Psalms 25:1-22 (KJV)

1 A Psalm of David. Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.

2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

6 Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.

7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.

8 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.

9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

11 For thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

12 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.

13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.

14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.

18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.

20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.

21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.

22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

In the next series of devotions we will be looking at Psalm 25.

When we read the first verse David says that he is lifting up his soul to the LORD.

What does this mean and how do we do this?

The soul can also be defined as ur mind. It is about fixing our mind on the things above “Colossians 3:1-4 (KJV) If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. [2] Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. [3] For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

We do this by:

• Prayer,
• Waiting on GOD as we can see in verse 3 of this Psalm. Waiting is prayer and being patient for GOD to act instead of trying to do it ourself. We think about who He is as in verse 6 remembering His mercy. There are times when we wait and get impatient and cry our “how long” as we can see in Psalms 13:1-2 (KJV) “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? [2] How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?”,
• Trusting GOD as we read in verse 2. When we trust the LORD we are not swayed by what we see “Romans 8:25 (KJV) But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” – “Proverbs 3:5-7 (KJV) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. [7] Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.”, When we trust we rely on GOD and that He is good as we can see in verse 6. Making choices to obey the LORD is part of trusting looking to Him,
• Seeking Him to show us His ways and asking for Him to teach them (see verse 4). By doing this we prioritise the LORD in our life and surrender to Him,
• Praising the LORD, by telling Him how good He is as in verses 6 and 8 to 10,
• Humbling and fearing Him (verses 7, 12, 14).

Therefore let us be encouraged to lift up our soul to the LORD GOD Almighty every day.