************************

A Prayer for Guidance
and Protection

Psalm 25.1-9

Good News Translation (GNT)

"HEBREW TITLE:

  A psalm by David."

  1  To you, O Lord, I offer my prayer;
  2   in you, my God, I trust. Save me from the
   shame of defeat; don't let my enemies gloat
   over me!
  3  Defeat does not come to those who trust in
   you, but to those who are quick to rebel
   against you.
  4  Teach me your ways, O Lord; make them
   known to me.
  5  Teach me to live according to your truth, for
   you are my God, Defeat does not come to
   those who trust in you, who saves me.
   I always trust in you.
  6  Remember, O Lord, your kindness and
   constant love which you have shown from
   long ago.
  7  Forgive the sins and errors of my youth. In
   your constant love and goodness, remember
   me, Lord!
  8  Because the Lord is righteous and good,
   he teaches sinners the path they should
   follow.
  9  He leads the humble in the right way
   and teaches them his will.

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 Commentary taken from from the
'word-on-the-web' supplied by the
 Scripture Union'

'A Prayer for Guidance and Protection'

We are uncomfortable expressing our darker emotions to God in prayer, preferring to present a more palatable picture or to speak more generally of our failure and sin.

Not so with David. But in equal measure, David articulates faith in a most vigorous way.

When he asks God to show him his ways and to remember him he is not merely expressing correct doctrine but speaking as a man who needs God to act.

For David, refuge was much more than a physical place. Right from the beginning of this psalm we know who he runs to in the bad times.

He has been through so much in his life, both good and bad. And yet here he is making a very positive statement about the consistency of God's presence in his life.

'My God' supposes an intimate relationship. The basis of his approach is faith. He is unafraid to ask God to teach him his ways and paths.

He waits on God all day. He remembers his work in history, his love and mercy, and on this he trusts.

He knows God and his infinite capabilities. God (the Lord, Elohim) is the psalm's central focus.

Not only 'my God', he is a guide, directing ways and paths. He is 'God my saviour'. He is mercy, goodness and uprightness.

He remembers us. He is the instructor of sinners and the humble. He is supremely capable, able to answer petitions.

The psalmist prays for a range of things: notably, victory over enemies, a serious issue in contexts racked with war.

He seeks God's instruction; that God in his love would remember him; that he would forgive his sin.

What matters, as this psalm shows, is coming into God's presence just as we are, encouraging ourselves with affirmation of who God is, and being honest.

Other versions are available here

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