Psalms 25:18

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Look {H7200} upon mine affliction {H6040} and my pain {H5999}; and forgive {H5375} all my sins {H2403}.

Complete Jewish Bible

See my affliction and suffering, and take all my sins away.

Berean Standard Bible

Consider my affliction and trouble, and take away all my sins.

American Standard Version

Consider mine affliction and my travail; And forgive all my sins.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 25:18 is a profound and moving plea from David, encapsulating the human experience of suffering intertwined with the burden of sin. It is a dual petition to God, first for compassionate acknowledgment of his deep affliction and pain, and second, for complete forgiveness of all his transgressions. This verse highlights a fundamental spiritual truth: true healing and liberation often involve both divine empathy for our distress and the merciful removal of our sin, underscoring God's role as both a caring Father and a righteous Judge.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 25 is an acrostic psalm, though imperfectly preserved in its alphabetical sequence, where each verse (or section of verses) typically begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is primarily a psalm of individual lament and petition, characteristic of David's prayers during times of distress. Throughout the psalm, David expresses his dependence on God for guidance, protection from enemies, and, crucially, mercy for his sins. The preceding verses establish a pattern of seeking God's paths and truth ([Psalms 25:4-5](/psalms/25-4 "Psalms 25:4-5 - Seeking God's Ways")), acknowledging his youthful sins, and appealing to God's tender mercies and lovingkindness ([Psalms 25:6-7](/psalms/25-6 "Psalms 25:6-7 - God's Mercies and Forgiveness")). Verse 18 thus flows naturally from a sustained period of self-examination and repentance, where David's external pressures are deeply felt alongside his internal conviction of sin.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical occasion for Psalm 25 is not stated, it resonates with various periods of David's life marked by adversity, such as his flight from Saul, the rebellion of Absalom, or the consequences of his sin with Bathsheba. In ancient Israel, suffering was often, though not always, perceived as a consequence of sin or divine discipline. This cultural understanding would have prompted individuals experiencing affliction to also examine their spiritual standing and seek forgiveness. David, as king and prophet, understood the weight of his responsibilities and the profound impact of his actions, both personally and corporately. His prayer reflects the deep personal relationship a righteous Israelite sought with Yahweh, where both physical and spiritual well-being were inextricably linked to divine favor and covenant faithfulness.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Psalm 25 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Compassion and Attention**, emphasizing the believer's confidence that God truly "looks upon" human suffering with active concern and empathy, not indifference. Secondly, it highlights the profound **Burden of Sin and the Necessity of Forgiveness**. David's immediate pivot from physical/emotional pain to the need for sin's forgiveness suggests a deep spiritual insight: that true well-being and peace are contingent upon a clear conscience and reconciliation with God. This theme is echoed throughout the Psalms, notably in [Psalm 32:1-5](/psalms/32-1 "Psalm 32:1-5 - The Joy of Forgiveness"), which celebrates the blessedness of confessed and forgiven sin. Furthermore, the plea for forgiveness anticipates the concept of God's active removal of sin, a redemptive act that finds its ultimate prophetic fulfillment in the suffering servant who bears the iniquities of many, as described in [Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - The Suffering Servant Bears Our Sins").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Affliction (עֳנִי, _‘oni'_):** This Hebrew term denotes a state of humility, oppression, distress, or misery. It often describes the condition of those who are poor, downtrodden, or suffering under hardship, whether physical, emotional, or social. David uses it here to convey a deep, pervasive sense of personal distress, indicating a state of being weighed down by circumstances.
* **Pain (כְּאָבִי, _kĕ’avi'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be in pain" or "to be sorrowful," this word refers to deep sorrow, grief, or heartache. It encompasses both physical suffering and profound emotional anguish. The use of this term emphasizes the intensity and personal nature of David's distress, moving beyond mere difficulty to a visceral experience of hurt.
* **Forgive (תִּשָּׂא, _tissa’'_):** This verb literally means "to lift up," "to carry," or "to bear away." In the context of sin, it vividly portrays God actively removing the heavy burden of sin from the individual. It's not merely overlooking sin, but an act of liberation and relief, where God takes the oppressive weight of guilt and consequence upon Himself, effectively "carrying away" the sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Look upon mine affliction and my pain":** This opening clause is a direct, earnest appeal to God's attention and empathy. David is not simply reporting his suffering but is pleading for God to actively acknowledge it, to "look upon" it with a compassionate and active gaze. It implies a desire for divine intervention that stems from God's personal awareness of his distressed state. This reflects a profound trust in God's immanence and His willingness to engage with human suffering.
* **"and forgive all my sins":** This second clause immediately follows the first, indicating a deep connection in David's mind between his current distress and his spiritual condition. The plea for "all my sins" to be forgiven is comprehensive, demonstrating a recognition of his total depravity and dependence on God's mercy. The juxtaposition suggests that David either perceives his suffering as a consequence of his sin, or that he understands spiritual healing through forgiveness is paramount to any other form of relief, viewing sin as the ultimate source of internal burden and separation from God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent **literary devices**. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically a form of **synthetic parallelism** where the second clause builds upon or complements the first, moving from a plea for relief from suffering to a plea for the removal of its underlying spiritual cause. There is also a subtle use of **Anthropomorphism** in the phrase "Look upon," attributing human-like perception and active attention to God, emphasizing His personal engagement with His creation. Furthermore, the implied imagery of sin as a heavy burden that needs to be "lifted up" or "carried away" (inherent in the Hebrew word for "forgive") functions as a powerful **Metaphor**, illustrating the oppressive weight of guilt and the liberating nature of divine pardon. The verse's raw honesty and direct address to God also exemplify **Supplication**, a common prayer form in the Psalms.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 25:18 stands as a profound theological statement on the interconnectedness of human suffering and sin, and the exclusive power of God to address both. It reflects the biblical understanding that while not all suffering is a direct result of individual sin, the human condition is fundamentally marred by sin, which often manifests in internal anguish and external distress. David's prayer demonstrates a mature faith that acknowledges personal culpability while simultaneously trusting in God's boundless mercy. It highlights God's character as both sovereign over circumstances and intimately concerned with the plight of His people, eager to forgive those who humble themselves and confess their transgressions. This verse serves as a timeless model for prayer, inviting believers to bring their whole selves—their pain and their sin—before a compassionate and forgiving God.

