A Prayer for Guidance, Pardon and Protection

251 Unto thee, Jehovah, do I lift up my soul. 2 My God, I confide in thee; let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. 3 Yea, none that wait on thee shall be ashamed: they shall be ashamed that deal treacherously without cause. 4 Make me to know thy ways, O Jehovah; teach me thy paths. 5 Make me to walk in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 6 Remember, Jehovah, thy tender mercies and thy loving-kindnesses; for they are from everlasting. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to thy loving-kindness remember thou me, for thy goodness' sake, Jehovah.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 25:1-7

Commentary on Psalm 25:1-7

(Read Psalm 25:1-7)

In worshipping God, we must lift up our souls to him. It is certain that none who, by a believing attendance, wait on God, and, by a believing hope, wait for him, shall be ashamed of it. The most advanced believer both needs and desires to be taught of God. If we sincerely desire to know our duty, with resolution to do it, we may be sure that God will direct us in it. The psalmist is earnest for the pardon of his sins. When God pardons sin, he is said to remember it no more, which denotes full remission. It is God's goodness, and not ours, his mercy, and not our merit, that must be our plea for the pardon of sin, and all the good we need. This plea we must rely upon, feeling our own unworthiness, and satisfied of the riches of God's mercy and grace. How boundless is that mercy which covers for ever the sins and follies of a youth spent without God and without hope! Blessed be the Lord, the blood of the great Sacrifice can wash away every stain.