Psalm 25 20

Psalm 25:20 kjv

O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.

Psalm 25:20 nkjv

Keep my soul, and deliver me; Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.

Psalm 25:20 niv

Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

Psalm 25:20 esv

Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

Psalm 25:20 nlt

Protect me! Rescue my life from them!
Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge.

Psalm 25 verses

Psalm 25 20 Meaning

Psalm 25:20 is a heartfelt prayer to God, requesting divine preservation of the supplicant's very being and immediate deliverance from present troubles. The basis for this urgent plea is the unwavering, confident reliance and trust placed solely in God, asserting that such trust must not result in disappointment or public disgrace. It signifies a profound dependence on the Almighty for total well-being and vindication.

Psalm 25 20 Context

Psalm 25 is an acrostic psalm (though some letters are omitted or repeated), attributed to David. It is a profound prayer characterized by lament, repentance, supplication for guidance, and an earnest petition for deliverance from adversaries and the consequences of sin. David expresses his profound distress, likely facing external enemies and burdened by past transgressions (v. 7). The psalm is a cycle of appeals for divine instruction (v. 4-5), mercy for sin (v. 7, 11), protection from shame (v. 2-3), and deliverance from foes (v. 19). Verse 20 comes amidst an intense cluster of urgent pleas (v. 19-22), affirming David's unwavering trust in God despite his afflictions and justifying his request for God's immediate and continued intervention. The plea for not being ashamed ties directly to his previous declarations of trust in God throughout the psalm.

Psalm 25 20 Word analysis

• "Keep" (שָׁמַר, shamar): This Hebrew verb denotes an active and diligent guarding, preserving, watching over, or protecting. It implies continuous vigilance to ensure safety and integrity. In this context, David requests God to sustain his very existence and well-being.
• "my soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh): This term refers to more than just the spirit; it denotes the whole person, the entire life, self, or being, including thoughts, desires, and emotions. David is praying for the preservation of his complete being—from physical danger, mental distress, and spiritual ruin.
• "and deliver me" (וְהַצִּילֵנִי, w'hatzileini): "Deliver" (הִצִּיל, hitzil) means to rescue, snatch away, extricate, or set free from danger, oppression, or an enemy's grasp. It signifies a specific, active intervention to remove from immediate peril. Coupled with "keep," it requests both ongoing protection and targeted rescue.
• "let me not be ashamed" (אַל אֵב֤וֹשׁ, 'al 'evosh): "Ashamed" (בּוּשׁ, bush) means to be disappointed, confounded, put to disgrace, or brought to public humiliation. In a culture centered on honor, to be put to shame meant that one's hope was vain, one's trust misplaced, or one's claims invalidated. Here, David pleads for God to vindicate his faith publicly, preventing any appearance that his reliance on the Lord was in vain.
• "for I put my trust" (כִּ֥י חָסִֽיתִי, ki chasiti): "Trust" (חָסָה, chasah) describes a profound reliance, seeking refuge, shelter, or sanctuary. It signifies taking refuge under the protective wing of another, committing oneself confidently to their care. The preceding particle "כִּ֥י" (ki), meaning "for" or "because," explicitly states the firm foundation for his petition: his confident, ongoing act of taking refuge in God alone.
• "in thee" (בָּךְ, bach): This specifies God as the sole object of David's trust. It underscores the exclusivity of his reliance, differentiating it from placing trust in human power, idols, or worldly means.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Keep my soul, and deliver me": This phrase represents a comprehensive and urgent petition. "Keep my soul" speaks to sustained, internal preservation, covering all aspects of his life. "And deliver me" addresses the immediate, external threats requiring direct divine intervention and rescue from his troubles or adversaries. Together, they articulate a complete reliance on God for his entire well-being.
• "let me not be ashamed": This plea is about vindication and reputation. It's a prayer that his unwavering trust in God would be openly affirmed and rewarded, preventing any perception (especially from enemies) that God has abandoned him or that his faith was foolish. It speaks to the integrity of God's character and covenant faithfulness, as His servant's disgrace would diminish His own glory.
• "for I put my trust in thee": This concluding clause provides the rationale and the foundational claim for David's petition. It highlights the principle that those who genuinely rely on God should expect His protection and intervention. This declaration is both a statement of personal faith and an appeal to God's covenant promises to those who seek refuge in Him, making the prayer not a demand but a faith-filled assertion of divine character.

Psalm 25 20 Bonus section

The strong correlation between "trusting in the Lord" and "not being ashamed" is a major theological theme repeated throughout Scripture (e.g., Isa 28:16, 49:23; Rom 9:33, 10:11; 1 Pet 2:6). This connection emphasizes God's consistent character as faithful and true; He always honors the faith placed in Him. A prayer like Psalm 25:20 is not just a personal plea but implicitly also an appeal to God's own glory, that His name be magnified through His preservation and deliverance of His trusting servant. The acrostic structure of Psalm 25, starting each verse with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet (though imperfectly in this Psalm), often indicates a desire for completeness or an aid to memorization, signifying a thorough and meditative prayer.

Psalm 25 20 Commentary

Psalm 25:20 is a quintessential prayer demonstrating the intertwinement of faith and petition. David's plea for preservation and deliverance is not presumptuous but grounded in a confessed, active reliance on God. The concept of "not being ashamed" is crucial; it underscores that God's honor is tied to His faithful dealings with those who truly trust Him. If a believer's hope in God leads to disappointment and disgrace, it impugns God's faithfulness. Therefore, David's prayer appeals to God's very nature and integrity, asserting that one who takes refuge in Him must be vindicated. This verse reassures believers that when they genuinely lean on God in times of trouble, they can confidently expect His intervention and ultimately, their faith will prove justified, leading to salvation, not shame.

Examples for practical usage:

• Praying this verse when facing a situation where your integrity or faith is publicly challenged, asking for God to vindicate you.
• Reciting it when experiencing overwhelming distress or danger, reaffirming your sole dependence on God for rescue and ongoing protection.
• Using it as an affirmation in moments of doubt, reminding yourself that because your trust is in God, you will not ultimately be put to shame by life's circumstances.