I've taken a bit of a sabbatical from the blog these past several weeks. After wrapping up Nehemiah, I felt I needed a breather after nearly a decade of writing Bible studies. 

And, by breather, I mean that God performed some much-needed soul surgery on me. It was painful bliss. I know I will be better for it in the end, although at the moment, it seems tumultuous. More on this another day.

One of my sweetest friends and fellow sojourners in the faith pointed me to Psalm 25 recently. This psalm is an anchor for my soul, and each time I read it, I'm encouraged to keep following The Way. And, I'm deeply grateful for those God has sent to walk alongside me, too. 

Over the coming weeks, we're going to study this psalm. I refuse to rush it. We may just let a single verse and a few comments wash over us. That is enough. He is enough. 

Layer by layer, we'll allow the Holy Spirit to saturate our dry and brittle souls. To infuse us with hope. To awaken us with His love. We can trust Him to do that for us, just as He's done before. 

For this week, I'll simply allow you to read through the entire Psalm 25. I've provided it in the English Standard Version (ESV) below, but you're welcome to use a different translation. 

For a bit of context, I've captured a few note snippets from my ESV study bible. Next week, we'll pick up in verse 1 and follow as the Lord leads. Again, taking it in slowly and allowing it to penetrate our hearts.

Psalm 25. This is a lament in which individual members of the worshipping assembly ask God for help in their various troubles. While it expresses faith in God's kindness toward the faithful, it does not end in the confident way of most laments (vv. 16-22). The psalm also includes penitential elements, where the worshipers confess their sins and pray for forgiveness (vv. 6-7, 11, 18). As the notes will show, there are echoes of Pentateuch promises here, showing that the godly in Israel were to view the Sinai covenant as a gracious one. This psalm is acrostic, each verse beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This is the first psalm that is a consistent acrostic. Like other acrostics attributed to David (Psalms 9-10; 25; 34; 27; 145), this does not perfectly follow the acrostic pattern: the verse beginning with w is missing (it should be between 25:5-6); v. 18 begins with the letter r (as does v. 19), while q is expected; and v. 22 begins with p, as does v. 16. The acrostic pattern makes it harder for the poem to have a clear flow of thought, but the notes will show that the poet nevertheless provided one. 

This psalm is full of devout affection to God, the out-goings of holy desires towards his favour and grace and the lively actings of faith in his promises. —Matthew Henry

1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

2 O my God, in you I trust;

    let me not be put to shame;

    let not my enemies exult over me.

3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;

    they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;

    teach me your paths.

5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,

    for you are the God of my salvation;

    for you I wait all the day long.

6 Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,

    for they have been from of old.

7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;

    according to your steadfast love remember me,

    for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!

8 Good and upright is the Lord;

    therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

9 He leads the humble in what is right,

    and teaches the humble his way.

10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,

    for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

11 For your name's sake, O Lord,

    pardon my guilt, for it is great.

12 Who is the man who fears the Lord?

    Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.

13 His soul shall abide in well-being,

    and his offspring shall inherit the land.

14 The friendship[b] of the Lord is for those who fear him,

    and he makes known to them his covenant.

15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,

    for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,

    for I am lonely and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;

    bring me out of my distresses.

18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,

    and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider how many are my foes,

    and with what violent hatred they hate me.

20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!

    Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me,

    for I wait for you.

22 Redeem Israel, O God,

    out of all his troubles.