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Commentary on Psalms 25 verses 15–22
David, encouraged by the promises he had been meditating upon, here renews his addresses to God, and concludes the psalm, as he began, with professions of dependence upon God and desire towards him.
I. He lays open before God the calamitous condition he was in. His feet were in the net, held fast and entangled, so that he could not extricate himself out of his difficulties, Psa 25:15. He was desolate and afflicted, Psa 25:16. It is common for those that are afflicted to be desolate; their friends desert them then, and they are themselves disposed to sit alone and keep silence, Lam 3:28. David calls himself desolate and solitary because he depended not upon his servants and soldiers, but relied as entirely upon God as if he had no prospect at all of help and succour from any creature. Being in distress, in many distresses, the troubles of his heart were enlarged (Psa 25:17), he grew more and more melancholy and troubled in mind. Sense of sin afflicted him more than any thing else: this it was that broke and wounded his spirit, and made his outward troubles lie heavily upon him. He was in affliction and pain, Psa 25:18. His enemies that persecuted him were many and malicious (they hated him), and very barbarous; it was with a cruel hatred that they hated him, Psa 25:19. Such were Christ's enemies and the persecutors of his church.
II. He expresses the dependence he had upon God in these distresses (Psa 25:15): My eyes are ever towards the Lord. Idolaters were for gods that they could see with their bodily eyes, and they had their eyes ever towards their idols, Isa 17:7, Isa 17:8. But it is an eye of faith that we must have towards God, who is a Spirit, Zac 9:1. Our meditation of him must be sweet, and we must always set him before us: in all our ways we must acknowledge him and do all to his glory. Thus we must live a life of communion with God, not only in ordinances, but in providences, not only in acts of devotion, but in the whole course of our conversation. David had the comfort of this in his affliction; for, because his eyes were ever towards the Lord, he doubted not but he would pluck his feet out of the net, that he would deliver him from the corruptions of his own heart (so some), from the designs of his enemies against him, so others. Those that have their eye ever towards God shall not have their feet long in the net. He repeats his profession of dependence upon God (Psa 25:20) - Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in thee; and of expectation from him - I wait on thee, Psa 25:21. It is good thus to hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.
III. He prays earnestly to God for relief and succour,
1.For himself.
(1.)See how he begs, [1.] For the remission of sin (Psa 25:18): Forgive all my sins. Those were his heaviest burdens, and which brought upon him all other burdens. He had begged (Psa 25:7) for the pardon of the sins of his youth, and (Psa 25:11) for the pardon of some one particular iniquity that was remarkably great, which some think, was his sin in the matter of Uriah. But her he prays, Lord, forgive all, take away all iniquity. It is observable that, as to his affliction, he asks for no more than God's regard to it: "Look upon my affliction and my pain, and do with it as thou pleasest." But, as to his sin, he asks for no less than a full pardon: Forgive all my sins. When at any time we are in trouble we should be more concerned about our sins, to get them pardoned, than about our afflictions, to get them removed. Yet he prays, [2.] For the redress of his grievances. His mind was troubled for God's withdrawings from him and under the sense he had of his displeasure against him for his sins; and therefore he prays (Psa 25:16), Turn thou unto me. And, if God turn to us, no matter who turns from us. His condition was troubled, and, in reference to that, he prays, "O bring thou me out of my distresses. I see no way of deliverance open; but thou canst either find one or make one." His enemies were spiteful; and in reference to that, he prays, "O keep my soul from falling into their hands, or else deliver me out of their hands."
