Psalms 25:12

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

What man {H376} is he that feareth {H3373} the LORD {H3068}? him shall he teach {H3384} in the way {H1870} that he shall choose {H977}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Who is the person who fears ADONAI? He will teach him the way to choose.

Berean Standard Bible

Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the path chosen for him.

American Standard Version

What man is he that feareth Jehovah? Him shall he instruct in the way that he shall choose.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 25:12 eloquently articulates a profound spiritual principle: divine guidance is exclusively reserved for those who cultivate a reverent fear of the LORD. It posits a rhetorical question that immediately provides its own answer, promising that God Himself will personally instruct and direct such an individual, leading them along the specific path He has sovereignly chosen for their life. This verse underscores the intimate connection between a posture of humble awe before God and the reception of His perfect, tailor-made wisdom and direction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 25 is a deeply personal prayer of David, characterized by its acrostic structure (though imperfect in the Hebrew, following the alphabet). Within this psalm, David pours out his heart, seeking God's forgiveness for his sins, protection from his adversaries, and, most prominently, divine guidance. Verses like [Psalms 25:4](/psalms/25-4 "Psalm 25:4 - David's Prayer for Guidance") ("Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.") and [Psalms 25:5](/psalms/25-5 "Psalm 25:5 - Lead Me in Your Truth") ("Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.") reveal David's earnest desire for instruction. Verse 12 serves as a pivotal statement, identifying the prerequisite spiritual condition—the fear of the LORD—for receiving the very guidance David so desperately prays for throughout the psalm. It answers the implicit question of who is eligible for such divine tutelage.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed by David, this psalm reflects the spiritual landscape of ancient Israel. The concept of "fearing the LORD" was foundational to Israelite piety and wisdom tradition, distinct from mere terror. It signified a profound reverence, awe, and respect for God's holiness, power, and covenant faithfulness, leading to obedience and worship. This attitude was considered the beginning of wisdom and the proper posture for humanity before the Creator. In a culture where guidance was often sought through divine revelation (prophets, Urim and Thummim, direct prayer), the promise of God personally teaching an individual was a significant assurance. The "way" (`derekh`) in ancient Near Eastern thought often referred to one's course of life, moral conduct, or destiny, implying a divinely ordained path for those who honored God.
* **Key Themes:**
* **Divine Guidance:** A central theme throughout Psalm 25, this verse concretely promises that God actively undertakes the role of instructor for those who meet His condition. It assures believers that God is not distant but intimately involved in directing their lives, providing specific and personal direction.
* **The Fear of the LORD:** This is presented as the indispensable prerequisite for receiving God's instruction. It is not a servile dread but a profound, reverential awe that inspires obedience and trust. This theme is echoed throughout wisdom literature, where the fear of the LORD is consistently linked to wisdom and understanding, as seen in [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Beginning of Knowledge") and [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the LORD is the Beginning of Wisdom").
* **God's Sovereignty in Direction:** The phrase "the way that He shall choose" highlights God's ultimate authority and perfect wisdom in determining the optimal path for the individual. It implies a divinely appointed, tailor-made course of life, emphasizing that God's guidance is not merely advice but a sovereign leading into His perfect will.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Feareth (Hebrew, _yare'_):** This verb signifies more than just being afraid; it denotes a deep, reverential awe, respect, and worshipful submission. It implies a recognition of God's supreme power, holiness, and majesty, which naturally leads to obedience and a desire to please Him. This "fear" is the foundation of true wisdom and the proper posture of a creature before its Creator.
* **Teach (Hebrew, _yarah'_):** This verb means to instruct, guide, direct, or point the way. It is the root of the Hebrew word `Torah`, which means "instruction" or "law." Here, it emphasizes God's active, personal, and authoritative role as a divine mentor, providing clear direction and understanding to those who seek Him.
* **Way (Hebrew, _derekh'_):** This noun refers to a path, road, journey, or course of life. In a spiritual context, it often denotes one's conduct, moral behavior, or the overall direction and purpose of one's life. The "way that He shall choose" indicates a specific, divinely appointed path, not a generic one, tailored to the individual.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"What man [is] he that feareth the LORD?":** This rhetorical question serves to immediately draw the reader's attention to the specific character trait that is central to the verse's promise. It identifies the subject of the divine promise not by their social status, intellect, or material wealth, but by their spiritual disposition—a humble, reverent awe towards God. This fear is the foundational attitude that opens one to God's instruction.
* **"him shall he teach":** This is the direct and powerful promise. The "he" refers to the LORD, signifying that God Himself will be the instructor. This is not a passive imparting of knowledge but an active, personal, and intentional guidance. God takes on the role of a divine teacher, providing understanding and direction to the one who reveres Him. This teaching encompasses both moral instruction and practical guidance for life's decisions.
* **"in the way [that] he shall choose.":** This clause clarifies the nature and source of the guidance. The "way" is not chosen by the individual, nor is it a path of human devising; rather, it is the specific path that God Himself, in His infinite wisdom and perfect will, selects for that person. This emphasizes God's sovereignty and benevolent intent, assuring the believer that the path He chooses is ultimately the best and most righteous one for their life.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs a **Rhetorical Question** ("What man [is] he that feareth the LORD?") to immediately engage the audience and highlight the specific characteristic being discussed, setting the stage for the subsequent promise. The structure of the verse also presents a clear **Conditional Promise**, establishing a direct cause-and-effect relationship: the condition of fearing the LORD directly leads to the consequence of receiving divine teaching. Furthermore, "the way" is a powerful **Metaphor** for one's life course, conduct, or destiny, representing the journey and direction God intends for those who honor Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse encapsulates a core biblical truth: the fear of the LORD is the gateway to divine wisdom and guidance. It is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, establishing that true knowledge and understanding do not begin with human intellect or worldly pursuits, but with a humble, reverent submission to God. This fear is not a cowering dread, but a profound awe that recognizes God's absolute sovereignty, holiness, and goodness, leading to a desire to obey and honor Him above all else. When a person adopts this posture, God actively commits to being their personal instructor, guiding them through life's complexities and leading them into His perfect will. This divine commitment assures believers that they are never left to navigate life's paths alone, but are under the direct tutelage of the Almighty.

