‏ Psalms 25

* Confidence in prayer. (1-7) Prayer for remission of sins.

(8-14) For help in affliction. (15-22)1-7 In worshipping God, we must lift up our souls to him. It is

certain that none who, by a believing attendance, wait on God,

and, by a believing hope, wait for him, shall be ashamed of it.

The most advanced believer both needs and desires to be taught

of God. If we sincerely desire to know our duty, with resolution

to do it, we may be sure that God will direct us in it. The

psalmist is earnest for the pardon of his sins. When God pardons

sin, he is said to remember it no more, which denotes full

remission. It is God's goodness, and not ours, his mercy, and

not our merit, that must be our plea for the pardon of sin, and

all the good we need. This plea we must rely upon, feeling our

own unworthiness, and satisfied of the riches of God's mercy and

grace. How boundless is that mercy which covers for ever the

sins and follies of a youth spent without God and without hope!

Blessed be the Lord, the blood of the great Sacrifice can wash

away every stain. 8-14 We are all sinners; and Christ came into the world to save

sinners, to teach sinners, to call sinners to repentance. We

value a promise by the character of him that makes it; we

therefore depend upon God's promises. All the paths of the Lord,

that is, all his promises and all his providences, are mercy and

truth. In all God's dealings his people may see his mercy

displayed, and his word fulfilled, whatever afflictions they are

now exercised with. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and

truth; and so it will appear when they come to their journey's

end. Those that are humble, that distrust themselves, and desire

to be taught and to follow Divine guidance, these he will guide

in judgment, that is, by the rule of the written word, to find

rest for their souls in the Saviour. Even when the body is sick,

and in pain, the soul may be at ease in God. 15-22 The psalmist concludes, as he began, with expressing

dependence upon God, and desire toward him. It is good thus to

hope, and quietly to wait for the salvation of the Lord. And if

God turns to us, no matter who turns from us. He pleads his own

integrity. Though guilty before God, yet, as to his enemies, he

had the testimony of conscience that he had done them no wrong.

God would, at length, give Israel rest from all their enemies

round about. In heaven, God's Israel will be perfectly redeemed

from all troubles. Blessed Saviour, thou hast graciously taught

us that without thee we can do nothing. Do thou teach us how to

pray, how to appear before thee in the way which thou shalt

choose, and how to lift up our whole hearts and desires after

thee, for thou art the Lord our righteousness