"Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD. Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles." (Psalms 25:1-22)

            Psalm 25 is a prayer of David. He demonstrates mature and strong faith in view of external problems caused by his enemies and internal problems caused by his personal sins. David was remorseful over sins. He depended upon God, sought His guidance and totally relied upon Him. In the original each verse of this psalm begins with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This psalm is easy to remember. It has even been made into a devotional song that is used by our youth. In it David said, "Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul." (Psalms 25:1) The soul is that part of man that has a relationship with God. It is the soul of man that will either be in heaven or hell in eternity. Those who trust in God will enjoy his blessing. Those who do not obey Him will be "put to shame." David's desire was that God no longer remember the sins of his youth. He said, "For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great." (Psalms 25:11)

            Lifting his voice to God -- Psalm 25:1-3: We must address our prayers to God. David said, "Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul." (Psalms 25:1) Prayer is a fervent statement or request from the heart offered to God. Prayers must be prayed in faith. David said, "O my God, I trust in thee." David's first requests were (1) That he not be ashamed, and (2) That his enemies not triumph over him. David prayed, "Let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause."  (Psalm 25:3) David knew that God would not disappoint the faithful worshipper. He also knew that deceitful sinners would face disappointment.

            A prayer to know God's will -- Psalm 25:4-7: David asked God to show him His paths and teach him to follow the commandments of the Lord. David was mature in the faith but he still needed to be taught God's will and how to obey Him. Regardless of how long we have been in the faith we must be striving to know the will of God better. The knowledge of God's word and His will for our life helps us to serve Him and also to be able to bear our burdens and struggles. David's request was both for instruction and guidance. He said, "Lead me in thy truth." We all need God's truth and guidance for our daily living. David thought about and wrote often about God's mercy and His unfailing love for man. He pleaded with God to remember His "great mercy and love. The stupidity of youth guarantees that none of us will live our life sinless! David asked God to forget those wrongs of his youth and to be kind and merciful to him.

            God is good all the time -- Psalm 25:8-11: David is now brought to think about the goodness of God. He said our God is good and upright. He teaches sinners how to follow His path. If God reached out to sinners so should we! God’s grace is for everyone, not just for those who we think to be worthy. Those who are humble people, teachable people will do what is right and to stay on God's path. God is kind and faithful to everyone who keeps His covenant and His testimonies. The greatness of sin is no barrier to forgiveness. In the name of God David asked that his sins be forgiven even though those sins were horrible.

            What man fears the Lord? -- Psalm 25:12-14: The man who fears the Lord is the person who can be shown the right path to worship and to serve God. Those who are saved are the ones who humbly fear the Lord. The person who fears God and severs Him will be blessed. Solomon wrote, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." (Proverbs 9:1) Those who fear God will have plenty. Their children would also receive that land and be blessed therein. Let us humble ourselves before the mighty God of heaven. "Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible (awesome)." (Deuteronomy 7:21)

            An urgent petition to God -- Psalm 25:15-22: David always looked to God for help with all his struggles. In the midst of his loneliness and troubles David asked God for His care and mercy. David was troubled in heart and he desired God to rescue him. In the midst of David's pain he was reminded of his sins. He asked God for help. David asked God to protect him from his enemies and keep him safe. David committed himself to (1) Trusting in God, and (2) Waiting on God. David promised that his life would be lived with "integrity and uprightness." Even though David had problems he prayed for others. “Our God, please save Israel from all of its troubles."

            We must put our trust in God and be righteous by means of salvation through the blood of Jesus. Please accept God's wonderful good news that Jesus died for your sins. Will you be baptized into Christ to put on Christ so that your sins can be forgiven by His blood? "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27) Believers contact Christ's saving blood by being baptized into His death. Those that become children of God are then in a position to lift up the excellent name of the Almighty and depend upon Him.