* [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Beginning of Knowledge")
* [Psalms 32:8](/psalms/32-8 "Psalm 32:8 - God's Instruction and Guidance")
* [Isaiah 48:17](/isaiah/48-17 "Isaiah 48:17 - The LORD Teaches for Your Profit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world saturated with self-help advice, trending philosophies, and countless voices vying for our attention, Psalms 25:12 redirects us to the singular, authoritative source of true guidance: the LORD Himself. It challenges us to examine the deepest posture of our hearts. Do we genuinely "fear the LORD"—not in terror, but in a profound, reverential awe that acknowledges His supreme authority, wisdom, and goodness? This fear is the spiritual antenna that tunes us into God's frequency. When we cultivate such a heart, we position ourselves to receive His personal instruction, trusting that He will indeed teach us "in the way that He shall choose." This means surrendering our own preferred paths, our limited perspectives, and our often-flawed wisdom, and instead embracing the divine blueprint for our lives. It calls for a daily commitment to humility, obedience, and an active listening to His Word and His Spirit, confident that His chosen way is always the best way.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what practical ways do I cultivate a "fear of the LORD" in my daily life, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to a deep, reverential awe?**
* **How does my willingness to be taught by God influence the choices I make, particularly when His chosen path diverges from my own desires or expectations?**
* **What specific areas of my life am I currently seeking guidance for, and how might a deeper "fear of the LORD" open me more fully to His instruction in those areas?**

### FAQ
**What does "fear the LORD" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: In the context of Psalms 25:12 and throughout much of the Old Testament, "fear the LORD" does not primarily mean to be terrified or scared of God. Instead, it signifies a profound reverence, awe, respect, and worshipful submission to God's holiness, power, and majesty. It is a humble recognition of His supreme authority and goodness, which naturally leads to a desire to obey Him, live in accordance with His will, and avoid anything that would displease Him. This reverential fear is consistently presented as the beginning of wisdom and knowledge, as seen in [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the LORD is the Beginning of Wisdom"). It's the proper posture of a creature before its Creator, opening the heart to receive divine instruction and guidance.

**Does God choose a specific "way" for every person, or is it a general moral path?**

Answer: The phrase "the way that He shall choose" suggests a specific, tailor-made path for those who fear Him, encompassing more than just a general moral code. While God certainly guides us in righteous living (a moral path), this verse implies a personal, divinely appointed course of life for each individual. This "way" includes not only our ethical conduct but also our unique calling, purpose, and the specific steps and decisions God desires for our lives. It assures us that God's guidance is precise and intentional, leading us along the optimal route He has designed. This divine choice ensures that the individual walks in a manner pleasing to Him and fulfills the unique purposes He has for them, as further illuminated in passages like [Romans 12:2](/romans/12-2 "Romans 12:2 - Discerning God's Good Will").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 25:12 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of divine wisdom and the perfect Teacher, through whom God's chosen way is fully revealed. The "fear of the LORD" that the Psalmist speaks of is perfectly exemplified in Christ's own life of complete submission and obedience to the Father, even unto death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). For believers, the fear of the LORD is now expressed through reverent faith in Jesus, acknowledging Him as Lord and Savior. It is Christ who declares, "I am [the way](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life"), the truth, and the life," making it clear that the "way that He shall choose" for us is ultimately a life lived in union with Him. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised as our Helper and Guide ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth Guides")), Christ continues to teach and lead those who fear the Father through Him. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - All Treasures of Wisdom in Christ")), and it is through Him that we are taught and empowered to walk in the specific, God-chosen path that leads to abundant life and eternal fellowship with the Father.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 37:23

The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Psalms 32:8

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

John 7:17

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself.

Psalms 111:10

The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do [his commandments]: his praise endureth for ever.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

¶ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.

Isaiah 50:10

¶ Who [is] among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh [in] darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

Proverbs 1:7

¶ The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction.