Psalms 25 - Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 25:1. To thee, oh Lord, do I lift up my soul anew, now in this time of war and danger.

Psalms 25:5. On thee do I wait all the day. David speaks of his blessing the Lord seven times a day; probably four times in secret, and three times in household devotion. And how can any man be accounted truly devout and pious without doing so.

Psalms 25:14. The secret of the Lord. Chaldaic, סוד sod, the secret. Vulgate, firmamentum, foundation, strength, &c., designating that the Lord's counsel is sure, as well as secret. He told Noah of the deluge, and Abraham of the burning of Sodom. This is an expression full of confidence and grace, implying that the secret of his covenant, and knowledge of his word, are with the faithful worshipper. Job uses the word, Job 29:4: “When the secret of God was on my tabernacle,” his light and joyful presence. The secret communications of his peace, of joy and comfort, called the hidden manna, which the natural man cannot receive. This secret of the Lord is at all times the glorious high throne where we can run for particular directions and support in all duties and difficulties; for he will guide the meek in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way: Psalms 25:9.

Psalms 25:20. Oh keep my soul. Here, and in many other places, it is a prayer for God to preserve David's life from the sword: and can a man who so prays engage in offensive wars? His enemies have equal right to address the same prayer to the same God. He speaks more plainly in Psalms 26:9. When one nation robs another, a war may be just and necessary. The bible remedy consists in filling the earth with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

REFLECTIONS.

“We are here instructed most earnestly to pray that we may be filled with the knowledge of God; that he would teach us to walk in his way, and grant us pardon for all the sins we have committed. We also learn how advantageous it is to fear God. David has told us that God makes known his ways to the meek and humble, that he shows them that fear him the way that they should choose, that to them he reveals his secrets and his covenant; that he blesses them and their posterity exceedingly; and when they are in affliction he protects and delivers them out of all their distress. These are instructions of the greatest use and importance; carefully reading and meditating on these things, and frequently offering up to God the excellent prayers contained in this psalm, is one of the best things we can do to strengthen us more and more in the fear of the Lord, and secure our eternal welfare.”