Psalm 25:14 kjv
The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
Psalm 25:14 nkjv
The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.
Psalm 25:14 niv
The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.
Psalm 25:14 esv
The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.
Psalm 25:14 nlt
The LORD is a friend to those who fear him.
He teaches them his covenant.
Psalm 25 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:17 | "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do... | God shares His counsel with His chosen friend. |
| Deut 10:12-13 | "...to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways..." | Fearing God involves obedience and walking in His ways. |
| Deut 29:29 | "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things... revealed" | God reveals what He desires for understanding. |
| Job 28:28 | "...Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom..." | Fear of God is the foundation of true wisdom. |
| Ps 19:7-8 | "The law of the LORD is perfect... enlightening the eyes." | God's word enlightens those who receive it. |
| Ps 33:11 | "The counsel of the LORD stands forever..." | God's eternal plans are unwavering. |
| Ps 91:1 | "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High..." | Intimacy with God brings divine protection. |
| Ps 103:17-18 | "...His covenant to those who keep His testimonies." | God's covenant blessings are for the obedient. |
| Ps 111:10 | "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom..." | Wisdom begins with reverent fear of God. |
| Ps 119:98-100 | "...Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies." | God's word imparts divine insight. |
| Prov 1:7 | "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge..." | Reverent awe of God leads to understanding. |
| Prov 3:32 | "For the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but His intimate counsel is with the upright." | God has intimacy with the righteous. |
| Prov 9:10 | "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom..." | Similar to Ps 111:10; foundational for wisdom. |
| Isa 50:4 | "The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of disciples..." | God teaches His servants with insight. |
| Jer 31:33-34 | "I will put my law in their minds... they shall all know Me." | The New Covenant brings inner knowledge of God. |
| Amos 3:7 | "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel..." | God reveals His plans to His prophets. |
| Dan 2:28 | "But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries..." | God is the source of all revelation. |
| Mt 13:11 | "...To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom..." | Spiritual understanding is granted by God. |
| Jn 7:17 | "If anyone wills to do His will, he will know..." | Obedience leads to spiritual discernment. |
| Jn 14:21 | "...and I will manifest Myself to him." | Obedience to Christ leads to deeper revelation. |
| Jn 15:15 | "No longer do I call you servants, but friends..." | Believers have an intimate friendship with Christ. |
| 1 Cor 2:10-12 | "...the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God." | The Holy Spirit reveals divine truths to believers. |
| Col 1:26-27 | "...the mystery which has been hidden... Christ in you, the hope of glory." | The mystery of God is revealed through Christ. |
| Jas 2:23 | "Abraham believed God... and he was called the friend of God." | Intimate relationship based on faith. |
| Rev 1:3 | "Blessed is he who reads... and who heeds the things..." | Blessings promised for those who understand God's revelation. |
Psalm 25 verses
Psalm 25 14 Meaning
Psalm 25:14 reveals that the deep, intimate knowledge and counsel of the LORD, often hidden from the world, is uniquely available to those who profoundly reverence and obey Him. Furthermore, to this group, the LORD makes His covenant, His sacred promises and stipulations, explicitly known, understood, and active in their lives. This understanding is not intellectual striving but a divine revelation granted to a faithful heart.
Psalm 25 14 Context
Psalm 25 is a deeply personal prayer of David, an acrostic psalm where each stanza ideally begins with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. It expresses heartfelt trust in God's mercy amidst severe personal distress, enemies, and a consciousness of sin. The surrounding verses depict David seeking deliverance (vv. 2-3), divine guidance ("Show me Your ways," vv. 4-5, "teach me Your paths," v. 9), forgiveness for past sins (vv. 6-7, 11), and vindication from those who hate him without cause (v. 19). Verse 14 is a pivot point, affirming a fundamental truth about God's character and how He interacts with His devoted followers, offering a foundational hope and assurance in the midst of his desperate plea for wisdom and intervention. It serves as a statement of divine privilege granted to those who truly honor God.
