Psalm 25:1-22

A prayer for help to understand God's ways

1 Lord, I offer myself to you.

2 I trust in you, my God.

Please do not let me be ashamed.

Do not let my enemies laugh at me,

because they are stronger than I am.

3 Surely nobody who trusts in you

will become ashamed.

But those who like to deceive others

will become ashamed.

4 Lord, help me to understand your ways.

Teach me your good paths.

5 Please be my guide and teach me your truth.

I trust you every day,

because you are the God who keeps me safe.

6 Lord, please be kind to me

and show me your faithful love.

From long ago you have always been like that.

7 Do not punish me for the sins that I did long ago.

When I was young, I turned against you.

Please be kind to me, because of your faithful love!

8 The Lord is good and he does what is right.

Because of that, he teaches sinners the right way to live.

9 He is a guide for humble people,

so that they know what is right.

He teaches them to follow his way.

10 The Lord is kind to his people

in everything that he does.

He shows his faithful love

to those who obey the rules of his covenant.

11 Lord, my sins are very many.

Please forgive me,

and show that your name is great.

12 If people respect the Lord,

the Lord will show them the right way to live.

13 People like that will enjoy a good life.

The land will belong to their descendants.

14 The Lord is a guide for those who serve him.

He teaches them to obey his covenant.

15 I always look to the Lord for help.

He will keep me safe from my enemies,

so that their traps do not catch me.

16 Please turn towards me, Lord,

and be kind to me.

I feel very weak and lonely.

17 I worry a lot about my troubles.

Please rescue me from them!

18 Look at all my pain!

See how I am suffering!

Forgive me for all my sins.

19 Look at all my enemies!

There are very many of them!

They hate me so much

that they want to hurt me.

20 Keep my life safe and take care of me.

I have come to you to keep me safe,

so do not let me be ashamed.

21 I trust you to save me.

Please take care of me,

because I am honest and good.

22 God, save Israel's people from all their troubles!