(2.)Four things he mentions by way of plea to enforce these petitions, and refers himself and them to God's consideration: - [1.] He pleads God's mercy: Have mercy upon me. Men of the greatest merits would be undone if they had not to do with a God of infinite mercies. [2.] He pleads his own misery, the distress he was in, his affliction and pain, especially the troubles of his heart, all which made him the proper object of divine mercy. [3.] He pleads the iniquity of his enemies: "Lord, consider them, how cruel they are, and deliver me out of their hands." [4.] He pleads his own integrity, Psa 25:12. Though he had owned himself guilty before God, and had confessed his sins against him, yet, as to his enemies, he had the testimony of his conscience that he had done them no wrong, which was his comfort when they hated him with cruel hatred; and he prays that this might preserve him, This intimates that he did not expect to be safe any longer than he continued in his integrity and uprightness, and that, while he did continue in it, he did not doubt of being safe. Sincerity will be our best security in the worst of times. Integrity and uprightness will be a man's preservation more than the wealth and honour of the world can be. These will preserve us to the heavenly kingdom. We should therefore pray to God to preserve us in our integrity and then be assured that that will preserve us.
2.For the church of God (Psa 25:22): Redeem Israel, O God! out of all his troubles. David was now in trouble himself, but he thinks it not strange, since trouble is the lot of all God's Israel. Why should any one member fare better than the whole body? David's troubles were enlarged, and very earnest he was with God to deliver him, yet he forgets not the distresses of God's church; for, when we have ever so much business of our own at the throne of grace, we must still remember to pray for the public. Good men have little comfort in their own safety while the church is in distress and danger. This prayer is a prophecy that God would, at length, give David rest, and therewith give Israel rest from all their enemies round about. It is a prophecy of the sending of the Messiah in due time to redeem Israel from his iniquities (Psa 130:8) and so to redeem them from their troubles. It refers also to the happiness of the future state. In heaven, and in heaven only, will God's Israel be perfectly redeemed from all troubles.
"Consider mine enemies, how they are multiplied" [Psalm 25:19]. For not only without, but even within, in the Church's very communion, they are not wanting. "And with an unrighteous hate they hate me." And they hate me who love them.
In saying “Look on my enemies,” the church prays for them to return, because God converts without hesitation those on whom he looks, as in the Gospel the Lord looked at Peter in such a way that he wept.… One could believe that a few people might be disregarded, but the loss of many could not be endured without much grief.
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SUMMARY
Psalm 25:19 presents a poignant and direct plea from David to God, urging divine "consideration" of his numerous adversaries. This verse encapsulates the intense pressure and profound vulnerability David felt, as he faced not merely opposition but a deep-seated, violent animosity from those who sought his harm. It serves as a raw and honest expression of distress, appealing to God's justice and active intervention against relentless foes.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 25:19 employs several literary devices to convey David's urgent plea and the intensity of his suffering. The most prominent is the Imperative Mood of "Consider," which functions as a direct, impassioned command or entreaty to God. This highlights David's utter dependence and the urgency of his situation, as he calls upon the divine to act decisively. The phrase "they are many" can be understood as Hyperbole or Exaggeration, emphasizing the overwhelming feeling of being outnumbered and beleaguered, even if the literal count wasn't astronomically high. This rhetorical device effectively communicates David's sense of being surrounded and vulnerable, amplifying the perceived threat. Furthermore, the vivid description "cruel hatred" utilizes Emotive Language and Vivid Imagery. The term "cruel" (from châmâç) paints a picture of violent, unjust malice, making the enemies' animosity palpable and underscoring the severity of their destructive intent. This powerful imagery evokes sympathy for David's plight and reinforces the need for divine intervention against such malevolent forces.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 25:19 profoundly speaks to the theological truth of God's attentive nature and His commitment to justice. David's plea is rooted in the conviction that God is not a distant, uncaring deity but one who sees the suffering of His righteous and hears their cries. By asking God to "consider" his enemies, David appeals to God's character as the righteous judge who will ultimately vindicate the oppressed and confront injustice. This verse reminds believers that even when overwhelmed by opposition, whether from human adversaries, spiritual forces, or challenging circumstances, God is intimately aware of their plight and capable of intervening. It encourages a posture of honest lament and trusting surrender, knowing that vengeance belongs to the Lord, and He will repay. It underscores the divine promise that God is a refuge for the oppressed and a stronghold in times of trouble.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 25:19 offers a timeless model for believers navigating their own seasons of adversity and opposition. It encourages us to bring our struggles, no matter how overwhelming or painful, directly to God with unvarnished honesty. Like David, we are invited to articulate the depth and breadth of the challenges we face, acknowledging the number and malicious intent of our "enemies"—be they literal adversaries, spiritual forces, or the crushing weight of life's circumstances. This verse reminds us that God is not unaware of our pain or the opposition we encounter; indeed, He "considers" our situation, meaning He is actively attentive and purposefully engaged. Our role is not to seek personal revenge or to be consumed by bitterness, but to commit our cause to the Lord, trusting in His perfect justice and timing for deliverance. This posture of dependence fosters a deep peace, knowing that the God who sees all will ultimately act righteously on behalf of His children, bringing comfort and assurance even in the midst of turmoil.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What kind of "enemies" is David referring to in this psalm?
