Community Study

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Notes for Teacher/Facilitator

Psalm 25 is an acrostic poem. Each line (more or less) begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Poems like this were used to help educate people in pre-literate or low-literacy societies. The content of this psalm is complex: David laments his situation, confesses his need for forgiveness, and draws from the wisdom traditions that helped form other parts of the Bible like Psalms 1 and 119 and the Proverbs. One helpful way to think about this psalm is that it is like a guide to be used when already walking along the paths of life. David admits the difficulties of God’s path but also makes known the unshakeable confidence which is available to those who belong to God. Thus, when facing uncertain times, Psalm 25 can be especially helpful. And in our current political climate, this psalm is needed to a very great degree!

Here are a few notes about particular words in this psalm:

• “Put to shame” (bosh) – vv.2-3, 20: This word means something like “cause to feel embarrassment or humiliation.” Shame can come as a consequence of wrongdoing, as a result of the actions of others, or as a social reality in many non-Western cultures. Here, in Psalm 25, it appears that David has in mind the potential of outside forces to create humiliation, which would lead to negative social realities.
• “Hope” (qavah) – v.3, 5, 21: This word literally means “to wait” but when used intensively, as David uses it here, it means “to wait with expectation” or “to hope.” This waiting isn’t passive; it requires the active involvement of the one trusting in God!
• “Teach” (lamad) – vv.4-5, 9: The way David uses this verb indicates that it is intensified, here highlighting David’s great need and desire to learn God’s ways.
• “Truth” (emeth) – vv.5, 10: This word is related to the word amen and thus usually means “truth.” But when used of God it often carries with it the ideas of firmness, stability, and faithfulness, especially when used alongside hesed (“loving” or “lovingkindess” or “covenant loyalty”) as in v.10.
• “Covenant” (berith) – vv.10, 14: This word simply means “agreement” and was used in the everyday lives of ancient Israelites. It referred to any kind of pledge between parties, such as treaties, marriages, business deals, etc. When used to describe the agreement between God and Israel, it wasn’t two-sided as in other scenarios. The relationship between God and his people owes everything to the initiator, that is, to God himself.
• “Integrity” (tom) – v.21: An attribute indicating that something or someone is undivided and complete.

Introduction

• Open your class/community time with prayer. Ask the Spirit of God to reveal himself to all of you through the Scriptures and through your discussion together.
• Discuss last week’s challenge and encourage people to share how the challenge went for them.
• Begin by discussing the differences between the path of God and the paths of the world. How are they different? Do they have anything in common? What about the path God calls us to walk is difficult?

Bible Questions

• In this psalm David begs God to guide him, to show him the proper way and path of life. He asks God to guide him in truth. What things other than God seek to give us guidance? How can we seek to be guided primarily by God instead?
• David says in v.5 that his hope is in God all day long. This is quite a statement considering the fact that David was beset by his enemies (vv.2, 19). Hope in God often feels quite at odds with the reality of our world today as well. What are some practical ways we can begin to find our hope in God all day long also?
• In several places throughout this psalm David asks for God not to remember his iniquities and to forgive his sins. We know that we need God’s forgiveness which is offered through Jesus to have eternal life. But what about God’s forgiveness allows us to live well in the here and now?
• David asks God to look on his affliction and his distress in v.18. Is it comforting to know that God can and will look on our pain and suffering?
• In light of the division and strife in our country in recent days and months, what does Psalm 25 contribute to our spirituality, well-being, and lives? What here in Psalm 25 can help us navigate the deep and murky waters we find ourselves in today?

Discussion Questions

• This psalm reveals God to be the one who listens, guides, and cares. How does God fulfilling this loving protector role cause us to feel about him? Why did you answer the way you did?
• When our brothers and sisters in Christ are in desperate need of direction, how can we help? And can we help someone who isn’t convinced that he or she needs help?
• What do walking the paths of God and sharing the good news of Jesus and his kingdom have to do with one another? Can both be pursued at the same time? And will walking the paths of God help in our efforts toward evangelism?

Takeaway

In times of discord and dismay, only God can hold us to his path!

Challenge

Take an honest assessment: Which path are you currently on, that of God or that of the world? Either way, we must turn to the Lord and submit all of our lives and decisions to him. Begin (again) today!