Psalm 25

                Psalm 25 is another psalm that has inspired other artists to write.  One of my personal favorite groups, Third Day, used this Psalm as the inspiration for My Hope Is You found on their Conspiracy #5 album.  This psalm represents an idea that should be at the heart of our faith – our hope is in God.

                David’s prayer is one of wisdom and guidance and defense.  “Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me…show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths,” he writes. (Psalm 25:2, 4)  David is declaring his trust in God and also expressing his desire to be led by the Lord.  Of course, we have to take the step of trusting and following.  In verse 10 David writes, “All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.”  In other words, God loves us and is faithful to those who believe in Him. 

“The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.” (Psalm 25:14)  What a great line describing our relationship to God.  I don’t think David is suggesting we need to be afraid of God; he is saying that we need to humbly respect and revere God.  I love the use of the term “confides” in this verse.  “Confides” indicates a certain level of intimate sharing.  This is not stuff that this shared for the masses to hear on a street corner.  This is stuff between close friends.  When we confide in a friend, we are entrusting them with crucial details of our lives.  When God confides in us, He is entrusting us with crucial details of His plan.  He is showing us where to go and what to do.  I know I often find myself asking God for guidance and direction.  David presents us with a key to receiving God’s guidance and direction – put our hope in God and reverently fear Him. 

As we put our hope and trust in God, he will lead us where he wants us.  It may not be where we thought we were going.  It may not be where we wanted to go when we started on the journey, but it is where God is leading us.  Our job is to place our hope and trust in the Lord and go where He leads.