Psalms 25:22

KJV

Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

KJV (with Strong's)

Redeem {H6299} Israel {H3478}, O God {H430}, out of all his troubles {H6869}.

Complete Jewish Bible

God! Redeem Isra'el from all their troubles!

Berean Standard Bible

Redeem Israel, O God, from all its distress.

American Standard Version

Redeem Israel, O God, Out of all his troubles.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 25:22 serves as a profound concluding plea in an acrostic psalm attributed to David, shifting from the psalmist's intensely personal petitions for forgiveness, guidance, and protection to a comprehensive, intercessory cry for the entire nation of Israel. This verse encapsulates a deep reliance on God as the ultimate Redeemer, imploring divine intervention to deliver His people from the totality of their afflictions and distresses, thereby broadening the scope of the psalm's hope from individual salvation to corporate restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 25 is an acrostic psalm, meaning each successive verse (or pair of verses) begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet in order, a literary device often used to aid memorization and to convey a sense of completeness or comprehensiveness. Throughout the psalm, David pours out his heart to God, confessing sins, seeking divine instruction, and pleading for deliverance from enemies and shame. Verses 1-21 are predominantly individual laments and petitions, reflecting David's personal struggles, his trust in God's mercy, and his desire for guidance in the paths of righteousness. The sudden shift in [Psalm 25:22](/psalms/25-22 "Psalm 25:22 - A Plea for Israel's Redemption") to a corporate plea for "Israel" functions as a powerful concluding summary, suggesting that David's personal well-being and the nation's destiny were inextricably linked, and that ultimate redemption must encompass the entire covenant community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical backdrop for Psalm 25 is not explicitly stated, its themes resonate with periods of national distress or personal peril common during David's reign. As king, David was not merely a political leader but also a spiritual shepherd of Israel, deeply invested in the nation's covenant relationship with Yahweh. The concept of "troubles" (`צָרָה`, _tsarah_) would have encompassed a wide range of afflictions, from famine and pestilence to military threats, internal strife, and spiritual backsliding. The plea for "redemption" (`פָדָה`, _padah_) would have evoked the foundational narrative of the [Exodus from Egypt](/exodus/1 "Exodus 1 - Israel's Deliverance from Slavery"), where God acted as Israel's great Redeemer from slavery and oppression, establishing a precedent for divine intervention in national crises.
* **Key Themes:** This concluding verse powerfully reinforces several key themes woven throughout Psalm 25 and the broader Psalter. It highlights **Divine Deliverance**, portraying God as the sole source of rescue from all forms of distress, echoing the consistent portrayal of Yahweh as Israel's deliverer. The theme of **National Intercession** is prominent, as David, despite his personal burdens, elevates his prayer to encompass the entire community, demonstrating the responsibility of leaders and believers to pray for the collective well-being of God's people. This intercession is rooted in **Covenant Faithfulness**, trusting that God will uphold His promises to Israel despite their failings. Furthermore, the comprehensive nature of "all his troubles" underscores the theme of **Comprehensive Salvation**, implying that God's redemption is holistic, addressing every facet of human and national suffering, a hope that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the redemptive work of Christ, as anticipated in [Isaiah 43:1](/isaiah/43-1 "Isaiah 43:1 - God's Redemption of Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Redeem (Hebrew, _pāḏâ'_):** The Hebrew verb `פָדָה` (_pāḏâ_) signifies to ransom, to deliver, or to set free, often implying a payment or a strong act of liberation. Unlike `גָּאַל` (_gāʾal_), which carries the nuance of a kinsman-redeemer acting on behalf of a family member, `pāḏâ` more broadly denotes a comprehensive act of rescue from bondage, danger, or destruction. In this context, it is a fervent plea for God to intervene decisively and powerfully to liberate Israel from all forms of oppression and distress, much like He redeemed them from slavery in [Exodus 6:6](/exodus/6-6 "Exodus 6:6 - God's Redemption from Egypt").
* **Troubles (Hebrew, _ṣārâ'_):** The Hebrew noun `צָרָה` (_ṣārâ_) denotes distress, anguish, adversity, or trouble. It often conveys a sense of being hemmed in, confined, or oppressed. The plural form "troubles" emphasizes the multifaceted and pervasive nature of the difficulties faced by the nation, encompassing internal strife, external threats, spiritual backsliding, and societal woes. The use of "all his troubles" indicates a comprehensive and exhaustive list of afflictions from which Israel needs divine deliverance, underscoring the depth of their plight and the breadth of the requested redemption.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Redeem Israel":** This is a direct, imperative plea to God. "Redeem" (from `פָדָה`, _pāḏâ_) is a call for God to act as the ultimate deliverer, to liberate His people from their predicament. "Israel" refers to the entire covenant community, broadening the scope of the psalm from David's personal struggles to the collective fate of the nation. It acknowledges that the well-being of the individual is often intertwined with the spiritual and physical state of the community.
* **"O God":** This direct address emphasizes the psalmist's profound trust in God's sovereignty, power, and covenant faithfulness. It is a recognition that only the Almighty God possesses the authority and ability to effect such a comprehensive national deliverance, highlighting His unique role as the divine rescuer and protector of His chosen people.
* **"out of all his troubles":** This phrase specifies the comprehensive nature of the desired redemption. "All his troubles" (referring to Israel's troubles) signifies every conceivable form of distress, affliction, and adversity—spiritual, physical, social, and political. It is a plea for holistic salvation, acknowledging that Israel's plight is multifaceted and requires a complete, sweeping act of divine intervention to restore them to peace and flourishing.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 25:22 employs several potent literary devices. The verse functions as a powerful **Supplication**, a direct and earnest prayer to God for intervention. It is also a profound act of **Intercession**, as David, the individual psalmist, shifts his focus from personal needs to advocate on behalf of the entire nation, demonstrating the importance of praying for the collective body. The phrase "all his troubles" is an example of **Hyperbole** or **Merism**, signifying the totality and comprehensiveness of Israel's distress, implying that no trouble, no matter how small or large, is beyond God's capacity to redeem. Furthermore, as the concluding verse of an **Acrostic** psalm, it acts as a final, summarizing appeal, bringing the entire composition to a climactic close with a broad, national focus after a series of individual petitions, creating a sense of **Inclusio** for the psalm's overarching theme of reliance on God for deliverance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 25:22 stands as a testament to God's enduring covenant faithfulness and His role as the ultimate Redeemer of His people. The plea for God to "Redeem Israel" resonates deeply with the Old Testament narrative of God's consistent acts of deliverance, from the Exodus to the restoration from exile. It underscores the theological truth that humanity's deepest troubles, whether individual or corporate, ultimately require divine intervention. This verse also highlights the vital practice of intercessory prayer, modeling how believers, especially leaders, should carry the burdens of their community before God. It affirms God's comprehensive sovereignty over all circumstances, assuring that no trouble is too vast or complex for His redemptive power.

