MEDITATIONS IN THE PSALMS [An outline of the Psalm, A good devotional study when using the scriptures indicated] Psalm 25:1-7, The Praying Man
Psalm 25 is written in acrostic style using the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order. There seems to be no thought division. It is written during Absalom’s rebellion, and David is entirely in prayer and meditation, as he lifts up his soul to his Lord. V’s1-7 we hear his prayer asking for guidance and forgiveness; V’s8-10 we enter into his meditation, which displays his confidence; v11 he prays again; 12-15 meditation again; and v’s16-22 he prays again, asking for deliverance. Oh my soul what a prayer, how often have I said to you dear Church, “pray the psalms”, and how fitting this one is to my poor sinful soul. In v1 we have holy aspiration, “Unto Thee O Lord do I lift up my soul” (notice it is his soul he lifts up, not his voice). His aim, his hope and his expectation is Jehovah alone. “Lift up” in the Hebrew is not temporary, but perpetual and permanent. Prayer is not prayer if the heart is not set on Him. In v2 we have faith appropriated; “Let me not be ashamed” is “Yea, let not my faith in You be disappointed.” Do you think there is any possibility of that? (Eph.3:20: Josh.21:45; 23:14). Not at all! Look at Rom.1:16. In v3 there is universal concern, “Let none that wait on Thee be ashamed.” The man of prayer does not pray selfishly, he is concerned for the whole body of Christ (Matt.6:9: Eph3:14-19; 6:18: James 5:13-18). Church pray for one another. V4 shows us that the man of prayer is a man void of self-confidence. He doesn’t want to “do it his way”. Here is the true characteristic of the child of God, namely humility. What is spiritual humility? Dependence on God (Pro. 3:5-8). V5, his mind is set on the greatest stock in time and eternity, “TRUTH”! While the world and its princes with Pilate scoff at the idea of truth, sputtering forth “What is truth?” the godly man longs for and seeks after truth. Truth is that that leads to God and heaven John 14:6; John 8:32. Truth is the sanctifying force of God in His people, John 17:17. V6, we see a man marked with a sense of weakness and inability; in need always of mercies, yea tender mercies. Not pretending to any merit of his own, “Remember, O Lord! Thy tender mercies …” “You’ve always been a merciful God; it is Your name, it is Your nature and property to show mercy.” “Your counsels and designs of mercy were from everlasting; the vessels of mercy were before all worlds, ordained to glory.” “The instances of Thy mercy to the Church in general, and to me in particular, were early and ancient, and constant from beginning till now, they began of old, and never ceased.” V7 in a special manner he is earnest for the pardon of his sins, “O remember not the sins of my youth.” Lord remember Thy mercies which speak for me, and not my sins, which speak against me.” The marks of a true saint, his sorrows remind him of his sins and his sorrow drives him to his God, how befitting to me. ~~Terry Worthan, 1938-2022
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