Psalm 25 · KJV
Psalm 25
Show Me Your Ways
Psalm 25 is a prayer for guidance and mercy: "Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths," trusting God to lead the humble and to forgive the sins of the past.
Psalm 25 (KJV)
1Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
2O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
5Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
6Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
7Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.
8Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
10All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
12What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
15Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
16Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.
17The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
19Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
20O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
21Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
22Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
What Psalm 25 means
David lifts up his soul to God and asks to be led: "Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me." The prayer is for direction from someone who wants to walk God's way, not his own.
Woven through it is a plea for mercy — "remember not the sins of my youth" — and confidence that "the meek will he guide in judgment." It is a treasured psalm for guidance, humility, and fresh starts with God.
Key verses
“Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.”
Psalm 25:4 · KJV — "Shew me thy ways, O LORD."
“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.”
Psalm 25:5 · KJV — "Lead me in thy truth, and teach me."
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A prayer from Psalm 25
Lord, show me Your ways and teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth, forgive the failures of my past, and guide me humbly forward. Amen.
Themes in this passage
Related passages
Frequently asked
What does Psalm 25 mean?
Psalm 25 is a prayer for guidance and mercy: "Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths," trusting God to lead the humble and to forgive the sins of the past.
What is Psalm 25 about?
David lifts up his soul to God and asks to be led: "Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me." The prayer is for direction from someone who wants to walk God's way, not his own.
What is the key verse in Psalm 25?
Psalm 25:4 — “Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.”
Is Psalm 25 in the King James Version?
Yes. The full text of Psalm 25 on this page is the King James Version (KJV), which is in the public domain.