Psalms

Psalms 25: The LORD teaches sinners His way

Begin in prayer

Before we ask God to teach our feet His paths, let us bring Him the guilt we cannot remove. Pray that His goodness would lead us to repentance and trust in Jesus.

Let us acknowledge Yahweh. Let us press on to know Yahweh. As surely as the sun rises, Yahweh will appear. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain that waters the earth.”

Hosea 6:3

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the good LORD teaches sinners His way and hears the plea for mercy. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David lifts his soul to the LORD, trusting Him to keep him from shame and the triumph of his enemies. He asks to be taught God's ways and remembered according to mercy rather than the sins of his youth. The good and upright LORD guides humble sinners and shows His covenant to those who fear Him. David confesses that his iniquity is great and asks pardon for the sake of God's name. Lonely and afflicted among many cruel enemies, he seeks forgiveness, protection and uprightness while he waits. His final plea gathers Israel into the prayer, asking God to redeem His people from all their troubles.

As you read Psalms 25, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The good and upright LORD teaches sinners His way and gives mercy to those who fear Him.

Asking God to remember mercy means appealing to His long standing loving kindness rather than offering a record of merit. The sins of youth are confessed as rebellion that needs forgiveness, even after those years have passed. God's goodness and uprightness explain why He teaches sinners, guiding the humble in justice. His paths of loving kindness and truth belong to those who keep His covenant and testimonies. Friendship with the LORD describes the close counsel He gives to those who fear Him and learn His covenant. The man who fears Him will dwell at ease, and his offspring will inherit the land. David's plea for pardon names the greatness of his guilt and makes God's own name the reason for mercy. Waiting for such a God can include loneliness, trapped feet and many enemies, so the prayer asks for integrity alongside deliverance. The final request for Israel's redemption carries personal need outward into concern for all God's people.

How does Psalm 25 show us that the good and upright LORD teaches sinners His way and gives mercy to those who fear Him?

The good LORD teaches humble sinners His way.

David asks to be shown, taught and guided because the LORD is the God of his salvation. Humble people know that they need this instruction. God's goodness brings sinners into a way marked by justice, loving kindness and truth.

The LORD gives pardon for His name's sake.

David asks God to remember mercy rather than his youthful rebellion. He confesses that his iniquity is great, giving no excuse for it. His plea rests on the goodness of the Lord whose name he calls upon.

The LORD is the refuge of those who wait for Him.

Those who deal treacherously without cause will be shamed, while none who wait for the LORD will be shamed. David waits for that faithful care while he is desolate, afflicted and surrounded by cruel enemies. He asks integrity and uprightness to preserve him. His final plea seeks redemption from trouble for Israel as well as help for himself.

Memorise

Good and upright is Yahweh, therefore he will instruct sinners in the way.

Psalm 25:8

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what sinful path am I defending instead of asking Jesus to teach me?

David asks, “pardon my iniquity, for it is great.” The same man asks to be taught God's paths. Great guilt has brought him to the Lord whose goodness leads sinners into His way.

Jesus walked in perfect obedience and died in His people's place at the cross. He bore the punishment their rebellion deserved, then rose with death defeated. His saving work is complete, with everything needed for guilty people to receive pardon and peace with God.

Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. He forgives those who come to Him for the mercy they cannot earn. Bring Him the old sins you still remember and the crooked paths you now defend. Ask the good and upright Lord to teach you, and follow the way His Word makes known.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the good LORD teaches sinners His way and hears the plea for mercy. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His goodness in teaching sinners and giving pardon. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.

John 14:26

Good and upright Lord, we need Your teaching and Your pardon. Please forgive the sins of our past and the rebellion we are defending today. Bring us to trust Jesus and follow His ways. Help those who are lonely and afflicted, and teach our family to wait on Your mercy with integrity this week. Amen.