[2] O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
Ashamed — Disappointed of my hope.
Verse 3
[3] Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
Cause — Without any provocation of mine.
Verse 4
[4] Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
Teach — Teach me my duty, and cause me to keep close to it, notwithstanding all temptations.
Verse 8
[8] Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
Upright — Holy and true, in all his declarations and offers of mercy to sinners.
Therefore — He will not be wanting to such poor sinners as I am, but will guide them into the way of life and peace.
Verse 9
[9] The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
The meek — Such as meekly submit themselves to God, and are desirous to be directed and governed by him.
Judgment — In the paths of judgment, in the right way.
Verse 10
[10] All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
Paths — All the dealings of God with them, yea even those that are afflictive, are done in kindness and faithfulness to them.
Verse 11
[11] For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
For — Or, though (as this particle is often rendered) it be great. Possibly he speaks of his sin against Uriah and Bathsheba. Great - Or, much or manifold. For the Hebrew word signifies both great and much.
Verse 12
[12] What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
Chuse — Which God appointeth.
Verse 13
[13] His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
At ease — Heb. in Good; in the possession and enjoyment of the true good.
The land — Canaan; which was given as an earnest of the whole Covenant of Grace, and all its promises.
Verse 14
[14] The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
The secret — His love and favour, which is called his secret, Proverbs 3:32, because it is known to none but him that enjoyeth it.
Will shew — He will make them clearly to understand it, both its duties and its blessings; neither of which ungodly men rightly understand.
Verse 15
[15] Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Pluck — He will deliver me out of all my troubles.
Verse 20
[20] O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
Soul — My life.
Verse 22
[22] Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
Israel — If thou wilt not help me, yet spare thy people who suffer for my sake, and in my sufferings.
Psalm 25 Bible Commentary
John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
Verse 2
[2] O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
Ashamed — Disappointed of my hope.
Verse 3
[3] Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
Cause — Without any provocation of mine.
Verse 4
[4] Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
Teach — Teach me my duty, and cause me to keep close to it, notwithstanding all temptations.
Verse 8
[8] Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
Upright — Holy and true, in all his declarations and offers of mercy to sinners.
Therefore — He will not be wanting to such poor sinners as I am, but will guide them into the way of life and peace.
Verse 9
[9] The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
The meek — Such as meekly submit themselves to God, and are desirous to be directed and governed by him.
Judgment — In the paths of judgment, in the right way.
Verse 10
[10] All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
Paths — All the dealings of God with them, yea even those that are afflictive, are done in kindness and faithfulness to them.
Verse 11
[11] For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
For — Or, though (as this particle is often rendered) it be great. Possibly he speaks of his sin against Uriah and Bathsheba. Great - Or, much or manifold. For the Hebrew word signifies both great and much.
Verse 12
[12] What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
Chuse — Which God appointeth.
Verse 13
[13] His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
At ease — Heb. in Good; in the possession and enjoyment of the true good.
The land — Canaan; which was given as an earnest of the whole Covenant of Grace, and all its promises.
Verse 14
[14] The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
The secret — His love and favour, which is called his secret, Proverbs 3:32, because it is known to none but him that enjoyeth it.
Will shew — He will make them clearly to understand it, both its duties and its blessings; neither of which ungodly men rightly understand.
Verse 15
[15] Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Pluck — He will deliver me out of all my troubles.
Verse 20
[20] O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
Soul — My life.
Verse 22
[22] Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
Israel — If thou wilt not help me, yet spare thy people who suffer for my sake, and in my sufferings.