The King’s Prayer
TRANSLATION
(H) (A psalm) of David. (1) To you, Yahweh, I lift up my soul. (2) My God in you I trust. Let me not be ashamed. Let not my enemies exult over me. (3) Indeed, none who wait on you will be ashamed. Those will be ashamed who deal treacherously without excuse. (4) Cause me to know your ways, Yahweh. Teach me your paths. (5) Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation. For you I eagerly wait all day long. (6) Remember, Yahweh, your compassion and your steadfast love, for they (have been) from eternity past. (7) Remember not the sins of my youth nor my transgressions. According to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, Yahweh.
OBSERVATIONS
Psalm 25 is the first of seven acrostic psalms found in the Psalter. The other acrostics include Psalms 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, & 145. Each of these psalms follow the same pattern in which the initial letters of each verse or, in the case of Psalm 119, each eight-verse stanza, begin with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Why were the acrostic psalms fashioned this way? Several reasons come to mind. First, the acrostic form may well have been an artistic device used to add a certain beauty to the psalm just as rhyme does in much of western poetry. Additionally, using the acrostic pattern may indicate that the subject is being covered completely, from A to Z, as we might say. This is a particularly attractive possibility in regard to Psalm 119, which exhaustively explores the nature and value of the written Word of God. Also, the acrostic form may have been a mnemonic device designed to assist in the memorization these psalms.
Several striking word repetitions help us determine the thrust of this opening segment of the psalm. First, we find three uses of the Hebrew word that means “be ashamed” (vss. 2 & 3). David earnestly asked Yahweh not to let him be ashamed by suffering defeat at the hands of his enemies (vs. 2). Then he broadened his focus to contrast those who, because they wait on the Lord, will not be ashamed with the treacherous who will, in fact, suffer shame (vs. 3).
In the next two verses, we encounter four expressions using three different terms for guidance as David sought God’s direction: “cause me to know” and “teach me” (vs. 4), “lead me” and again “teach me” (vs. 5). The segment closed with more repetitions. “Remember” is found three times while “steadfast love” occurred twice (vss. 6 & 7). David’s concern zeroed in on receiving God’s guidance to rule wisely and on remaining close to the one whose steadfast love had sustained him throughout his life.
Both “Yahweh” and “God” occurred twice together (first in vss. 1 & 2 and again in vss. 4 & 5). Later we find Yahweh’s name invoked twice more (vss. 6 & 7). This psalm may well have been written by the king to demonstrate to his fellow Israelites how he prayed while serving as their monarch, seeking Yahweh’s protection, wisdom, and blessing.
OUTLINE
David prayed to Yahweh…
– for constant protection from his enemies. (1-3)
– for wise direction in his leadership. (4 & 5)
– for an unbroken communion with his loving God. (6 & 7)
IDEA STATEMENT
Spiritual leaders need to maintain a close relationship with God, seeking his protection from evil as well as his direction.
APPLICATION
For a number of months, Jesus’ disciples had observed him ministering, listening to him teach and witnessing his dependence on the Father in prayer. Finally, they asked him, “Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples” (Lk. 11:1). Every believer needs to learn how to put the discipline of prayer into practice in order to grow spiritually. Gratified by their request, Jesus answered by giving them what has become known as the “Lord’s Prayer” (Lk. 11:2-4). He intended that this model serve as a template for them and for us as we learn how to draw near to the Father in intimate fellowship.
David likewise showed us how we should pray in many of the psalms which he authored. Psalm 25 serves as an excellent example for us as we enter into God’s presence. Whether we memorize and repeat these words verbatim or voice the same concerns in our own words matters not so much as the fact that we actually engage in meaningful communion with God. Scripture indicates that there are few things we can do that please our heavenly Father more than our seeking to deepen our relationship with him. Whenever we struggle to maintain a regular time of prayer with Yahweh, voicing psalms such as this one can help us establish strong and effective habit patterns of frequent interaction with our loving God.