There is one more thing that we need to see about this psalm, however. It presents a problem; it suggests a solution; it expresses confidence that God will provide the solution needed. But, finally, it also shows the attitude of heart that will enable the psalmist to receive the anticipated blessing. It has several parts.

David knows that is not going to happen, however, because, as I have been saying, this is not a psalm of anguish but a psalm of mature trust in God and instruction for others. From the beginning David's assertion is that he will not be put to shame ("no one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame,” verse 3) and that this will happen to his treacherous enemies instead.

Since Psalm 25 is not a highly dramatic or emotionally charged psalm but rather a quietly mature one, it presents its theme in a way most of us can easily identify with. We see it at the beginning. The entry point or door of the psalm is "shame," a word that occurs three times in the opening verses (once in verse 2 and twice in verse 3). Since the word also occurs in verse 20, near the end of the psalm, the thought of shame provides a context or background for what is said.

There is a tendency among commentators to exaggerate the greatness, depth or pathos of any portion of Scripture they are expounding, in this case, for example, calling Psalm 25 "a sob of great sorrow"¹ or "the deep soul exercise of the godly remnant of Israel in the time of trouble and distress.”² I think the tendency is misleading in this case. Psalm 25 is great, but it is great in its calm and quiet maturity. It is not some powerful cry of anguish but rather a thoughtful prayer of one who knows that the only adequate foundation for any worthwhile life is God.