Monday, March 14, 2011

Psalm 25

I lift my inner being to you, Adonai;
I trust you, my God.
Don't let me be disgraced,
don't let my enemies gloat over me.
No one waiting for you will be disgraced;
disgrace awaits those who break faith with no reason.

Make me know your ways, Adonai,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth, and teach me;
for you are the God who saves me,
my hope is in you all day long.
Remember your compassion and grace, Adonai;
for these are ages old.
Don't remember my youthful sins or transgressions;
but remember me according to your grace
for the sake of your goodness, Adonai.

Adonai is good, and he is fair;
this is why he teaches sinners the way [to live],
leads the humble to do what is right
and teaches the humble [to live] his way.
All Adonai's paths are grace and truth
to those who keep his covenants ans instructions.
For the sake of your name, Adonai,
forgive my wickedness, great though it is.

Who is the person who fears Adonai?
He will teach him the way to choose.
He will remain prosperous,
and his descendants will inherit the land.
Adonai relates intimately with those who fear him;
he makes them know his covenant.

My eyes are always directed toward Adonai,
for he will free my feet from the net.
Turn to me, and show me your favor;
for I am alone and oppressed.
The troubles of my heart are growing and growing;
bring me out of my distress.
See my affliction and suffering,
and take all my sins away.

Consider my enemies, how many there are
and how cruelly they hate me.
Protect me and rescue me;
don't let me be disgraced,
for I take refuge in you.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
because my hope is in you.

I found this to be a powerfully moving prayer today. I really appreciated the specific wording of this translation. 'inmost being' feels more personal than 'soul' to me, and what a blessing to know that the Maker of the universe 'relates intimately with those who fear him'! This whole psalm touched me today, just wanted to share!

1 comment:

  1. I love the Psalms. It seems like, whatever I am feeling, I can find one that is exactly perfectly right for me. God's Word is LIVING!!!

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