“Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths” (Psalm 25:4).

In this psalm the psalmist confessed the need for his contrite heart to be taught of the Lord. “Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee” (vv.1,2). “Thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day” (v.5). “Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted” (v.16).

Along with his contrite attitude, the psalmist displays faith which is essential in order to be taught of God. “Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will He teach sinners in the way. The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way. All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies” (vv.8–10).

David, perhaps more than most, recognized that personal sin can be a roadblock to both faith and teaching. Therefore he begs, “Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions” (v.7), “For thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great” (v.11).

God’s ways are found in God’s word. “What man is he that feareth the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way that He shall choose. . . . The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him; and He will shew them His covenant. . . . O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee” (vv.12,14,20).

Our hope is: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, . . . And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths” (Isaiah 2:2,3). CJH