Bible Verse:
“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.”
Psalm 25:5 KJV
My Story:
Growing up, I was always a bit of a perfectionist. That’s a nice way to say I was a control freak. I liked structure and order. Planning out every aspect of my life and felling anxious when things didn’t go according to plan was the norm.
I believed that if I worked hard enough and made the right choices, I could achieve anything I set my mind to. Often my self-talk included, “if you believe it, you can achieve it.” While this mindset served me well, it also caused me to become prideful and self-reliant.
Not liking to ask for help, I often handled problems on my own. I made these choices because, as a military brat, I became self-reliant. Asking for or needing help seemed weak to me.
In college, a solid group of like-minded and motivated friends surrounded me. I worked hard toward my future. My career path was clear.
Four years later, I earned a bachelor’s degree and the US Army commissioned me as an officer and selected me for active duty. Like my father, I saw the military as my career choice.
I did well. Promotions and increases in responsibility followed in record time. Excellence and high performance characterized anything I lead or was associated with. I was on the fast-track.
I held command and leadership positions with increasing responsibility. By age twenty-four I was over one-hundred and seventy-five men and women and managed a twenty-five million dollar budget.
My peers respected me. Colonels and generals sought my analysis of situations.
About this time, I felt like my career wasn’t as fulfilling. Life and work were out of balance.
As I sat in my office, I looked at the wall behind my desk.
Degrees and awards covered my wall as a monument to me.
Life has to be more than collecting pats on the back, I thought.
I opened my Bible and stumbled upon Psalm 25:5.
The words “lead me in your truth and teach me” jumped out at me. I realized I had been trying to do everything on my own without seeking God’s guidance. I took a step back and ask God to show me the path He had for me.
Over the next few months, I began to pray and read the Bible more regularly. I also sought mentors who could provide guidance and wisdom. The US Army wanted me to stay. I was told a White House Fellowship and stars were in my future. “Stay the course,” I was told.
As I did these things, I felt God leading me in a new direction. I requested release from active duty to attend seminary. I switched my major to religious education, paid the price in preparation by earning advanced degrees, and became involved in leading the educational ministry of a church.
It wasn’t a straightforward process. I was not yet a Bible scholar. Yes, sometimes I felt like giving up. But I clung to the promise in Psalm 25:5 that God would teach me and lead me in His truth. And I saw the pieces of my life falling into place.
Now, several years later, I can look back and see how much God has done in my life. He has brought amazing people into my life, given me opportunities I never would have imagined, allowed me to influence thousands of people through my writing, and taught me so much about myself and about Him.
And through it all, I have learned to trust in His plan for my life, even when it makes little sense to me.
Psalm 25:5 has become a guiding principle for me, reminding me that God is the ultimate source of wisdom and guidance. It has taught me to seek Him first, and trust that He will lead me in the right direction. And He has done just that.
Who wrote Psalm 25:5 and when was it written?
Biblical scholars attribute Psalm 25 to David. The Bible doesn’t give us the historical background for this Psalm.
We can assume David wrote it during a time of serious trouble. In the Psalm, he references the sins of his youth. Because of this reference, we can assume David wrote later in life.
What is the context of Psalm 25:5?
Psalm 25 is a prayer of trust and guidance in God. It is a psalm of David, and it is uncertain what specific context David wrote it. Scholars think David wrote it during a time of distress and trouble, when he was fleeing from Saul.
Psalm 25:5 reads: “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
David is asking God to guide him in the truth and to teach him. He acknowledges God as his Savior and places his hope in Him throughout the day. David is seeking direction and wisdom from God, recognizing that only God can show him the way to go.
Psalm 25 is a prayer of trust and submission to God, and verse 5 emphasizes how important it is to seek God’s guidance and truth in one’s life.
What is the meaning of Psalm 25:5?
This verse is a prayer to God for guidance and wisdom. God is being asked to lead him in the right direction and teach him the truth. The psalmist acknowledges God as his Savior and places his hope in God all day long.
We can interpret the verse as a call to God for help and guidance in times of difficulty. The passage recognizes God’s sovereignty and power, and affirms of faith in God’s ability to provide direction and guidance in life.
What does “Lead me in thy truth, and teach me,” from Psalm 25:5 mean?
Biblical scholars can read the phrase “Lead me in thy truth” as a request for God to guide the psalmist in the paths of righteousness and to show him the way of truth.
The phrase “teach me” suggests that the psalmist desires to learn and understand God’s teachings and wisdom. Together, these phrases show the psalmist’s trust in God as a faithful and knowledgeable guide in life.
