Psalm 25:1-22

Salutation

... in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Amen.  Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us.  Amen.  Glory to You, our God, Glory to You.

O Heavenly King: Prayer to the Holy Ghost

O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, You are everywhere and fill all things, Treasury of blessings, and Giver of life: come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.

 Psalm 25:1-22

[A Psalm] of David.

To You, Lord, I lift up my soul.  O my God, I trust in You.  Let me not be ashamed, Let not my enemies triumph over me.  Yes, let none that wait on You be ashamed.  Let them be ashamed who transgress without cause.  Show me Your ways, Lord.  Teach me Your paths.  Lead me in Your truth, and teach me: for You [are] the God of my salvation.  On You I wait all the day.  Remember, Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses: for they [are] ever of old.  Remember not the sins of my youth, or my transgressions.  According to Your mercy remember me for Your goodness’ sake, Lord.

Good and upright [is] the Lord.  Therefore He will teach sinners in the way.  The meek will He guide in judgment.  The meek will He teach His way.  All the paths of the Lord [are] mercy and truth to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.

For Your name’s sake, Lord, pardon my iniquity: for it [is] great.

What man [is] he who fears the Lord?  Him shall He teach in the way [that] He shall choose.  His soul shall dwell at ease.  His seed shall inherit the earth.  The secret of the Lord [is] with those who fear Him.  He will show them His covenant.  My eyes [are] ever to the Lord: for He shall pluck my feet from the net.

Turn to me, and have mercy on me: for I [am] desolate and afflicted.  The troubles of my heart are enlarged.  Bring me out of my distresses.  Look on my affliction and my pain.  Forgive all my sins.  Consider my enemies: for they are many.  They hate me with cruel hatred.  Keep my soul, and deliver me.  Let me not be ashamed: for I put my trust in You.  Let integrity and uprightness preserve me: for I wait on You.

Redeem Israel, O God, from all his troubles.

________

We are often ashamed before God because of our sin.  This is a good and helpful affliction.  Being ashamed before the world is a different matter: it brings with it the frustration that we have let God down; and the kingdom might be shamed or even fail because of our sin.  The psalmist learns that he is not that big; but God is very great: He is also merciful and good.  We learn the hard way that our sins do not rock the kingdom of God.

God, on the other hand, is good and upright; He teaches and guides sinners.  This is especially true today in the gift of the Holy Ghost, Who is available as a gift to all who dwell on earth.  Because of the Holy Ghost it is possible for us to keep God's covenant and testimonies: we can even ask for and expect to receive forgiveness for our sins.  Moreover, we receive abundant "secret" blessings, and we are free to cry out to God for deliverance from all our afflictions.

God's forgiveness triumphs over all our shame, and affliction.  Israel and The Church are redeemed "by the blood of the everlasting covenant."