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Illustration for Psalm 25: A Prayer for Guidance

Psalm 25

A Prayer for Guidance

When AfraidComfortWisdom

David lifts his heart up to God and asks to be shown the right path. He knows that God is loving and patient and will teach and guide those who come to Him. This is a great prayer when you need direction in your life.

  1. 1To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
  2. 2In You I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies triumph over me.
  3. 3No one whose hope is in You will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without excuse.
  4. 4Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths.
  5. 5Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.
  6. 6Remember, O LORD, Your compassion and loving devotion, for they have existed from antiquity.
  7. 7Do not remember the sins of my youth and my transgressions; in accordance with Your loving devotion remember me, for the sake of Your goodness, O LORD.
  8. 8Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in His ways.
  9. 9He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.
  10. 10All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of His covenant.
  11. 11For the sake of Your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, for it is great.
  12. 12Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the chosen way.
  13. 13His soul will dwell in prosperity, and his offspring will inherit the earth.
  14. 14The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, and He reveals His covenant to them.
  15. 15My eyes are ever on the LORD, for He will free my feet from the snare.
  16. 16Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
  17. 17The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distress.
  18. 18Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.
  19. 19Consider my enemies, for they are many and hate me with cruel hatred.
  20. 20Guard my soul and deliver me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in You.
  21. 21May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You.
  22. 22Redeem Israel, O God, from all their troubles!

What it means

When we don't know which way to go, we can ask God to teach us. He guides people who are humble enough to listen — and He forgives even the wrong things we did a long time ago, because He is good.

A little prayer

Lord, show me Your ways and teach me Your paths. I'm trusting You — please guide me, and forgive the wrong things I've done. Amen.

Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)