Answer: David's enemies in the Psalms can be multifaceted. Historically, they refer to literal adversaries who sought to harm him, such as King Saul, rebellious factions within Israel (like Absalom's supporters), or foreign nations. Spiritually, they can represent forces of evil or those who oppose God's will and His anointed. Psychologically, they can even symbolize internal struggles, fears, or the consequences of sin that create a sense of being besieged. In Psalm 25:19, the phrase "cruel hatred" (sinʼâh châmâç) strongly suggests human adversaries whose animosity was violent and unjust, actively seeking David's downfall. However, the spiritual application extends to all forms of opposition that a righteous person might face, including demonic forces or systemic injustice.
Does this verse encourage believers to pray for harm upon their enemies?
Answer: While some psalms contain imprecatory prayers that call for God's judgment on enemies, Psalm 25:19 is primarily a plea for divine observation and intervention, not a direct curse. David asks God to "consider" his enemies, trusting that God's consideration will lead to righteous action. This aligns with the broader biblical principle that vengeance belongs to God, not to humans (see Romans 12:19). Believers are called to commit their cause to God, trusting in His justice, rather than seeking personal retribution. The focus is on God's vindication of the righteous and His dealing with the wicked in His perfect timing and way, which may include their repentance or their ultimate judgment.
How does God "consider" our enemies, and what does that mean for us?
Answer: When David asks God to "consider" (râʼâh) his enemies, he is asking for God to look intently and purposefully, with a view toward taking action. This means God is not merely aware of our struggles; He is actively attentive and engaged with our situation. For believers, this implies that God sees every injustice, every act of "cruel hatred" directed against us, and He is moved to respond. It assures us that our suffering is not unnoticed by heaven and that God, in His perfect timing and wisdom, will intervene to bring about justice, deliverance, or strength to endure. It empowers us to release our burdens to Him, trusting that His active "consideration" will lead to a righteous outcome, whether in this life or the next. This divine attentiveness provides immense comfort and a foundation for sustained faith.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 25:19 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as David faced "many" enemies who hated him with "cruel hatred," so too did Jesus. From the religious leaders who plotted His demise to the crowds who cried "Crucify him!", Jesus was the quintessential righteous sufferer, despised and rejected by men (as prophesied in Isaiah 53:3). His enemies were indeed numerous, and their hatred was imbued with the ultimate "violence" and "injustice" (châmâç) as they unjustly condemned and crucified the Son of God. Yet, in His suffering, Jesus did not seek personal vengeance but committed Himself to the Father, echoing David's plea for divine "consideration." His prayer in Gethsemane, "not my will, but yours, be done" (Matthew 26:39), reflects a perfect trust in God's sovereign plan, even amidst the most intense opposition and hatred. Ultimately, through His death and resurrection, Jesus triumphed over all principalities and powers (Colossians 2:15), destroying the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil (Hebrews 2:14-15). Thus, David's cry for God to "consider" his enemies is answered in Christ's ultimate victory, demonstrating that God indeed saw, heard, and acted decisively against the forces of evil and hatred, securing eternal deliverance for all who trust in Him.