Psalms 25

Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.

1LORD, I give my whole self to you.

Note"Lift up my soul" means handing your whole self over to God, the way you might hold something up in both hands and offer it.

2O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

2My God, I trust you. Please don't let me be shamed. Don't let my enemies win and laugh at me.

3Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

3No one who waits for you will be shamed. But people who break their promises for no reason will be shamed.

NoteThe KJV says "transgress," which means to break a rule or a promise on purpose.

4Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

4LORD, show me your ways. Teach me the paths you want me to walk.

5Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

5Lead me in what is true, and teach me. You are the God who saves me. I wait for you all day long.

6Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.

6LORD, remember how kind and loving you are. You have been this way since long, long ago.

7Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.

7Please don't remember the wrong things I did when I was young. Don't remember the times I turned away from you. Remember me because you love me. Remember me because you are good, LORD.

8Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.

8The LORD is good and does what is right. So he shows people who sin how to live well.

9The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

9He leads humble people to do what is right. He teaches humble people his way.

10All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

10The LORD is loving and true in everything he does. He is this way to people who keep his agreement and his rules.

11For thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

11LORD, forgive the wrong I have done, because of who you are. What I did was very bad.

12What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.

12Is there someone who loves and honors the LORD? God will teach that person which path to take.

13His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.

13That person will live safe and well. His children and grandchildren will live in the land.

Note"His seed" in the old English means his children and the children after them, not plant seeds.

14The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

14The LORD shares his close thoughts with people who honor him. He shows them what his agreement means.

15Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

15I keep my eyes on the LORD. He will pull my feet out of the trap.

16Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.

16Turn toward me and be kind to me. I am lonely, and I am hurting.

17The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.

17The troubles in my heart keep growing. Please bring me out of my hard times.

18Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.

18Look at my pain and my trouble. Please forgive all my sins.

19Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.

19Look at my enemies. There are so many of them. They hate me in a mean, hurting way.

20O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.

20Watch over my life and rescue me. Don't let me be shamed. I hide myself safely in you.

21Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.

21May honesty and doing right keep me safe. I am waiting for you.

22Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

22God, save the people of Israel from all their troubles.