Псалом 25

According to the psalm, David appears to live near the tabernacle, which he could visit freely at his own discretion (Ps. 25:6, 8); all around him were deceitful, treacherous (Ps. 25:4), and malicious (Ps. 25:5) enemies, thirsting for blood and villainy (Ps. 25:9, 10). This could have been David’s position only at the beginning of Absalom’s rebellion before his flight from Jerusalem, but not during the persecution from Saul, when he not only could not visit the tabernacles unhindered and openly, as depicted in this psalm, but also secretly: he was followed everywhere and he was in constant flight. David’s testimony in this psalm of “his integrity” (Ps. 25:1) before God does not mean here a confession of complete innocence before Him, but of the innocence, undeservedness and injustice of those accusations that Absalom and his supporters brought against him as an unjust judge, a bloodthirsty person and a bad administrator. Judge and examine my case, O Lord, to show the undeservedness of my calamities (1-2). I hope in Your mercy, since I have never been an accomplice in the affairs of wicked people (3-5). As an innocent one, I will go to Your altar to sing Your praises and speak of Your wonders (6–8). Do not destroy me along with the bloodthirsty and bribe-takers, for I am blameless and act truthfully (9-12). Ps.25:1. Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and trusting in the Lord, I will not be shaken. “Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in integrity” - appoint judgment over me and my enemies in order to show before everyone my innocence of the crimes that they accuse me of. – “Trusting in the Lord, I will not be shaken” - my faith in God as a righteous Judge is the basis of my confidence that I will not be destroyed by my enemies. Ps.25:2. Tempt me, O Lord, and test me; melt my insides and my heart, “Melt my insides and heart” - judge and examine me not only from the side of actions, but from thoughts and feelings. Ps.25:4. I have not sat with deceitful people, and I will not go with deceitful people; Ps.25:5. I have hated the gathering of evil-doers, and I will not sit with the wicked; David calls his enemies “evil, treacherous,” “malicious and wicked” for the way they acted towards themselves, when they plotted against him and spread slander. “I did not sit with the wicked” (see Ps. 1:4). Ps.25:6. I will wash my hands in innocence and circumambulate Your altar, O Lord, Hand washing served as an outward sign of innocence (see Exodus 30:17–21). Ps.25:8. God! I have loved the habitation of Your house and the dwelling place of Your glory. “I have loved the habitation of Your house.” David was distinguished by his highly developed religiosity, which is why attending worship services and being present in the tabernacle was not just a fulfillment of duty for him, but also a matter of personal attraction. Ps.25:9. Do not destroy my soul with sinners and my life with the bloodthirsty, Ps.25:10. who have crime in their hands, and whose right hand is full of bribery. The enemies are called bloodthirsty and villains, since they were ready to resort to indignation and bloody reprisals to overthrow David. - “The right hand is full of bribery” - an indication that David’s enemies did not act disinterestedly, but took bribes, that is, they were bought or acted out of selfish calculations and ambition. There were many of these close to David, including his former friend Ahithophel. Ps.25:12. My foot is on the straight path; in the meetings I will bless the Lord. “My foot is on the straight path” - I am right before my enemies. - “I will bless you in assemblies” - for the mercies shown to me, for the protection I will sing to God in songs before all people and in all assemblies, of course religious ones. You might be interested in: