Psalm 25:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.

NIV: The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.

NASB: The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant.

CSB: The secret counsel of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he reveals his covenant to them.

NLT: The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant.

KJV: The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

NKJV: The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.

The Lord draws those who fear Him into the close bonds of friendship, and He will share His covenant with them. The Bible presents every person with a choice. He or she must choose to serve the Lord or to disobey Him.

In his old age Joshua summoned the people of Israel together and reminded them of this choice. He challenged them to "fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods your fathers served beyond the [Euphrates] River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:14). Then Joshua called for a decision. He demanded, "Choose this day whom you will serve," declaring, "But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15).

Jesus cited obedience to His commandments as the prerequisite to friendship with Him. He said, "You are my friends if you do what I command you" (John 15:14). James 2:23 says, "'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness'—and he was called a friend of God." Among other acts of obedience and faith, Abraham reverenced God so much that he willingly obeyed God's command to offer Isaac, his son whom God had promised would be Abraham's heir, on the altar (James 2:21–22; Genesis 22; Hebrews 11:17–19)). God stopped Abraham from killing Isaac and provided a ram as a sacrifice instead. It is a privilege to be called God's children, but only those who obey Him can be rightfully called His friends.

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.

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.