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psalm of david

Psalm 25 Devotional – May 1

MAY 1 – PSALM 25

GOD WILL PURIFY & PROTECT US

Today, we look at Psalm 25, which is a psalm of lament. In the middle of his sorrow, David petitions God to forgive him. David confidently turned to the Lord for divine instruction and forgiveness from his iniquity because of His mercies for Israel. This psalm is a meditation on the character of God that prompts the humble to respond with confession and prayer. Although the psalm contains elements of a lament psalm and a penitential psalm, the mixture of the two forms makes this psalm unique. The psalm is an acrostic, as each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Forgiveness forms a motif throughout the psalm (vv. 6–7, 11, 18). The adversities, which the psalmist details in vv. 15–21, are also of a general nature and so function as a community lament. The emphasis lies on the personal effect of adversity in the areas of self-examination, guidance, and submission to the Lord. In his experience, the psalmist demonstrates a remarkable desire to conform to God’s will. The repetition of the prayer for forgiveness (vv. 4–7, 11) is answered in the assurance of guidance. Thus, humility and growth in godliness are two positive effects of divine correction. The psalm begins and ends on a note of trust in the Lord (vv. 1–3, 21) and a prayer that the Lord will not let him down

The structure of the psalm is: (1) an introductory appeal that David will not be ashamed before his enemies (vv. 1-3); (2) a call for God to forgive David (vv. 4-7); (3) a focus on the character of God (vv. 8-10); (4) a renewed call for God to forgive David (vv. 11-18); (5) a concluding appeal that David will not be shamed before his enemies (vv. 19-21); and (6) a concluding prayer for Israel (v. 22). This can really be broken down even simpler into two sections as verses 1-7 are a prayer for guidance and forgiveness and verse 8-22 are a reiteration of the prayer.

1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust;
    let me not be put to shame;
    let not my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;
    they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know 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;
    for you I wait all the day long.
6 Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,
    for they have been from of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
    according to your steadfast love remember me,
    for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!
8 Good and upright is the Lord;
    therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,
    and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
    for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For your name's sake, O Lord,
    pardon my guilt, for it is great.
12 Who is the man who fears the Lord?
    Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
13 His soul shall abide in well-being,
    and his offspring shall inherit the land.
14 The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,
    and he makes known to them his covenant.
15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
    for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
    for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
    bring me out of my distresses.
18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,
    and forgive all my sins.
19 Consider how many are my foes,
    and with what violent hatred they hate me.
20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!
    Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
    for I wait for you.
22 Redeem Israel, O God,
    out of all his troubles.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Reflect on the perfections of God (good and upright, v. 8)
  • In humility, ask God to lead and direct your path. Trust that He will
  • Prayer does not have to be stoic and static. It can be vibrant, dynamic, and emotional. It is a time of confession, forgiveness, adoration for God, thanksgiving, and asking.

CLOSER LOOK:

Read More »Psalm 25 Devotional – May 1

April 23 Quarantine Devotional – Psalm 19

APRIL 23 – PSALM 19

GOD’S LAW IS PERFECT

Today, we continue our series by focusing on God. Psalm 19 is a classic psalm about the beauty, majesty, glory, and perfection of the Lord. There is so much information about God in this psalm. The psalmist gives us a great model of how we can praise God and remember who He is and what He has done. It shows us that the Bible and Christianity is not just a series of rules or laws, but is a life-giving, fruit-bearing, and restoring life. A relationship with God is vital and restores us and refreshes us. It helps us in our daily lives as well as endure this long marathon, especially during prolonged trials and tribulations.

We have looked at Psalm 19 before in discussing Hebrew parallelism, but this time we will focus on meditating on God.

1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
2 Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
4 Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their utterances to the end of the world.
In them He has placed a tent for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
6 Its rising is from one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.
13 Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;
Let them not rule over me;
Then I will be blameless,
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

Key Takeaways:

  • All of creation including the heavens reveals God’s glory and majesty
  • The Law was not a burden to believers who were trying to please God with their lives. For David, keeping God’s statutes, which warned him of the dangers of folly and sin, brought reward.
  • God is our Redeemer who purchased our freedom from any bondage or slavery to sin
Read More »April 23 Quarantine Devotional – Psalm 19