If you ever find yourself running out of options to whom to plea your case and ask for help for your needs, you should pick Psalm 25 to pray. This psalm is the first of those called acrostic Psalms. This means that each line of the Psalm begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet in their common order.
We do not know the specific circumstances in which David wrote this psalm, but knowing David and all his challenges and struggles, it is not difficult for us to imagine that it was during a very distressful time. David was not only facing external enemies, he was struggling inside too. In one verse he mentions, “The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish, v17.”
What makes this psalm special for us is that David knows that he does not deserve anything from the Lord, but nonetheless he pleas with the Lord anyway. This gives us hope in situations like these; situations when we do not have anyone who knows that we are not perfect but despite this can help us. Yes, it is during such times that we can raise our voices to the Lord and cry for mercy.
This psalm points us in the right path straight to God and His grace. David starts his prayer bringing his soul before the Lord and making a confession that he trusts in the Lord no matter what, “To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Psa. 25:1-2.”
The next thing that he asks God is for Him to hide his iniquity, “Do not let me be put to shame, v.2.” One of our most terrible fears is that the skeletons in our closets will be revealed. David doesn’t have any problem asking the Lord to not let that happen. The last thing that we want in the middle of our troubles is the revelation of things that we did in the past and of which we are ashamed.
In the verses 6-11, David gives the reason why he is confident that God can hear and answer him. It is not because of David’s goodness, it is because God is merciful and forgiving. David is certain that if he asks God for forgiveness, God in His immense grace will forgive him. This is what he does: In verse 6: “Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.” And in verse 7, “Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.” And finally he confesses in verse 11, “For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.”
David helps us to understand that in the middle of our troubles and difficulties, when we think that there is no one else out there who could help us or look at us with favor, God still is our best and only option. If we trust in Him, humble ourselves before Him, recognize His power, and surrender to His grace and mercy, He will come to our rescue. He will forgive us, and He will restore us.
Have a blessed week,
Pastor Lucas