Psalm 25 [5]

Introduction

The Prophet touched with the consideration of his sins, and also grieved with the cruel malice of his enemies. He prayeth to God most fervently to have his sins forgiven, especially such as he had committed in his youth. He beginneth every verse according to the Hebrew letters, two or three except.

A Psalm of David

  1. Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
  2. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
  3. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
  4. Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
  5. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
  6. Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
  7. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O Lord.
  8. Gracious and righteous is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
  9. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
  10. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
  11. For thy name’s sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
  12. What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
  13. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
  14. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
  15. Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
  16. Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.
  17. The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
  18. Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
  19. Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
  20. O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I trust in thee.
  21. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
  22. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

Doctrinal Implications

We saw previously the doctrinal implications of David’s plea, that in asking for help of the God of His salvation, he was testifying that salvation is only in that way which David held to. He does not merely say God of salvation but God of his salvation, denoting the necessity of holding fast to the one and only doctrine of the fathers, and moreover applying that personally to his own experience and affliction.

Therefore, David calls out, not to a foreign or unknown God, but to his God inasmuch as to call all men to the worship of the same, and not unto idolatry. Those in the world and the false church, however, may have a show of religion, but inasmuch as it is abstracted from correct doctrine, it is separated from salvation, and the God of salvation, Jehovah. Therefore, the hypocrite cannot say, “my God” or “the God of my salvation” because he attributes salvation to any god, as the Calvinists call Arminians justified though they deny the doctrine of justification.

David, however, maintains his uprightness and doctrinal integrity in that he makes his plea not to any god, but to his God, that is Jehovah the God of his salvation. This is who we wait for and this is who we hope in. All Christian virtue and experience therefore must be judged by this touchline, and if our works do not flow from this fountain of precise doctrine, it is nothing worth.

How easy it is then to condemn all the activity and strange notions of the false church today. We do not need to spend days and nights in a full surgical analysis of their thoughts, words, and deeds to come to the conclusion that their works are rotten, for we have the word of the Savior as sufficient: “an evil tree (doctrine) cannot bring forth good fruit (practice)” and “even now the axe is laid at the root of the trees, and every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire,” “therefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Therefore, when David calls Jehovah his God, he is assuring us that according to his testimony, Jehovah is God alone and none else. Salvation is hoped for in vain from any other.

David Dickson

Here he prayeth for grace to behave himself holily under his exercise, and to have renewed experiences of mercies, such as he had felt formerly. Whence learn:

  1. The understanding of the way how the Lord useth to deal with his children serveth greatly for patient bearing of affliction; and the best way to eschew the snare of adversaries is to carry ourselves holily. Therefore, prayeth David four times to be instructed, and effectually taught, and guided in the ways and paths of God’s truth, or faithful word.
  2. Because the Lord in covenanting with us taketh the work of our salvation in hand, not to lay it down till he have perfected it; he alloweth his children, in all particular difficulties, to hold this ground, and constantly to expect the accomplishment thereof, whatsoever strait they fall into: and to wait for direction how to behave themselves, until it be perfected: for David giveth this for a reason of his prayer, “Thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day long.”
  3. Though the course of kindness and mercy seem to be interrupted by affliction, and temporal desertion, and to be forgotten on God’s part; yet faith must make use of experiences, and read them over unto God out of the register of a sanctified memory, as a recorder to him that cannot forget: “Remember thy tender mercies, O Lord, and thy lovingkindnesses.”
  4. Mercies and kindnesses sometimes felt may be, and should be followed up unto the very fountain of eternal love and election, from which they came; so shall the channel be opened, and run clear with fresh consolation so much the sooner: “Remember thy mercies to me, for they have been ever of old.”

Opening Prayer

Lesson 26. [1.2.3.] The Contents of Holy Scripture. Pt. 3. The Law: Exodus.

