Psalm 25: To you O LORD I lift up my soul
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
In you God I put my trust.
Don't let me be shamed by strong enemies,
Or let them gloat over me,
Or let them gloat over me.
For no-one whose hope is in you
Will ever be put to shame,
But they who are rebels against you,
Will be put to shame;
They are without excuse.
LORD show me your paths and teach me your ways;
Guide me in your truth O LORD.
For you are my God, my Saviour, my hope,
My hope’s in you all day long,
My hope’s in you all day long.
Remember, O LORD your great mercy,
And your love, for they are of old.
The sins of my youth, my rebellion:
Forgive them O LORD,
Please forgive and forget them.
The LORD he is good and upright of heart,
He instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides humble men in ways that are right,
And he teaches them in his ways,
And he teaches them in his ways.
All the ways of the LORD they are faithful.
He loves those who keep his commands,
And so for the sake of your name LORD,
Forgive all my sin,
Though it is so very great.
Bridge
Now the man who will fear and reverence the LORD,
He’ll instruct him, show him his ways.
For the LORD will confide in those who fear him,
Make his covenant known to them,
Make his covenant known to them.
And they will then know his prosperity,
His children inherit the land;
And so my eyes will stay upon him.
He will rescue my life
From its snares and temptations.
So turn to me LORD, be gracious to me.
For trouble afflicts me in heart.
I am lonely and weak, look on my distress,
Free me LORD forgive my sin,
Free me LORD, forgive my sin.
LORD see how my enemies hate me,
See how their numbers increase.
O LORD may uprightness protect me;
My hope is in you,
In you I take refuge.
Coda
Save Israel from their troubles. (with repeats)
Jeff Lowe: lead vocal, backing vocal, guitars, concertina, keys, bass, drums
Paul Bellingham: piano
Luke Parker: cahon
Listen on Spotify, Amazon or Apple Music
Psalm 25 Reflection
Trust is a very rare commodity in a modern world. We have a deep tendency not to trust our leaders, our bankers, our police, our doctors or our politicians. And even in the church we can SAY we trust in God while harbouring a great deal of distrust, particularly when our plans and expectations run into a brick wall. Yet trust in God is a foundation stone on which a happy and fulfilling life can be built. Trust becomes essential when the enemies of unbelief and sin attack us. As David realises, trust and hope in the Lord will lead to deliverance.
An old Methodist song goes “Trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus.” Alongside trust in God and his all-pervading goodness, we need to be obedient to his God-breathed Scriptures that instruct us sinners in the Lord’s way to go. Such obedience will, in time, lead us to a time of prosperity and abundance, and even bring good things for our descendants.
Sometimes, of course, we feel lonely and afflicted, and our troubles seem to bombard us on every side. The accusations and recriminations running through our minds seem endless. But our faithful God, if we seek him, will give us a place of refuge.