Psalm 25:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.

NIV: Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.

NASB: Remember, Lord, Your compassion and Your faithfulness, For they have been from of old.

CSB: Remember, Lord, your compassion and your faithful love, for they have existed from antiquity.

NLT: Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past.

KJV: Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.

NKJV: Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, For they are from of old.

In this verse David reflects upon Jehovah's favors and love, and observes that they have existed "from of old." "Of old" can be literally translated as "from ancient times" or "from eternity." God has always shown mercy and love, but also, He has always been merciful and loving. These attributes are part of His nature. Likely, David wrote these words while recalling specific instances when God revealed His mercy and love to Israel and to himself.

In his song of redemption following the Red Sea crossing, Moses referred to both God's mercy and love. He exulted: "You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed" (Exodus 15:13). Psalm 106 provides clear evidence of God's steadfast love and mercy by telling how He came to Israel's assistance despite that nation's rebellion. The first verse calls upon Israel to "Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!"

Psalm 25:1–7 reveals David's trust in the Lord in a time of intense danger. He waits on the Lord to keep him from falling into disgrace at the hands of his foes. Parallel to this, Psalm 37:1–11 contains David's counsel about trusting the Lord and waiting on Him. He assures his readers that the Lord will destroy evildoers but reward the righteous. Psalm 40:1–5 also records the value David found in waiting on the Lord for deliverance from danger and distress.

This prayer of David uses the Hebrew alphabet as a pattern. This is an acrostic, where verses each begin with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The final verse, however, repeats the letter used in verse 16. David declares his trust in God and the value of the Lord's wisdom. Mixed into these praises of God's truth are multiple requests that David be forgiven of his sins. The psalm ends with David asking for rescue from his enemies, and for a similar redemption for the nation of Israel.

Psalm 25 finds David facing difficulty and seeking the Lord's guidance. Proverbs 3:5–6 offers a similar emphasis on divine guidance for those who seek the Lord's will. Deuteronomy 32 provides parallel teaching, as do Psalm 37:1–7 and Psalm 40.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 11/21/2024 9:37:16 AM