Psalm 25 14 Word analysis
- The secret: Hebrew סוֹד (sôḏ), referring not merely to a hidden fact, but to intimate counsel, close friendship, or a private circle. It implies deep familiarity, trusted communication, and shared confidences among intimates. It signifies the confidential plan or private thoughts of God that He chooses to reveal. This isn't just about knowing something, but being in a relational space where such knowledge is imparted.
- of the LORD: Hebrew יְהֹוָה (Yahweh), the personal, covenant name of God. This indicates that the secret is inherently divine and intimately linked to God's character and covenant faithfulness. It underscores that this "secret" is from the ultimate divine authority.
- is with them: Denotes a state of being in proximity, alliance, or partnership. It's not a fleeting visit, but an abiding presence and connection.
- that fear him: Hebrew יְרֵאִים (yᵉrēʾîm), from the root יָרֵא (yare'), meaning to fear, be afraid, or to stand in awe. In this context, "fear" does not imply terror or dread, but a reverential awe, deep respect, humility, and obedience. It encompasses a profound submission to God's authority and a desire to align one's life with His will. This fear is the opposite of presumptuousness or rebellion.
- and he will shew them: Hebrew יוֹדִיעֵם (yôḏîʿēm), from the root יָדַע (yada'), "to know" in a deep, experiential sense. The causative form "will cause them to know" or "make them understand." This is an act of divine revelation, not human discovery. God Himself takes the initiative to enlighten and disclose.
- his covenant: Hebrew בְרִיתוֹ (bᵉrîtô), from בְּרִית (berit), a solemn agreement, sacred pact, or testament, often involving mutual obligations and promises. God's covenant embodies His promises of blessing and redemption, along with the stipulations for relationship with Him. Knowing His covenant experientially means understanding its terms, living within its framework, and trusting in its faithfulness, especially God's grace and redemptive purposes.
- "The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him": This phrase highlights a divine exclusivity and a profound relational privilege. Only those who maintain a proper, reverent stance toward God are invited into His intimate counsel. It implies that true understanding of God's ways is predicated on a righteous, God-honoring life, rather than intellectual prowess alone.
- "and he will shew them his covenant": This shows the practical outworking of that intimacy. The content of God's "secret" for His people often concerns His covenant — His unfolding plan for humanity's salvation, His character as a covenant-keeping God, and the practical implications for walking with Him. It suggests that obedience and reverence are prerequisites for understanding the depth and richness of God's sacred pact.
Psalm 25 14 Bonus section
The "secret of the LORD" being accessible to those who fear Him indicates a spiritual wisdom or discernment (1 Cor 2:10-12) that is veiled from the unrighteous or arrogant. This concept aligns with the wisdom tradition in Proverbs, where the fear of the LORD is foundational to all knowledge and understanding. It implicitly presents a counter-narrative to worldly wisdom or reliance on human intellect alone, emphasizing that ultimate truth is divinely revealed. The covenant revealed is not just historical doctrine but an active, relational engagement by God, teaching His people the nuances of living in agreement with His will and benefiting from His promises. This verse encapsulates the theological truth that relationship with God is intrinsically tied to revelation from God.
Psalm 25 14 Commentary
Psalm 25:14 distills a profound truth: true spiritual understanding and intimacy with the Most High are not universally distributed but are gifts reserved for those who hold God in reverent awe. The "secret" (sôḏ) of the LORD speaks of His confidential counsel, His hidden plans, and the profound intimacy He shares with His faithful. This isn't information that can be gleaned through mere intellectual pursuit or human wisdom; it's a divine disclosure. The precondition for this divine confidence is "fearing Him"—a deeply respectful, worshipful, and obedient attitude towards God that leads to humility and a desire to conform to His will. As a result of this reverent relationship, God personally reveals and clarifies His "covenant," not just its historical terms, but its spiritual significance, its current implications, and its ultimate fulfillment. This understanding empowers the believer, deepening their faith and guiding their steps. It provides inner assurance and wisdom, crucial for navigating life's challenges, especially for someone like David facing distress, sin, and enemies. For believers, this means that as they humble themselves, obey God, and earnestly seek Him, He illuminates His purposes and His enduring commitment to them through His Son, Jesus Christ, in whom all God's covenant promises find their "Yes" and "Amen."