Psalm 25:1-10 (NRSV) Trust
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
do not let me be put to shame;
do not let my enemies exult over me.
Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all day long.
Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!
Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right
and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
Devotion
In Psalm 25 the petitioner begins by expressing trust in the Lord and then asking for help against enemies and those who are treacherous. Jesus certainly exhibited trust in the heavenly father through the period before his death on the cross. What a solid example he gave for us to follow when we are faced with adversity.
The Petitioner also asks to be taught in the paths and the truths of the Lord. We need solid direction throughout our lives, especially when everything is falling apart around us. A second voice in this piece gives assurance that the Lord instructs sinners in his way and teaches the humble through love and faithfulness.
The conversation continues between the petitioner and the second voice about prosperity, troubles, and distress. I can only imagine the reliance on the Lord Jesus must have had through his difficult journey. As the petitioner continues, it seems that he is ruminating on feelings of guilt and fear of foes. Through it all though, there is trust in the Lord. Perhaps trust is the greatest lesson here.
Prayer
Lord we thank you for the example of Jesus Christ during times of joy and periods of great distress. Teach us the way to praise and to do what is right even when it is difficult. Thank you for the Lenten season each year when we remember the swing of emotions from praise and joy of Jesus’ journey, ending in the great tragedy of Jesus’ death, that is soon transformed by the resurrection to joy and hope for all.
Praise the Lord!
Vivian Attermeyer