Ps. 25 THE ARGUMENT This Psalm seems to have been composed when David was under some straits and pressures, when his outward afflictions were accompanied with inward horrors of conscience for his sins, by which he had forfeited God’s favour, and procured these calamities to himself.

i.e. I direct my desires and prayers (which are expressed by this phrase, Ps. 24:4, Jer. 22:27, Lam. 3:41) with hope or expectation of a gracious answer, which also it implies, Deut. 24:15.

Ashamed, i.e. disappointed of my hope, which will be reproachful to me, not without reflection upon thee, of whose power and faithfulness I have made my boast.

Let none that wait on thee be ashamed, with me and for me; for if I be frustrated, all that trust in thee will be discouraged and upbraided with my example. Let them be ashamed; blast their wicked designs and hopes.

Thy ways, i.e. the way of thy precepts, which I ought to do in my circumstances and difficulties; by what methods I may obtain thy favour and help. Whatsoever thou dost with me as to other things, grant me this favour, teach me my duty, and cause me to keep close to it, notwithstanding all…

In thy truth, i.e. in the true and right way prescribed in thy word, which is oft called truth, as Ps. 119:30, John 8:45–46, John 16:13;c. Or, by or because of thy truth, i.e. because thou art faithful, do thou lead or guide me as thou hast promised to do. The God of my salvation, i.e.

O consider thy own merciful nature, and thy former manifold favours vouchsafed to me, and to other miserable sinners, and do like thyself. Thou hast been gracious to such as I am from the beginning of the world to this day, and to me in particular from my very infancy, as he oft acknowledgeth in…

Remember not, so as to lay to my charge, the sins committed in my young and tender years, Eccles. 11:9–10 which God frequently puntsbeth in riper age, Job 13:26, Jer. 3:25, and therefore he now prays that God would not deal so with him.

Good, i.e. bountiful and gracious to sinners, ready to do good, and delighting in it. Upright, or, right, i.e. holy and true, sincere in making promises, and in all his declarations and offers of mercy to sinners, and faithful in fulfilling them.

The meek, i.e. the humble and lowly, such as meekly submit themselves to God’s hand and word, and are willing and desirous to be directed and governed by him. In judgment, i.e.

All the dealings of God with them, yea, even those that are afflictive and grievous to the flesh, are done in kindness and faithfulness to them, as being very necessary for them, and tending to their great advantage. His covenant, i.e.

For thy name’s sake, i.e. for the honour of thy goodness and truth, which is concerned herein. For it is great; and therefore none but such a God can pardon it, and nothing but thy own name can move thee to do it; and the pardoning of it will well become so great and good a God, and will tend much…

What man is he, i.e. whosoever he be, whether Jew or Gentile, whether more innocent, or a greater sinner, which is my case. That he shall choose, i.e. which God appointeth or approveth. Or, which he, i.e.

Shall dwell, Heb. shall lodge, i.e. continue, as this word signifies, Job 17:2, Prov. 19:23. It notes the constancy and stability of his happiness, both whilst he lives, and when he is dead; which the next clause seems to suppose. At ease, Heb. in good, i.e.

The secret of the Lord; either, 1. His word and counsel, to direct and guide them in the right way, which he oft mentions here as a singular blessing, Ps. 25:8–9, Ps. 25:12, to show them their duty in all conditions, and the way to their eternal salvation.

i.e. My trust is in him, my expectation of relief is from him only, and he will deliver me out of all my temptations and tribulations.

Turn thee unto me; turn thy face and favour to me, O thou who now hast turned thy back upon me, and forsaken me. I am desolate; destitute of all other hopes and succours; persecuted by mine enemies, and forsaken by the most of my friends; as he was in Absalom’s rebellion.

The troubles of my heart; my outward troubles are accompanied with grievous torments of my mind and heart for my sins, which have procured them, and thy great displeasure manifested in them.

Look upon with compassion, as Ex. 3:7–8, Ps. 31:7, Ps. 106:44. My sins; the procuring and continuing causes of my trouble.

Consider, Heb. look upon, as Ps. 25:18, to wit, with a revengeful eye, as Ex. 14:24, 1 Chron. 12:17, Ps. 104:32. For this general expression of looking upon is taken several ways in Scripture, and is to be determined by the context. Cruel, Heb.

My soul, i.e. myself or my life, as that word is commonly taken; for his soul was out of his enemies’ reach, who could only kill his body, Luke 12:4.

Though I have greatly offended thee, yet remember that I have dealt honestly and sincerely with mine enemies, whilst they have dealt falsely and injuriously with me; and therefore judge between them and me, and deal with me according to the righteousness of my cause, and carriage towards them.

If thou wilt not pity and help me, yet spare thy people. who suffer for my sake, and in my sufferings.