Psalm 25:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.

NIV: Who, then, are those who fear the LORD? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.

NASB: Who is the person who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose.

CSB: Who is this person who fears the Lord? He will show him the way he should choose.

NLT: Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose.

KJV: What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.

NKJV: Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.

The Lord teaches those who reverence Him what His plan is for their lives. Faithful believers do not have to wonder what kind of life the Lord has carved out for them. The Bible contains plenty of instructions, warnings, and principles that are intended to steer us in the right direction (2 Timothy 3:16–17). We also have the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7–11).

Obeying God's Word is essential to a productive, effective life. When the Lord appointed Joshua to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land, He told Joshua to meditate on the Book of the Law day and night and to be careful to obey it (Joshua 1:8). He promised that good success would result from Joshua's obedience to the Law. It is also important to commit one's body as a living sacrifice to God and to be transformed by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:1–2). The reason for such a sacrifice of body and mind is stated in verse 2: "that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Psalm 25:8–14 was written by David about the character of God. He expresses the fact that it is wise to trust in God. David trusted God when life seemed tenuous. His foes made treacherous plans to disgrace him, but David trusted God to deliver him, forgive him, and guide him through life. Ephesians 2:8–10 is a companion passage. It teaches that God has a plan for all whom he saves.

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 5/1/2024 7:52:40 AM