousness was for someone else to bear our punishment for us. Isa 53:6b,"...The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all".

Vs.8,"Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways."

       In the story of the rich young ruler, Jesus said that only God is good. (Mark 10:18) He is the standard of goodness, perfection, and righteousness. Jesus calls us to come and "learn from me". (Matt. 11:29) This is yet another display of his mercy because, in his justice, he should be punishing sinners. Not instructing them.
       Exodus 34:6-7 is an amazing passage, “And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.”
       Romans 3:22 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
This presents an issue as we see a major tension within the character of God. How can God forgive wickedness, rebellion and sin when his justice demands that he must punish the wicked. It It is literally a case of the “unstoppable force meets the immovable object”. That is precisely what happened at the cross. As vs. 26 in Romans 3 says, “So as to be JUST and the one who JUSTIFIES those who have faith in Jesus. (caps mine)
      Once we are justified begins the process of sanctification. Heb. 10 14, :Because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” He has made (past tense) perfect  those who are being (present tense)  made holy.
       Vs. 8, “Instructs sinners in his ways” speaks of the process of sanctification, ie, “Being made holy”. That can only take place once our sins have been removed. Hebrews 10:16 (quoting Jer. 31:33), “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts and I will write them on their minds.”
      Notice that it is the work that only God can do. We cannot write anything on our hearts or minds. Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit that God accomplishes in the life of a believer.


Vs. 9,"He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way".

       Humility is not about walking around sheepishly with a forlorn, hangdog look. It's about recognizing your total dependence on God. In Job 40:9-14, God asks Job a series of questions basically asking Job if he can do what only God can do. In verse 14 God says that if Job can, "Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you." Of course, we can't do any of the things God described in these verses that he can do. Therefore it's our duty to humbly admit and confess that we are completely helpless to save ourselves and are totally dependent on him. This attitude and posture of humility brings God's blessings. He says in James 4:6,"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble"(quoting Prov.3:34) And in Isa. 66:2,"This is the one I esteem. he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

Vs. 10,"All of the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant."

        I heard a sermon recently that was delivered many years ago by Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones in which he said that the gospel has only one message to the unrepentant--judgment awaits. As this verse states, the lovingkindness of God is to those who repent and place their faith in Christ. In the law, Deuteronomy 28 gives the list of blessings and curses. Blessings for obedience, and curses for disobedience. In Deut 30:19,"This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live." the grace and blessings are for those who walk in humble obedience to him. To walk in disobedience is to invite curses. (judgment)

Vs. 11,"For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great."

       Ezek 36:22,"...It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone." The following verses from 23-31 speak of God restoring his people and giving them a "heart of flesh" and his spirit that will cause them to obey (vs.27). Our salvation has nothing to do with us, our desire or any goodness within us. It has everything to do with God glorifying himself. He's doing it for his glory. Romans 9:16,"It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy". This brings back the issue of humility--the confession that we are completely helpless and dependant on God's mercy.

Vs. 12,"Who then is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him."

       Prov.1:7,"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." The reason the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge is because he is the source of all wisdom and knowledge. He provides education to those who fear him. 2 Tim. 3:16-17, speaks of the sufficiency of scripture. "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work". Those who reject God are called "fools"(Ps.14:1) Romans 1:28,"Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done".
       We see that in our world today as what was considered unthinkable a generation ago has become the norm. At it will continue to get worse as they continue on the path away from God. It is also imperative now, more than ever, that we follow the example of the Bereans in Acts 17:11 and "search the scriptures daily" to see if what is being preached is true. Matt 24:24,"For false christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible." The key is in verse 25,"See, I have told you ahead of time." We have been warned and told to be vigilant. We have no excuse and we have the knowledge available that we need.  If we will but read our bibles, and take advantage of the Lord's provision of his word.

Vs. 13,"He will spend his days in prosperity and his descendants will inherit the land."

         Again we see blessings for obedience. It's important that we as believers see this verse from a New Covenant perspective. We aren't under the Old covenant which David was when he wrote this psalm. It would be easy to take this as a prosperity message without understanding that the principles of blessings apply to us as Christians, but differently. Heb 8:6,"But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, AND IS FOUNDED ON BETTER PROMISES."(caps mine) The life of a Christian may very well be one of difficulty and hardship (John 16:33) But in Romans 8:18 we are told, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." The promise of vs.13 is sure. But it's sure fulfillment is in Jesus' eternal kingdom. We must live as Abraham so that, as it was said of him, it may be said of us in Heb.11:10, "For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."

Vs. 14,"The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them."

      John 15:14-15,"You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my father I have made known to you." When Jesus was asked why he spoke in parables in Matt. 13:11, he said, ‘The knowledge of the secrets of heaven have been given to you, but not to them.’" Add to this John 14:26,"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (see also 1 Cor. 2:10)
        Genesis 18:16-33 has the narrative of Abraham talking to the Lord about the impending destruction of Sodom. In vs. 17-19, "Then the Lord said, 'Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham will surely become a great nation, and all nations of the earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him." Also add in Amos 3:7,”Surely the Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets."
      Throughout scripture we see considerable evidence that God makes known his will and purposes, but ONLY to those who belong to him. (caps mine)





Vs. 15, "My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare."

