The big picture
Psalms 25 opens in verse 1 with “Unto thee, O LORD , do I lift up my soul.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 11 with “For thy name’s sake, O LORD , pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.”, and closes in verse 22 with “Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, teach, ashamed, mercy, Remember. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 22Psalms 25:1-8
1–8: Unto thee, O LORD , do I lift up my soul.
Psalms 25:1–8 opens with “Unto thee, O LORD , do I lift up my soul.” and reaches “Good and upright is the LORD : therefore will he teach sinners in the way.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 25 develops its own movement around LORD, teach, ashamed, mercy, Remember, with particular weight carried by LORD, ashamed, Remember.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Unto thee, O LORD , do I lift up my soul.” Naming Unto keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.” Naming Yea keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Psalms 25:1-8
King James Version1Unto thee, O LORD , do I lift up my soul.
2O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4Shew me thy ways, O LORD ; teach me thy paths.
5Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
6Remember, O LORD , thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
7Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD .
8Good and upright is the LORD : therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
Psalms 25:9-16
9–16: The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
Psalms 25:9–16 opens with “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.” and reaches “Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 25 develops its own movement around LORD, teach, ashamed, mercy, Remember, with particular weight carried by LORD, covenant, meek.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.” The line’s distinctive content terms include meek, guide, judgment. Its relationship to verses 10 shows what work it does in this passage.
Psalms 25:9-16
King James Version9The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
10All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11For thy name’s sake, O LORD , pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
12What man is he that feareth the LORD ? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
15Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD ; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
16Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.
Psalms 25:17-22
17–22: The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my…
Psalms 25:17–22 opens with “The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.” and reaches “Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 25 develops its own movement around LORD, teach, ashamed, mercy, Remember, with particular weight carried by troubles, affliction, ashamed.
Context that brings the passage to life
“The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.” The line’s distinctive content terms include distresses, enlarged, heart. Its relationship to verses 18 shows what work it does in this passage.
Psalms 25:17-22
King James Version17The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
19Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
20O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
21Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
22Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 25:1 begins with “Unto thee, O LORD , do I lift up my soul.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 25:12 forms a natural hinge: “What man is he that feareth the LORD ? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.”
The final note
Psalms 25:22 leaves the reader with “Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, teach, ashamed, mercy, Remember, soul help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What fulfills the earlier promise concerning Ishmael?
The named twelve princes and the account of his descendants.
What family pattern increases the twins' conflict?
Isaac favors Esau and Rebekah favors Jacob.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.