Psalms 25:4-7

25:4 Make me understand your ways, O Lord!

Teach me your paths! ¹ 

25:5 Guide me into your truth ²  and teach me.

For you are the God who delivers me;

on you I rely all day long.

25:6 Remember ³  your compassionate and faithful deeds, O Lord,

for you have always acted in this manner. ⁴ 

25:7 Do not hold against me ⁵  the sins of my youth ⁶  or my rebellious acts!

Because you are faithful to me, extend to me your favor, O Lord! ⁷ 

¹ sn Teach me your paths. In this context the Lord’s “ways” and “paths” refer to the moral principles which the Lord prescribes for his followers. See vv. 8-10.

² sn The Lord’s commandments are referred to as truth here because they are a trustworthy and accurate expression of the divine will.

³ tn That is, “remember” with the intention of repeating.

⁴ tn Heb “for from antiquity [are] they.”

⁵ tn Heb “do not remember,” with the intention of punishing.

⁶ sn That is, the sins characteristic of youths, who lack moral discretion and wisdom.

⁷ tn Heb “according to your faithfulness, remember me, you, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.”