This verse is a prayer of humility and dependence on God, seeking divine guidance and instruction in the ways of truth and righteousness.
What does “for thou art the God of my salvation;” from Psalm 25:5 mean?
“God of my salvation” means that God is the one who provides salvation or deliverance from troubles and difficulties. David recognizes that salvation comes from God alone, and that he must wait on God’s guidance and wisdom all day long.
The verse expresses the psalmist’s dependence on God and his faith that God will guide and teach him in the right way, and save him from his troubles.
What does “on thee do I wait all the day.” from Psalm 25:5 mean?
The phrase “on thee do I wait all the day” means that the psalmist is placing his trust and hope in God, and is waiting for God’s guidance and help throughout the day. The psalmist recognizes that God is the source of his salvation and that he needs God’s wisdom and guidance to navigate his life.
In a broader sense, we can see this verse as a call to faith and trust in God. It encourages believers to turn to God for guidance and protection, and to place their faith in Him throughout the day.
What is the difference in biblical translations of Psalm 25:5 (KJV, NIV & ESV)
• Psalm 25:5 KJV biblical translation says:
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
Psalm 25:5 KJV
• Psalm 25:5 NIV biblical translation says:
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:5 NIV
• Psalm 25:5 ESV biblical translation says:
Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.
Psalm 25:5 ESV
How does Psalm 25:5 give encouragement?
Psalm 25:5 says, “Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.”
This verse can provide encouragement to those who are seeking guidance and direction in their lives. The psalmist acknowledges that God is the God of his salvation and that he is waiting for God’s guidance all day long. This shows a deep trust and reliance on God to provide wisdom and understanding.
The verse highlights why learning from God’s truth has importance. The psalmist recognizes the need to be taught by God and to be led by His truth. This can encourage believers to seek God’s truth through studying the Bible and prayer, trusting that God will provide the wisdom and understanding they need.
Overall, Psalm 25:5 encourages believers to trust in God for guidance and to seek His truth as they navigate life’s challenges.
How can I apply Psalm 25:5 to my life?
Psalm 25:5 says, “Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.” This verse reminds us that God is the source of truth and salvation, and that we can trust Him to guide us on the right path. Here are some ways you can apply this verse to your life:
- Seek God’s guidance: When faced with tough decisions or uncertain situations, ask God to lead you in His truth. Pray for wisdom and discernment, and trust that God will show you the right way.
- Learn from God’s word: The Bible is God’s word and contains the truth that we need to live our lives. Study the scriptures and ask God to teach you through His word.
- Trust in God’s salvation: Remember that God has already saved us through Jesus Christ. We can trust in His love and grace, knowing that He will never abandon us.
- Wait on God: Sometimes, we may not receive immediate answers to our prayers or guidance from God. But we can wait, trusting that God will reveal His truth in His timing.
Overall, Psalm 25:5 encourages us to seek God’s guidance and trust in His truth and salvation. By doing so, we can live a life that is pleasing to God and experience His blessings and peace.
A model or example prayer using Psalm 25:5
Dear God,
I come before you with a humble and contrite heart, seeking your guidance and wisdom. Your word in Psalm 25:5 reminds me to trust in you and to seek your ways always.
Lord, I trust in you with all my heart, and I ask that you show me your ways and teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; on you, I wait all the day long.
Help me recognize and follow your will for my life, even when it may not be the easiest path to take. Strengthen my faith and give me the courage to obey you, knowing that your ways are always perfect.
Thank you, Lord, for your loving-kindness and faithfulness. I trust in you and I put my hope in your unfailing love.
In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen.
Conclusion:
God’s guidance is available for our life. It begins by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
To receive the guidance of God’s truth, we need to ask Him to share and teach us. After asking, we wait for His answer.
Today’s article is from the forthcoming book: “Hope: How to Have Hope During Times of Hardship | The Bible Speaks to Life Issues, Book Three” by Jimmie Aaron Kepler, Ed.D. form Poetry and Prayer Press (c) 2023
Books by Jimmie Aaron Kepler are available online at SEE JIMMIE’s BOOKS
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Great post and reminder that we can become prideful in our faith, knowledge and success.
Thank you for your kind comment. God bless.
Amen to your inspirational message Jimmie. I know I spent years caught up in the world’s race for success. But God showed me the better way, His way and I have never regretted it.
Jimmie, our backgrounds and personality traits have some similarities. My military father helped shape me into an over achiever, perfectionist, with definite control freak characteristics. Like you, I’m so thankful for our heavenly Father’s faithfulness to guide us to submission and dependence on Him rather than thinking we must control everything. I’m looking forward to this new book.