* [Psalms 38:18](/psalms/38-18 "Psalms 38:18 - Confession of Transgression")
* [Isaiah 43:25](/isaiah/43-25 "Isaiah 43:25 - God Blots Out Transgressions")
* [Lamentations 3:39](/lamentations/3-39 "Lamentations 3:39 - Why Should a Living Man Complain?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers a timeless blueprint for authentic prayer and spiritual honesty, encouraging believers to approach God with both their deepest vulnerabilities and their most profound spiritual needs. It calls us to acknowledge that our suffering, whether physical, emotional, or circumstantial, is a legitimate concern for God, and we are invited to lay it bare before Him, trusting in His compassionate gaze. More profoundly, it challenges us to consider the spiritual dimension of our distress, prompting self-examination regarding our sins and our need for divine forgiveness. In a world that often seeks external solutions for internal turmoil, Psalms 25:18 redirects our focus to the ultimate source of peace and liberation: God's mercy. It reminds us that true healing begins when we prioritize the cleansing of our conscience and the removal of the burden of sin, understanding that God's forgiveness is not merely an act of overlooking but a powerful, burden-lifting act of grace that brings profound relief and renewed fellowship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does acknowledging both your "affliction and your pain" and "all your sins" in prayer deepen your relationship with God?**
* **In what ways might unconfessed sin contribute to or exacerbate your personal suffering?**
* **What does it mean practically to allow God to "lift up" or "carry away" the burden of your sins?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse imply that all suffering is a direct result of personal sin?**

Answer: Not necessarily. While the verse links David's "affliction and pain" with his need for "forgive all my sins," it does not establish a universal, one-to-one causal relationship between all suffering and specific sin. The biblical narrative presents various reasons for suffering, including living in a fallen world ([Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Romans 8:22 - Creation Groans")), the testing of faith ([James 1:2-4](/james/1-2 "James 1:2-4 - Testing of Your Faith")), and even suffering for righteousness' sake ([1 Peter 3:14](/1_peter/3-14 "1 Peter 3:14 - Suffering for Righteousness")). However, the verse does highlight a crucial spiritual insight: that sin is a fundamental source of human brokenness and often contributes to internal anguish and external consequences. David's prayer here reflects a humble recognition that, regardless of the immediate cause of his pain, his spiritual well-being and ultimate peace require God's forgiveness for his transgressions. It encourages introspection and repentance as a vital part of seeking holistic healing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 25:18 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David's plea for God to "look upon mine affliction and my pain" is answered perfectly in Christ, who, as the [Man of Sorrows](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Man of Sorrows"), fully entered into human suffering, experiencing affliction, pain, and temptation in every way, yet without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest Sympathizes")). He truly "looked upon" and bore the ultimate human affliction—the separation from God caused by sin—on the cross. Furthermore, David's desperate cry to "forgive all my sins" is met comprehensively by Christ, who is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The Hebrew word for "forgive" (to lift up, to carry away) is powerfully embodied in Jesus, who literally "bore our sins in his body on the tree" ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ has not only looked upon our affliction but has also carried away the crushing burden of our sins, offering complete forgiveness and liberation to all who believe, thereby fulfilling the deepest longing expressed in this ancient psalm.

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

2 Samuel 16:12

It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.

Psalms 119:132

¶ Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

Matthew 9:2

And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

Psalms 32:1

¶ [A] Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed [is he whose] transgression [is] forgiven, [whose] sin [is] covered.

Psalms 32:5

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

1 Samuel 1:11

And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

Psalms 51:8

Make me to hear joy and gladness; [that] the bones [which] thou hast broken may rejoice.