Show
me your ways, Yahweh. Teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth, and teach me, For you are the God of my salvation, I wait for you all day long.
Psalm 25:4-5
Psalm 25 [1.] To you, Yahweh, do I lift up my soul.
My God, I have trusted in you.
Don’t let me be shamed.
Don’t let my enemies triumph over me.
Yes, no one who waits for you shall be shamed.
They shall be shamed who deal treacherously without cause.
Show me your ways, Yahweh.
Teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth, and teach me,
For you are the God of my salvation,
I wait for you all day long.
Yahweh, remember your tender mercies and your loving kindness,
for they are from old times.
Don’t remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions.
Remember me according to your loving kindness,
for your goodness’ sake, Yahweh.
Good and upright is Yahweh,
therefore he will instruct sinners in the way.
He will guide the humble in justice.
He will teach the humble his way.
Psalm 25 [10.] All the paths of Yahweh are loving kindness and truth
to such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
Meaning:
In these verses, the psalmist David expresses a deep longing for God’s guidance and instruction. His prayer is a humble request for God to reveal His ways, lead him in truth, and provide direction for his life. This passage is a beautiful expression of trust in God’s wisdom, as well as a reminder of the importance of seeking divine guidance in all aspects of our lives.
- Seeking God’s Guidance
David’s plea, “Show me your ways, Lord; teach me your paths,” reflects a posture of humility and dependence on God. He acknowledges that he needs God’s direction to navigate life and doesn’t presume to know the right path on his own. This is a powerful reminder for us to adopt the same attitude in our walk with God. Instead of relying on our own wisdom or understanding, we are invited to continually ask God to show us His way.
This theme of seeking God’s guidance is echoed throughout Scripture. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Like David, we are called to trust in God’s direction rather than relying on our limited perspective. Only God knows the full picture, and His ways are always better than ours.
In Psalm 25, David isn’t asking for just general knowledge or advice—he’s specifically asking God to show him His ways. This shows us that David desires more than just practical direction; he wants to live in a way that aligns with God’s character and purposes. To know God's "ways" is to understand His heart, His values, and the way He desires for us to live in relationship with Him and others.
- Being Taught by God
The phrase “teach me your paths” in verse 4 further highlights David’s desire to be instructed by God. David sees God as the ultimate teacher, and he longs to learn from Him. This attitude of being teachable is essential for spiritual growth. When we come to God with open hearts, willing to learn and be corrected, He leads us in ways that will draw us closer to Him and equip us to live in righteousness.
Jesus echoed this sentiment when He said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). Just as David sought God’s instruction, we are called to be students of Christ, learning from His example and teachings. Through His Word and through the Holy Spirit, God continues to teach us today, showing us the right path when we seek Him with humble hearts.
David also recognizes the importance of being guided by truth: “Guide me in your truth, and teach me.” This shows that David desires not only knowledge or guidance but truth—the ultimate, unchanging reality of God’s Word. In a world filled with confusion and mixed messages, David is anchoring himself in God’s truth, which remains constant and reliable.
- Trusting in God’s Salvation
David’s prayer acknowledges that God is not only his teacher but also the source of his salvation: “For you are the God of my salvation.” This is a significant declaration of trust. David is saying that his hope and confidence are rooted in God’s ability to save and deliver him. David's reliance on God is not just for guidance in his daily life but also for ultimate salvation and deliverance from his enemies, sins, and struggles.
This recognition of God as our Savior is crucial for us as well. We don’t just seek God’s help for practical decisions or wisdom for life’s challenges; we rely on Him for the very salvation of our souls. It is God’s grace and mercy that save us, not our own efforts or understanding. Ephesians 2:8 reminds us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Like David, we can rest in the assurance that God is the One who rescues and redeems us, both in this life and for eternity.
- Waiting on the Lord
Finally, David says, “I wait for you all day long.” This shows his patience and persistence in seeking God’s guidance. David understands that God’s timing is perfect, and he is willing to wait for God to reveal the way forward. This waiting is not passive but active—it involves continually seeking God, praying, and trusting that He will provide the guidance needed at the right time.
In our fast-paced world, waiting can be one of the most challenging aspects of faith. We often want quick answers and immediate direction, but God invites us to wait on Him, trusting that He is working even when we don’t see immediate results. Isaiah 40:31 offers encouragement for this kind of waiting: “But those who wait for the Lord will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run, and not be weary; they will walk, and not faint.” Waiting on God renews us because it deepens our dependence on Him and allows us to experience His faithfulness in new ways.
- Walking in God’s Paths
David’s prayer in Psalm 25:4-5 encourages us to seek God’s guidance daily, to be taught by Him, and to trust in His truth and salvation. His words invite us to live with an attitude of humility, recognizing that we need God’s direction in every area of our lives. Whether we are facing big decisions or simply seeking to live faithfully day by day, we can trust that God will show us the way when we ask Him.
In our walk with God, this passage serves as a reminder to continually seek His guidance, to remain open to His instruction, and to trust in His truth. God’s paths are always the right paths, even if they don’t align with our own plans or desires. By placing our faith in Him and waiting patiently for His direction, we can walk in the confidence that He is leading us in the way of righteousness.
Conclusion: Psalm 25:4-5 is a prayer for divine guidance, instruction, and truth. It reflects a heart that seeks to be led by God in every aspect of life. David humbly acknowledges that he needs God’s wisdom and truth to navigate life’s journey, and he trusts in God’s ability to save and deliver him. His willingness to wait on the Lord demonstrates a deep reliance on God’s timing and faithfulness.
May we, like David, continually seek God’s ways, remain teachable, and trust in His salvation. And as we wait on Him, we can rest in the assurance that He will guide us into truth and righteousness, just as He promised.
See also: vs 5