This is a psalm of wisdom that is compiled together with statements of truth. In the Hebrew text, each verse of this psalm begins with a letter of the twenty-two-letter Hebrew alphabet. This Psalm is the first Psalm which is written this way, the others are Psalm 34 / Psalm 37 / Psalm 111 / Psalm 112 / Psalm 119 / Psalm 145.
Commentators give many different reasons for some psalms being written in Hebrew alphabetical order, but I personally think it was written this way to make the learning of the psalm easy and easy to memorise.
Although the headings aren’t inspired by God, they are important because they give us some understanding of the Psalm and they help us to see why it was written. The headings usually tell us four things.
1. Who wrote them, probably wrote them, or possibly wrote them.
2. Information about the historical background to the Psalm. Why it was written.
3. They tell us of the tune the Psalm was written to.
4. How it was used.
The heading here, simply tells us that this is of David.
Opposite to the person who trusts in idols and swears by false gods, Psalm 24:4, David puts his trust in God and therefore isn’t ashamed, Psalm 25:1 / Job 6:20 / Isaiah 30:5 / Jeremiah 8:9 / Jeremiah 14:3-4.
We must remember that the word, ‘shame’, Psalm 25:2, doesn’t always mean embarrassment, here, Psalm 25:1, it carries with it the idea of being let down or disappointed, Romans 5:5 / Isaiah 49:23. In other words, David didn’t want to be disappointed in having God protect him.
David had many enemies, all of whom wanted to kill him, hence why he asks God not to let them triumph over him, Psalm 25:2. He didn’t want his enemies to be embarrassed, he prays that his enemies would suffer shame, in the sense of being let down or disappointed.
Notice he wants God to show him His ways, teach him His paths and guide Him in His truth, Psalm 25:4-5 / Deuteronomy 32:4. This tells us how close his relationship with God was but still, he wants to get closer. He was really dependent upon God at all times, and he felt that dependence.
David experienced God’s grace and mercy many times in his life, and so, he prays that God would extend the same to those who reach out for His salvation, Psalm 25:6. He had received salvation from God so many times in the past, that it made him want to wait upon the Lord all the more.
Most young people make silly mistakes and make some bad decisions, as a result, when they sin, they have to live with the consequences and the guilt of those sins, here, David asks God not to remember the sins of his youth, and his rebellious ways, Psalm 25:7 / Jeremiah 31:34 / Romans 3:25.
David knows that it is only the Lord who can and will instruct the obedient who have lost their way, Psalm 25:8 / Matthew 18:3. When we submit in humility to God, James 4:7, then He will teach us His way, the right way, Psalm 25:9 / Psalm 139:24. Without total submission to the will of God, no one can expect to be led by God, Psalm 25:10 / Romans 12:1-2.
David seeks forgiveness for his great iniquity, Psalm 25:11, which is probably a reference to the adultery he committed with Bathsheba and the ordering of the killing of her husband Uriah, 2 Samuel 11:4-17. And note it was for the sake of the LORD’S name, Psalm 25:11, not for David’s name.
When a person ‘fears the Lord’, Psalm 25:12, that is, revere Him and submit to Him and His will, then God will teach that person His covenant way, Psalm 25:12 / Psalm 5:7. In return, they will have peace of mind, and their posterity through their children will continue throughout generations, Psalm 25:13.
In other words, they will enjoy the benefits which come from being in a covenant relationship with God both materialistically, Psalm 25:13, and spiritually, Exodus 20:12 / Matthew 5:5. God made a covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai, Exodus 19-24, He kept His part of the covenant and He expects Israel to keep their part of the covenant.
The Hebrew phrase for ‘the LORD confides’ Psalm 25:14, is ‘the secret of Yahweh,’ which may here be translated by ‘intimate circle’, Genesis 18:17 / Job 19:19 / Job 29:4 / Proverbs 3:32 / John 15:13-15 / 1 John 1:3.
It is to those who have that close relationship with God, that He makes his covenant known, Psalm 25:14 / 1 Corinthians 2:14. Those who are His friends are those who are faithful to Him, Genesis 17:9-10 / Exodus 19:5 / Deuteronomy 29:9 / Psalm 132:12.
David wanted to focus on nothing but God, Psalm 25:15 / Hebrews 12:1-2, and because he had submitted His life to God, he knew that it would be God who would guard him and free him from his enemies, Psalm 25:15 / Psalm 9:15-16 / Psalm 10:9.
Throughout his life, David had at many times when he felt lonely, afflicted, and distressed, Psalm 25:16 / 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, but when he did, he turned to God in prayer and asked for help, Psalm 25:16. It’s possible that he was still carrying some guilt over the sins he committed and so he asks God to take all the anguish caused by his sins away, Psalm 25:18.
David trusted God as his refuge, his place of safety and strength and because he was being threatened by his enemies, he calls upon God to guard his life and rescue him, Psalm 25:19-20.
David desires a perfect heart, and upright life, Psalm 25:21, but perhaps the integrity and uprightness referred to are those righteous attributes of God, which faith rests upon as a guarantee that the Lord will not forfeit His word, Psalm 25:21.
Despite all the loneliness, affliction and distresses David was going through, he prayed to God about it and still took the time to pray for others. He not only wants God to save him from his troubles, but he also prays that God will help Israel in their time of trouble, Psalm 25:22.
As this psalm was written in Hebrew alphabetical, probably because it made it easier to learn and easier to commit to memory, singing psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, Colossians 3:16 / Ephesians 5:19, are a really great way to remind ourselves of what the Scriptures teach and it’s certainly a great way to memorise the Scriptures.
There are parts of the psalm which are used in the song, ‘Unto Thee O Lord’, written by Charles F. Monroe.
David’s trust was fully in God and despite going through many difficulties, he walked closely with God as one would do with a friend, Amos 3:3. His desire was to get to know God even more and so, the more time he spends learning God’s ways, the closer he gets to his Saviour, 2 Peter 3:18.