Westminster Confession of Faith 1.2

Under the name of holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testaments, which are these:

Of the Old Testament

  • Genesis
  • Exodus
  • Leviticus
  • Numbers
  • Deuteronomy
  • Joshua
  • Judges
  • Ruth
  • I Samuel
  • II Samuel
  • I Kings
  • II Kings
  • I Chronicles
  • II Chronicles
  • Ezra
  • Nehemiah
  • Esther
  • Job
  • Psalms
  • Proverbs
  • Ecclesiastes
  • The Song of Songs
  • Isaiah
  • Jeremiah
  • Lamentations
  • Ezekiel
  • Daniel
  • Hosea
  • Joel
  • Amos
  • Obadiah
  • Jonah
  • Micah
  • Nahum
  • Habakkuk
  • Zephaniah
  • Haggai
  • Zechariah
  • Malachi

Of the New Testament

  • The Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.
  • The Acts of the Apostles.
  • Paul’s Epistles to the Romans.
  • Corinthians I.
  • Corinthians II.
  • Galatians.
  • Ephesians.
  • Philippians.
  • Colossians.
  • Thessalonians I.
  • Thessalonians II.
  • To Timothy I.
  • To Timothy II.
  • To Titus.
  • To Philemon.
  • The Epistle to the Hebrews.
  • The Epistle of James.
  • The First and Second Epistles of Peter.
  • The First, Second, and Third Epistles of John.
  • The Epistle of Jude.
  • The Revelation.

All which are given by inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life.

Intro

Bullinger on the Knowledge of God. (4-3)

Lesson. The Book of Exodus. Exit. And these are the names.

Major themes:

  • Progressive revelation. Ex. 6:2-3
  • Limited atonement. See Ex. 11:6-7.
  • Redemption from Bondage through a mediator.
  • The calling of the ministers of God. See 4:10-12
  • Freedom through blood. The blood of our enemies (the guilty) and the blood of the innocent (Passover).
  • The providence of God and His sovereign timing. See Ex. 12:40-42
  • Covenant by law. Obedience required.
  • Israel’s failure. (golden calf) Intercession required. Ex. 32:7-14
  • The precise nature of worship. “See that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.” If the ceremonies were so precise, how much more should we regard the spiritual doctrine!
  • God is glorified in the covenantal obedience of His people. His glory fills the temple.

Structure

I. Israel in Egypt (Exodus 1–12:36)

Theme: Bondage and God’s Power to Deliver

  • 1:1–7 – Israel multiplies in Egypt
  • 1:8–22 – Enslavement and affliction
  • 2:1–25 – Birth of Moses and God’s remembrance of the covenant
  • 3:1–4:31 – Call of Moses at the burning bush
  • 5:1–11:10 – Confrontation with Pharaoh and the ten plagues
  • 12:1–36 – The Passover and death of the firstborn

God makes a distinction between His people and Egypt.

II. Exodus from Egypt and Journey to Sinai (Exodus 12:37–18:27)

Theme: Redemption and Testing

  • 12:37–51 – Departure from Egypt
  • 13:1–16 – Consecration of the firstborn
  • 14 – Crossing the Red Sea
  • 15 – Song of Moses and bitter water made sweet
  • 16 – Manna and quail
  • 17 – Water from the rock and victory over Amalek
  • 18 – Jethro’s advice and judicial structure

God proves His power to save and provide; Israel learns to trust and obey.

III. Covenant at Sinai (Exodus 19–24)

Theme: God’s Covenant People and the Law

  • 19 – God descends on Sinai
  • 20 – The Ten Commandments
  • 21–23 – Civil and moral laws (Book of the Covenant)
  • 24 – Covenant confirmed with blood

God reveals His holiness and binds Israel to Himself through covenant.

IV. Instructions for the Tabernacle (Exodus 25–31)

Theme: God Dwelling Among His People

  • 25–27 – Ark, table, lampstand, and tabernacle structure
  • 28–29 – Priestly garments and consecration
  • 30–31 – Incense altar, census, sabbath, and skilled craftsmen (Bezalel and Aholiab)

God provides detailed patterns for His dwelling, prefiguring Christ.

V. The Golden Calf and Covenant Renewal (Exodus 32–34)

Theme: Sin, Judgment, and Intercession

  • 32 – Israel worships the golden calf
  • 33 – Moses intercedes for the people
  • 34 – Covenant renewed, God’s name proclaimed

God is merciful and just—He forgives but does not clear the guilty (Ex. 34:6–7).

VI. Construction of the Tabernacle (Exodus 35–40)

Theme: Obedient Worship and God’s Indwelling Presence

  • 35–39 – Israel obediently constructs the tabernacle and its furnishings
  • 40 – God’s glory fills the completed tabernacle

God comes to dwell among His people, foreshadowing Christ and the Church.

Conclusion

Closing Prayer

Youtube Audio: https://youtu.be/Mu9oiSEIe7o

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