Psalm 25 1

Psalm 25:1 kjv

Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.

Psalm 25:1 nkjv

A Psalm of David. To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.

Psalm 25:1 niv

Of David. In you, LORD my God, I put my trust.

Psalm 25:1 esv

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.

Psalm 25:1 nlt

O LORD, I give my life to you.

Psalm 25 verses

Psalm 25 1 Meaning

Psalm 25:1 expresses a profound act of personal devotion and complete reliance upon the Lord. It signifies a humble turning of the entire being—mind, will, and emotions—towards God in anticipation of guidance, deliverance, and intimate communion. It is a foundational declaration of trust and hope placed solely in the covenant-keeping God.

Psalm 25 1 Context

Psalm 25 is an acrostic psalm (though somewhat irregular) written by David. It is primarily a prayer of petition, lament, and confession, interwoven with expressions of trust in God. The psalmist is facing various difficulties, including enemies, his own past sins, and the need for divine guidance in walking God's paths. Verse 1 serves as the opening declaration, immediately setting the tone of heartfelt and personal reliance on God. Before requesting anything, David establishes his posture of humble dependence and a conscious orientation of his entire being toward the Lord. This initial surrender grounds all subsequent pleas for protection, forgiveness, and instruction found throughout the rest of the psalm.

Psalm 25 1 Word analysis

• אֵלֶיךָ (Eleikha) - "To you": This Hebrew word is emphatic, pointing directly and exclusively to the recipient. It signals a complete and undivided focus. It is not "to God in general" or "among others," but "to You and You alone," establishing the singular object of the psalmist's devotion and trust. This directional preposition sets up the intimacy of the address.
• יְהוָה (YHWH) - "O LORD": This is the sacred, covenantal name of God (Yahweh or Jehovah), often translated as "LORD" in English Bibles (in small caps). This name emphasizes God's self-existence, faithfulness, and His personal, redemptive relationship with His people, particularly His covenant with Israel. By addressing Him as YHWH, the psalmist appeals to God's steadfast love and unchanging character, knowing that He is trustworthy and powerful.
• אֶשָּׂא (Essa) - "I lift up": This verb comes from the root `נָשָׂא` (nasa), meaning to lift, bear, carry, or take up. Here, it denotes a deliberate, intentional, and volitional act of elevating or directing one's entire self towards God. It is an active posture, not a passive one. It goes beyond mere intellectual assent or physical gesture; it describes the soul's energetic turning and aspiration towards the divine.
• נַפְשִׁי (Nafshi) - "my soul": The Hebrew word `נֶפֶשׁ` (nephesh) often translates as "soul," "life," "person," or "self." Unlike a modern Western understanding that might separate "soul" from body or mind, `nephesh` in Hebrew thought frequently refers to the totality of a living being—the essential inner person, encompassing the intellect, will, emotions, and life force. Thus, "I lift up my soul" means I lift up my entire being, all that I am, with all my capacities and faculties, in humble dependence and devotion to God. It is a holistic surrender.

• "To you, O LORD": This phrase together establishes the unique and absolute focus of the psalmist's prayer and devotion. It underscores that God alone is the source of help, refuge, and guidance. This direct address to the covenant God, YHWH, reveals an intimate and exclusive relationship.
• "I lift up my soul": This complete phrase captures the profound spiritual orientation of the psalmist. It signifies a decisive and deliberate choice to direct the innermost being—will, emotion, thought, life itself—towards God. It implies total reliance, spiritual aspiration, and a commitment to yield to divine authority and leading, effectively placing oneself entirely in God's hands.

Psalm 25 1 Bonus section

The "lifting" action (nasa) is not merely passive receiving but active engaging. It suggests aspiration, reaching, and an active internal decision to ascend into the presence of the Holy One. This deep yearning of the nafesh stands in stark contrast to any superficial, external ritual or coerced religiosity. It speaks to a profound act of worship originating from the very core of a person. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, deities were sometimes approached through specific incantations or formulaic requests. Here, David transcends such an approach, offering his very essence to the personal, living God, YHWH, in a relationship of trusting communion, thereby polemically affirming YHWH as the one true, relational God worthy of such comprehensive devotion, unlike inert idols or distant deities.

Psalm 25 1 Commentary

Psalm 25:1 is a concise yet powerful expression of deep spiritual commitment. David, as the author, initiates his prayer not with requests, but with a statement of total devotion: "To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul." This immediate upward gaze and surrender of the entire self establishes the proper foundation for all subsequent prayer, particularly in times of distress or moral seeking. The act of "lifting the soul" signifies an inward, heartfelt orientation away from worldly reliance and towards absolute trust in God. It embodies a posture of utter dependence, anticipating God's revelation, protection, and guidance. It is an act of proactive spiritual discipline, reminding the believer to turn all their being—their fears, hopes, desires, and failures—over to the faithful Creator, confident in His covenant steadfastness. Practically, this verse teaches that genuine prayer begins with a comprehensive, intentional, and exclusive turning of our deepest selves to the Lord, trusting Him completely with all that we are and all that we have.For example, when faced with overwhelming anxiety, one might consciously repeat this verse, letting the meaning settle—a deliberate turning from the problem to God. When seeking clarity in a difficult decision, "lifting the soul" means releasing personal wisdom and consciously seeking divine understanding and will.