DAWN

     Explanation: In Psalm 25 David asks to be instructed in the ways of the LORD and enabled to stay in them. In the first main idea of the Psalm, David acknowledges the prosperity and blessing which comes from obedience. This is symbolized in the first painting. In the second main idea of the Psalm, David contrasts this prosperity to the desolation and affliction which he is presently experiencing. This is symbolized in the second painting.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: ACROSTIC PSALMS. Psalm 9. Psalm 10. Psalm 25. Psalm 34. Psalm 37. Psalm 111. Psalm 112. Psalm 119. Psalm 145. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). Psalm 25 - #1. Psalm 25 - #2. Psalm 25 - #3. ]

     The Psalm is chiastic, meaning that, at a mid-point in the Psalm the main ideas in the first part begin to be repeated in reverse order in the second part. At the beginning of the Psalm David lifts up his soul, pleading with God to deliver him from being put to shame by his enemies. He extends his prayer to all of those who wait on God, asking that none who wait on God will be ashamed. He asks, instead, that those who transgress without cause will be ashamed (1-3). David then asks the LORD to guide him in his paths and teach him his truth (4-5). He asks the LORD to remember the mercy and kindness which he has given to David in the past, but to forget his sins and his transgressions (6-7). He expresses confidence that the LORD will teach sinners the right way and that he will guide them, because all of his paths are mercy and truth to those who keep his covenant (8-10). David again asks for pardon. At this point, as mentioned above, the main ideas in the Psalm begin to be repeated in reverse order (11). David then expresses confidence that the LORD will instruct those who fear him in the way that they should choose. They will have ease. They will inherit the earth (a blessing which points to the last days). The Lord's secret will be with them; and they will experience the blessings of his covenant. Therefore David will always look to the LORD to pluck his feet out of the net (12-15). He asks for God's mercy in the midst of his desolation, affliction, troubles of his heart, and distress. He asks for forgiveness of his sin. He asks to be delivered from his enemies who hate him with cruel hatred. He asks the LORD to keep his soul and deliver him that he might not be ashamed. He asks that his integrity will preserve him because he waits on God (16-21). He closes by asking for redemption for Israel from all of its troubles (22).

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.

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]