Psalm 25:1-10 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 25:1-10 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
Verse 2O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.
Verse 3Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
Verse 4Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.
Verse 5Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.
Verse 6Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
Verse 7Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness' sake, O Lord!
Verse 8Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
Verse 9He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
Verse 10All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
Devotion
When I began what became a 10-year ministry as speaker-producer of the radio program "The Hour of Hope," broadcast by nine radio stations in Minnesota, South Dakota and Nebraska, I decided to open each program with a psalm. I prepared a brief introduction to each psalm, identifying its personal, worship and historical setting. This process soon led me to a more intentional reflection and study of the Psalms. I became richly blessed by the message and meaning of each psalm as the changes, chances and circumstances of my life were addressed.
Psalm 25 is a prayer to God—a statement about the living and loving God that can be given voice by everyone. While the last phrase of verse three may not be a very universal thought, the rest of verses 1-10 can certainly give voice to what is and can be true for us all.
Prayer
Living and Loving God, as we lift up our thoughts and voices to you, assure us that you hear us and that you truly do teach us. Lead us, show mercy, forget our sin and remember us. Amen.