       Matthew 14:22-36, is the story of Jesus walking on water. Peter got the opportunity to walk on water too. He did well until he took his eyes off Jesus. That's where we get in trouble. We take our eyes off Jesus and look to something or someone else to save us.. David knew that his only trustworthy hope was in the Lord. Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” This ultimately brings us back to the first of the 10 commandments in Exodus 20:2-3,"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me." Often this commandment is quoted with only the imperative statement at the end. But it is vital for us to understand that it is God, and only God who saves. Just as he saved Israel from the slavery of Egypt, he alone saves us from our enslavement to sin. (Rom. 6:17-18)
       Amazingly it was only a short time after God gave the Ten Commandments that the Israelites set up the golden calf. In the same way, if we aren't vigilant, we can very quickly lose our focus and begin to look to other people or things for our hope. That is idolatry and violates the first commandment. Only God can save. He is our only hope.

Vs. 16-18,"Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied: free from my anguish. Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins."

     These three verses seem to convey one continuous thought. First notice how David describes himself. Lonely, afflicted, troubled and in anguish. Then notice what he asks of God: "Turn and be gracious", "Set me free", and our ultimate need, "Take away all my sins." Romans 4:28 describes the blessedness of having our sins forgiven, "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him." There truly is no greater thing than the reality and joy of knowing that we've been set free from the guilt, bondage and condemnation of our sin. That points to the heart of the gospel ( John 3:16-18)
     The passage in Romans is quoted from Psalm 32:1-2. In vs. 3-4 of Psalm 32 David describes the anguish he experienced before he confessed his sin and found forgiveness and restoration. When he threw himself on the mercy of his Lord and savior, he found the blessedness of vs. 1-2.
These verses in Psalm 25 highlight the gospel message. David asks God to be "gracious" (vs. 16), and "take away all of my sins" (vs. 18) 1,000 years before Jesus paid for our sins on the cross, David understood that our salvation comes only by God's grace. (see Eph. 2:5)

Vs. 19-20,"See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you".

       Matt 5:10,"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Jesus told his disciples in John 15:18-25 that being a true follower of his would cause you to have enemies. Vs. 20, "No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me they will persecute you." The answer to pescution is to take refuge in our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, and to completely trust him. Rev. 2:11b, "Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”  Stephen was the first martyr. He demonstrated this trust in his savior for us by praying as he was being stoned: Acts 7:59, "...Lord Jesus, receive my spirit". Jesus was his Lord and he had completely placed his hope and confidence in him. We must do the same, even if it is while we are giving up our lives for the sake of the gospel. Our place of refuge may ultimately be under the alter spoken of in Revelation 6:9-11, where those who had been slain for their faith are told to "rest a little longer".


Vs. 21, "May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you"

      Jesus is the way the TRUTH and the life". (John 14:6, caps mine) He is the ultimate manifestation of integrity and uprightness and his promises are certain. Phil 1:6,"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ." No matter what happens, keep your eyes focused on him and trust him. Rom. 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." This doesn't guarantee that the "breakthrough" or the happy ending is just around the corner. It does mean that we can be confident that God has a plan and that he will bring it about and that everything that happens is for a purpose.
       In addition, this verse implies the necessity for us to live lives that are charactorized by integrity and uprightness. Eph. 5:1,"Be imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children". And Jesus said in Matt. 5:48,"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." the second chapter of James gives a thorough explanation of how our faith is to be displayed by the way we live. As I recently heard someone say, "Salvation is received by faith, but it is verified by works." Integrity and uprightness come as a result of our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.  While we trust in God for our protection, our obedience leaves us in a position to be able to receive God's blessings among which are protection from our enemies.(Deut 18:7). So while everything depends on God, our living in obedience is the verification that we belong to him.

Vs.  22, "Redeem Israel, O God, from all their troubles".

       At first glance, this verse doesn't seem to belong. Up until this point, David has been talking about what God's redemptive work means in an individual's life. However, everything David has talked about is a reality for all of God's chosen people. Without getting into a major theological discussion about how we Christians should interpret "Israel", suffice it to say, Israel is God's special chosen people. Today, if you are a true follower of Jesus Christ, you are also part of God's special chosen people.
This psalm ends with a prayer of redemption for all of God's chosen people. Not for outsiders.
        One of the main priorities of the early church was caring for those inside the body (see Acts 6:1-7), making sure that the needs of the members was met. Gal. 6:10, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
       I have observed that often people, and entire congregations become so involved with outreach and evangelism that they neglect to care for their own; both in material needs and in discipleship." Eph 4.11-13 says, "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be teachers, to prepare God's people for acts of service, SO THAT THE BODY OF CHRIST MAY BE BUILT UP, (caps mine) until we all reach the unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." The primary job of the church is growing up the body.  Yes, we should be concerned about outreach and missions, but if we are not primarily focused on growing up in Christ Jesus, we won't have anything offer our dying world. When you fly in an airplane you receive some safety instructions. Among those are what to do in case the plane loses cabin pressure. When the oxygen masks drop down, you are to put the mask on yourself first, then help your children or others who need help. The reason is, you have some time before the lack of oxygen becomes dangerous. But very quickly you lose your ability to think clearly. In the same way, we need to make sure that the church body is being cared for and is healthy, before we go out and try to help others bring others in.
      It may seem that I have deviated from this verse but I believe that's what it's really about. Caring for the flock (see John 21:15-19).

      I hope yhat you have been blessed as I was by studying this psalm. I also hope and pray that you will be encouraged to journal through some of your personal bible studies as well. I’ll end this journal with the prayer for God's people, "May God do his redemptive work in the lives of his people. God bless you all.