It’s easy for us to place the blame on those who hurt us, especially when they really are our enemies, when they really do take their hatred out on us by afflicting us in treacherous ways (verses 2 and 19). But even if our critics may be wrong about their tactics and their motivations, they might still have a point: we might in fact be guilty of some of the mistakes or errors in judgment which they love to point out, however painful their accusations may be (verse 17).

And in this psalm, David is careful to confess his sins, both past and present (verse 7). Instead of pretending that he is somehow immune from any criticism, he asks for God’s pardon (verse 11), relying for his salvation not on his own perfection but on God’s lovingkindness – His steadfast, unconditional, covenant-keeping love (verses 6-7).

Moreover, David admits that he still has a lot to learn. That’s why he asks God not just to pardon him, but to continue to teach him the proper way to live, and to lead him in the way he should go (verse 9). “Lead my in Thy truth and teach me,” David pleads in verse 5, modeling not the outrage of the proud, but the humility of the repentant.

And it is this humility that fortifies David even while he continues to be surrounded by those who hate him. It is his humility that helps him to take refuge in God, waiting for God to vindicate him instead of taking the punishment of his enemies into his own hands (verses 20-21).

And it is the same sort of humility that will allow us to be patient and gracious in the face of our own afflictions. For if we remain defensive and self-righteous, how can we truly celebrate the Christ who humbled Himself on Good Friday, not just before His Father, but before those who despised and rejected Him? How can we truly worship the One Who, in spite of His complete innocence, allowed Himself to be nailed to a cross so that we might be forgiven?

Psalm 25 (NASB)

A Psalm of David.
To Thee, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in Thee I trust, Do not let me be ashamed; Do not let my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none of those who wait for Thee will be ashamed; Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed.
4 Make me know 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; For Thee I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O LORD, Thy compassion and Thy lovingkindnesses, For they have been from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; According to Thy lovingkindness remember Thou me, For Thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.
8 Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way.
10 All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.
11 For Thy name’s sake, O LORD, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
12 Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose.
13 His soul will abide in prosperity, And his descendants will inherit the land.
14 The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant.
15 My eyes are continually 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 Look upon my affliction and my trouble, And forgive all my sins.
19 Look upon my enemies, for they are many; And they hate me with violent hatred.
20 Guard my soul and deliver me; Do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in Thee.
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for Thee.
22 Redeem Israel, O God, Out of all his troubles.