* [Isaiah 43:1](/isaiah/43-1 "Isaiah 43:1 - God's Comforting Redemption of Israel")
* [Psalm 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God Our Refuge and Strength")
* [Jeremiah 29:7](/jeremiah/29-7 "Jeremiah 29:7 - Seek the Peace of the City")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 25:22 offers a timeless blueprint for prayer and a powerful reminder of God's character. It challenges us to expand our prayer horizons beyond our immediate personal needs to encompass the wider community, our nation, and the global body of Christ. Just as David interceded for Israel, we are called to bear the burdens of others in prayer, recognizing that collective well-being is intrinsically linked to individual flourishing. This verse instills confidence in God's comprehensive redemptive power, assuring us that no trouble—be it personal anxiety, societal injustice, or global crisis—is beyond His capacity to address. We are encouraged to bring "all" our troubles before Him, trusting in His unwavering commitment to deliver and restore. It calls us to look to God alone as our ultimate Redeemer, the one who has the power, the will, and the covenant faithfulness to bring about complete liberation and peace, fostering a spirit of persistent, hopeful intercession in the face of multifaceted challenges.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does shifting from personal to corporate prayer change your perspective on God's work in the world?**
* **What "troubles" in your community or nation are you called to intercede for, and how might you do so more consistently?**
* **In what specific areas of your life or society do you most need to experience God's "redemption" today?**
* **How does the comprehensive nature of "all his troubles" encourage you to trust God with every aspect of your life?**

### FAQ
**Why does David, after praying for himself, suddenly pray for all Israel in the last verse?**

Answer: The shift in [Psalms 25:22](/psalms/25-22 "Psalms 25:22 - A Plea for Israel's Redemption") from David's personal petitions to a corporate plea for Israel is a common feature in the Psalms and reflects David's role as king and spiritual leader. As king, David understood that his own well-being and the nation's destiny were deeply intertwined. His personal distresses often mirrored or were connected to the broader troubles of the nation. This concluding verse serves as a powerful summary and broadening of the psalm's scope, demonstrating that true redemption, for David, was not merely individual but ultimately encompassed the entire covenant community. It highlights the intercessory heart of a leader who recognizes that God's covenant promises extend to His people as a whole, and that ultimate deliverance must be comprehensive.

**What does "redeem" specifically imply in this context, and how does it relate to God's character?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "redeem" here is `פָדָה` (_pāḏâ_), which means to ransom, to deliver, or to set free, often implying an act of powerful liberation. In the context of [Psalms 25:22](/psalms/25-22 "Psalms 25:22 - A Plea for Israel's Redemption"), it implores God to act decisively as the liberator of Israel from all their bondages and distresses. This aligns perfectly with God's character as revealed throughout the Old Testament, particularly His foundational act of redeeming Israel from slavery in [Exodus 6:6](/exodus/6-6 "Exodus 6:6 - God's Mighty Redemption from Egypt"). It underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant, His power to overcome any obstacle, and His compassionate nature as the one who hears the cries of His people and acts to set them free.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 25:22, with its fervent plea for God to "Redeem Israel... out of all his troubles," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While David prayed for a temporal, national deliverance, the New Testament reveals that humanity's deepest trouble is sin, and the most comprehensive redemption is spiritual. Jesus, as the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), came to "redeem us from all lawlessness" ([Titus 2:14](/titus/2-14 "Titus 2:14 - Christ's Redemption from Lawlessness")) and to purchase us "with his own blood" ([Acts 20:28](/acts/20-28 "Acts 20:28 - Purchased by Christ's Blood")). He is the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, not only for Israel but for all who believe, delivering us from the curse of the law ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")), the power of sin, and the dominion of death. Through His death and resurrection, Christ has secured a redemption that is far more expansive than any earthly deliverance, encompassing spiritual freedom, reconciliation with God, and the promise of eternal life, truly rescuing us "out of all our troubles" in a way that transcends the temporal and ushers in an eternal kingdom ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Redemption and Forgiveness in Christ")).

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 130:8

And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Psalms 122:6

¶ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

Psalms 51:18

Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Psalms 51:19

Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Psalms 14:7

Oh that the salvation of Israel [were come] out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, [and] Israel shall be glad.