Psalm 25 Continued…
Psalms 25:6 Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.
The psalmist speaks not only of the mercy of God but also of His loving-kindness. David could say this during a time of trouble. And this speaks to our hearts today. What was good for the saints of the past and will be good for the saints of the future is also good for us.
David was not the first to experience the Lord’s “loving-kindness,” for he says, “they from of old”—that is, “remember your covenant love that has been there from the beginning.”
Psalms 25:7 Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord.
David, burdened by the sins of his youth, lifts up his soul to the Lord in earnest petitions. His distress of spirit is deepened by the scornful laugh of deceitful enemies, and he prays for vindication before them. There is a great depth of soul in this man. He pleads that God will deal with his life, not on the basis of what he deserves, but out of His loving-kindness and loyalty to him, and out of His mercy, which he has already richly experienced. How gracious of Him that he doesn’t treat us like we deserve, but instead shows us loving-kindness. David’s eyes look up to the Lord as he acknowledges the Lord as the great Teacher, Leader, and Savior of his life. His mood of trust and expectancy is felt in the opening words: “To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.”
David knew better than most that sin in one’s life makes it impossible for God to lead and direct, so he asked God not only to remember his tender mercies and loving kindnesses, but now he asks him to forget something. He says, “Remember not the sins of my youth”—forget them. God knows how virtually all young people want to “try everything once.” How else could they discover what they should not do, they argue? I don’t know about you, but as a teen and young adult I was rebellious and sinful. But I have confessed those sins to Him, and I am confident that they are not only forgiven, but forgotten. Then he prays to God for goodness and mercy. God is rich in both of these. He has enough for you today, and there will be some left over for me. I don’t know about you, but I am going to need a whole lot of mercy; and I would like to have a lot of goodness, too. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life . . .” (Psalm 23).
Verses 8 and 9 are not part of David’s prayer, but a meditation on the great subject of guidance. David was an authority. In his early days he knew how to follow God’s leading in his life. All down those fugitive years, David had learned just how and when God guides. There are few people better fitted to instruct us in this subject than David.
Psalms 25:8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
God’s goodness is no mere abstract quality; it is no barrier, but an encouragement to repentant sinners (Matthew 9:13; Luke 15:1). Not only the meek, but sinners as well can claim His teaching. God’s goodness means His being good for me. “. . . The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him. . . ” (Ezra 8:22). God’s goodness, His love, and His righteousness are revealed in His provision for salvation for you and me.
Knowledge begins with a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. David is occupied here with God’s goodness. Paul tells us that “the goodness of God leads to repentance.” So a person must be saved if he is going to be guided by God. Therefore the first thing God reveals is the need for salvation.
Psalms 25:9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
If we have our minds made up there is no point in asking God to guide us. We will rebel when God’s will is made known. “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.” If we are to be guided we must be submissive, or as David puts it, we must be humble.
So David sets forth the priorities of guidance: a person must be saved by the Lord and submissive to the Word of God if he is to know anything at all of God’s leading. God refuses to play games with us in this area, and He is much too wise ever to be conned.
Psalms 25:10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.
Here the mood changes from one of distress to that of exultation, as David praises God as the righteous Lord of all those who are faithful to His covenant. By the faithful, he means His loyal congregation of the good and upright in character—those who “keep his covenant and his testimonies”—who are also in the estimation of the world, humble and needy.
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth for all those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. Unless one is committed to keeping God’s commandments there is little point in asking for guidance. When we think of finding out God’s will we tend to think primarily in terms of a career or of some complication which has arisen; God thinks primarily in terms of character. He has given us many specifics along this line. If we get our characters in line with God’s Word then our questions regarding careers and our complications will soon be resolved.
PRAY
Father God thank you for your guidance offered over our lives. Help us to live our lives seeking out your will as we remain obedient, humble and teachable.