David confidently turned to the Lord for divine instruction and forgiveness from his iniquity because of His mercies for Israel. This psalm is a meditation on the character of God that prompts the humble to respond with confession and prayer. The psalm is an acrostic, as each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

A. Prayer for guidance and pardon (25:1–7)

The psalmist was not ashamed to turn to the Lord for instruction and forgiveness for the sins of his youth (v. 7).

25:1–3. David stressed his confidence in turning to the LORD. He lifted up his soul to the Lord without shame, for none who trust and hope (cf. vv. 5, 21) in the Lord will … be put to shame (cf. v. 20), that is, they will have their prayers answered and their needs met. This contrasts with their enemies and the treacherous.

25:4–7. David prayed first for instruction (vv. 4–5; cf. vv. 9, 12) and guidance (v. 5; cf. v. 9). He desired that God would show him His ways, including truth, and teach him His paths. Then he prayed for pardon (vv. 6–7). Based on God’s mercy and love, which had been known for ages, he prayed that the sins of his youth not be held against him. (Three times he prayed remember.)

B. Reiteration of the prayer (25:8–22)

The psalmist reiterated his prayer for instruction in the true way (cf. vv. 4–5) and pardon (cf. vv. 6–7) for his afflicted soul, but now his prayer was grounded on the revealed character of the Lord.

25:8–10. David extolled the nature of God: He is good and upright and loving and faithful. On the basis of these attributes He teaches sinners and guides the humble. Sinful humans need the gracious guidance of the LORD