Psalm 25 2

Psalm 25:2 kjv

O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

Psalm 25:2 nkjv

O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me.

Psalm 25:2 niv

I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.

Psalm 25:2 esv

O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.

Psalm 25:2 nlt

I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced,
or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.

Psalm 25 verses

Psalm 25 2 Meaning

Psalm 25:2 expresses a profound and personal declaration of trust in God. The psalmist appeals to God as "my God," affirming a unique, covenant relationship. This deep reliance on God is accompanied by an earnest prayer that this trust will not prove to be vain, leading to public disgrace or personal disappointment. Central to the plea is the fervent desire that adversaries would not be allowed to gloat over the psalmist's misfortune or perceived failure, thus vindicating the steadfast faithfulness of the Almighty in whom he trusts.

Psalm 25 2 Context

Psalm 25 is an acrostic psalm, with each verse (or pairs of verses) beginning with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This literary device emphasizes completeness and order, perhaps signifying the psalmist’s earnest and comprehensive plea before God. It is a psalm of David, marked by personal supplication for guidance, forgiveness, and protection amidst distress and enemies. The psalmist confesses sin, seeks instruction in God's ways, and pleads for mercy due to his vulnerable position. Verse 2 specifically grounds the subsequent petitions in an initial, foundational declaration of absolute trust in the divine, setting the tone for a dependence on God in the face of shame and adversarial threat. The historical context reflects a life constantly under threat and often subject to public scrutiny, making the concepts of shame and triumph particularly poignant for a leader like David.

Psalm 25 2 Word analysis

• O my God (אֱלֹהַי - Elohai): This is the vocative form of 'Elohim' with the first person singular possessive suffix, meaning "my God." It signifies a deeply personal, intimate, and exclusive relationship. It's not just "God," but my God, highlighting a covenant bond and personal devotion that forms the basis of the trust declared. This direct address underscores the personal nature of the prayer and its unique appeal.

• in You (בּךָ - bekha): The preposition 'in' (בְּ - be) combined with the second person masculine singular suffix 'You' (ךָ - kha). This emphasizes that the trust is directed specifically and entirely to God, not in self, circumstances, or human alliances. It denotes complete reliance upon or within God's character and power.

• I trust (בָטַחְתִּי - baṭaḥti): From the Hebrew root בטח (b-t-ch), meaning to trust, feel secure, rely, or lean on. The verb is in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action with ongoing results or a settled state. This is not a future intent but an established reality—"I have trusted and therefore continue to trust." It implies a confident and unswerving placement of dependence and hope, conveying a deep inner conviction and reliance.

• Let me not be ashamed (אַל־אֵבוֹשָׁה - al-evoshah):

  • Let me not (אַל־ - al-): A prohibitive particle, conveying a strong negative plea or command.
  • be ashamed (אֵבוֹשָׁה - evoshah): From the root בוש (b-w-sh), meaning to be put to shame, confounded, disgraced, or disappointed. In the context of trust, it refers to the deep humiliation experienced when one's reliance proves vain or ineffective. If God were to fail, the psalmist's trust would be revealed as foolish, bringing public reproach. The plea is for God to uphold His faithfulness and prevent such disgrace, thereby vindicating the psalmist’s confidence. It refers to a public sense of dishonor or a feeling of utter disappointment.

• Let not my enemies triumph over me (אַל־יַעַלְצוּ אֹיְבַי לִי - al-yaʿaltzu oyvay li):

  • Let not (אַל־ - al-): Again, the prohibitive particle, reinforcing the urgent plea.
  • my enemies (אֹיְבַי - oyvay): From the root איב (a-y-b), "to be hostile." The possessive suffix indicates personal adversaries.
  • triumph over me (יַעַלְצוּ לִי - yaʿaltzu li): From the root עלץ (ʿ-l-ṣ), meaning to exult, rejoice, gloat, or triumph. It describes the arrogant and often cruel delight of an adversary witnessing another's downfall. The psalmist fears that his apparent downfall, or God's perceived failure to deliver, would provide an occasion for his enemies to mock and discredit his faith, and by extension, God's power and faithfulness. The phrase "over me" (לִי - li) denotes the direction of their gloating, making it a personal humiliation. This public aspect is significant in ancient honor-shame cultures.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "O my God, in You I trust": This phrase is a powerful declaration of radical, singular devotion and reliance. It immediately establishes the foundation of the psalmist’s prayer—a deeply personal relationship with the all-powerful, covenant-keeping God. It positions the believer not in self-reliance but in total dependence, an assertion of unwavering faith even amidst unknown future outcomes.
  • "Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me": These two petitions are intimately linked. The shame the psalmist fears is primarily due to the failure of his trust in God appearing to be unfounded. If God does not deliver, his trust seems foolish, and his enemies will seize the opportunity to mock both him and his God. Thus, preventing enemy triumph is a direct means of preventing shame, vindicating both the believer's trust and God's faithfulness. This expresses a desire for God's glory to be seen in His steadfast love and protection, highlighting that the believer's personal honor is tied to God's public reputation.

Psalm 25 2 Bonus section

• The double use of the prohibitive particle "אַל־" (al-) "let not" underscores the urgency and earnestness of David's plea. It is not a casual wish but a fervent cry from a desperate heart, pleading with God for active intervention.
• The desire "not to be ashamed" is a recurring theme in the Psalms and prophetic literature, linking true faith with ultimate vindication and glorification, while idolatry and misplaced trust lead to confusion and disgrace. This stands in stark contrast to reliance on false gods or human power, which inevitably disappoint.
• This verse provides a crucial paradigm for prayer: a bold declaration of faith precedes fervent supplication. It affirms that our petitions should stem from an established confidence in who God is and what He has promised.
• The enemies mentioned are not just personal adversaries, but often symbolize spiritual opposition or those who mock faith itself. Thus, their triumph would be a setback not just for the individual, but for the testimony of God's power in the world.

Psalm 25 2 Commentary

Psalm 25:2 opens a heartfelt prayer with a declarative statement of faith, "O my God, in You I trust." This is not a tentative hope, but a firm, settled conviction. The use of "my God" deepens the appeal, establishing a personal, covenantal relationship as the basis for the psalmist’s plea. This trust implies a complete dependence on God's character—His power, faithfulness, and lovingkindness—rather than on personal strength or external circumstances.

The subsequent double plea, "Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me," flows directly from this declaration of trust. In the ancient world, shame was a devastating social and spiritual state, often linked to public disgrace or the disappointment of expectations. For the psalmist, being "ashamed" would mean that his faith in God was revealed as futile, subjecting him to the derision of his adversaries. Their "triumph" would be the ultimate vindication of their hostile skepticism and a mockery of the God whom the psalmist serves. Therefore, the prayer is not merely for personal comfort but for the vindication of God's honor and the reliability of His promises, publicly demonstrated by His protective deliverance. This verse teaches us that genuine trust in God calls for His intervention not only for our sake but for His own glory, preventing the enemies of truth from scoffing at His sovereignty and love.