Psalm 25 3

Psalm 25:3 kjv

Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

Psalm 25:3 nkjv

Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.

Psalm 25:3 niv

No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.

Psalm 25:3 esv

Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Psalm 25:3 nlt

No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.

Psalm 25 verses

Psalm 25 3 Meaning

Psalm 25:3 declares with certainty that no one who trustingly waits for the Lord will ever be put to shame or disappointment. In stark contrast, those who act treacherously, breaking faith without cause, will themselves experience shame and disgrace. It proclaims divine justice: vindication for the faithful and righteous judgment for the perfidious.

Psalm 25 3 Context

Psalm 25 is an individual lament, prayer, and instruction, attributed to David. It is an acrostic psalm, with each verse beginning (though not perfectly maintained) with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. David is in a time of distress, seeking guidance, forgiveness, and deliverance from his enemies and his own transgressions. The psalm is characterized by deep trust in God’s character, confession of sin, pleas for protection from those who wrong him, and a longing for God’s instruction (His "ways" and "paths"). Verse 3 serves as a foundational declaration within this prayer, affirming God's faithfulness as a universal principle of justice. It offers comfort and reassurance to the psalmist (and to all who identify with his struggle) that despite current troubles and malicious adversaries, those who faithfully wait upon God will ultimately be vindicated, while their treacherous foes will face divine consequence.

Psalm 25 3 Word analysis

• Indeed (גַּם gam): This Hebrew particle acts as an emphatic "indeed," "also," or "surely," underscoring the absolute certainty of the statement that follows. It signals a universal truth being presented.
• none who wait for you (כׇּל־קֹוֶיךָ kol-qoviyka):
  • "none who" (כׇּל kol): Implies "all," encompassing every single individual. The promise applies universally to all who meet the condition.
  • "wait" (קָוָה qavah): This verb implies more than passive waiting. It signifies an active, hopeful expectation, a "binding together" oneself to God with unwavering trust and eager anticipation. It involves patiently enduring, relying, and looking forward to God's intervention, often in challenging circumstances. It conveys a deep sense of trust and dependence.
  • "for you" (לְךָ l'kha): Directly indicates that this trust and eager expectation are solely focused on God. It emphasizes reliance on divine power and character rather than on human means or personal strength.
• shall be put to shame (יֵבֹשׁ yevosh):
  • "be put to shame" (בּוּשׁ bush): In ancient cultures, shame was a deeply undesirable state involving public disgrace, humiliation, disappointment, and the dashing of hopes. To "be put to shame" means to have one's expectations confounded, one's hopes unfulfilled, and one's trust proven worthless. The verse assures that those who hope in God will not face this ultimate humiliation; their trust will be validated.
• they shall be ashamed (יֵבֹשׁוּ yevoshu): The verb is repeated from the previous phrase, but now as an active experience. The repetition intensifies the contrast and assures the reader that what is absent for the righteous will be directly experienced by the wicked. It also creates a sense of poetic justice.
• who are wantonly treacherous (בּוֹגְדִים בּוֹגֵד bog'dim):
  • "treacherous" (בָּגַד bagad): This root means to deal faithlessly, betray, or act perfidiously. It describes someone who breaks trust, violates an agreement or covenant, or acts disloyally.
  • "wantonly": While not explicitly a separate Hebrew word here, the context and the typical use of "bagad" often imply an unprovoked or unjustified act of betrayal, often committed out of malice or without valid reason. It emphasizes the arbitrary and intentional nature of their faithlessness. This indicates a deep moral failing—a breach of loyalty and covenant.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "none who wait for you" vs. "they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous": This is the core contrast of the verse. It pits active, trust-filled dependence on God against deliberate, faithless betrayal of trust (whether of God or others). The divine outcome directly reflects these two contrasting life orientations.
• "shall be put to shame" vs. "they shall be ashamed": The structure employs a chiastic parallelism (A-B, B'-A'). The absence of shame for the loyal (A-B: no shame for waiters) is sharply contrasted with the presence of shame for the disloyal (B'-A': shame for the treacherous). This rhetorical device powerfully emphasizes the certainty of the different fates awaiting the two groups, showcasing God's righteous judgment.

Psalm 25 3 Bonus section

The assurance of "no shame" for those who wait on the Lord in Psalm 25:3 is ultimately fulfilled and expanded upon in the New Testament with the advent of Christ. Believers in Jesus are guaranteed never to be put to shame because their hope is fixed on the resurrected Lord. His righteousness becomes theirs, guaranteeing their standing before God and the certainty of all His promises. The shame described for the treacherous often carries an eschatological dimension in the biblical narrative, pointing towards the final judgment where all secrets are revealed, and deeds are brought to light, resulting in everlasting contempt for those who rejected God's truth and continued in unrighteousness. Thus, this verse speaks not only to immediate vindication but also to the ultimate destiny of humanity based on their orientation towards God.

Psalm 25 3 Commentary

Psalm 25:3 provides a fundamental truth about God’s character and His interaction with humanity. It is a divine promise guaranteeing the ultimate vindication of those who choose to trust and patiently wait upon Him. "Waiting for the Lord" is not mere idleness but a posture of active faith, perseverance, and expectation in God's faithfulness and intervention. It acknowledges God's sovereignty and His timing. This verse reassures believers that their hope in God will never lead to disappointment, humiliation, or unfulfilled expectations. Their trust will be honored, and their integrity upheld by God Himself.

Conversely, the verse delivers a stern warning to those characterized by treachery. The Hebrew term implies a willful and unprovoked breach of trust or loyalty—a flagrant disregard for faithfulness. Such individuals, whose actions are driven by deceit and disloyalty, are assuredly headed for their own shame. This shame will not be imposed randomly, but it is a just consequence, a spiritual and often public reckoning, for their unfaithful dealings. This principle resonates throughout Scripture: those who sow treachery will reap disgrace, while those who plant trust in God will harvest vindication and honor. The verse serves as a profound comfort in times of trial and apparent injustice, asserting that God sees, God remembers, and God will ultimately judge.

Practical usage includes:

• Endurance: When difficulties arise or people act treacherously, remember to wait on God’s justice.
• Faith: Hold firm to your hope in Christ; it is not in vain and will not lead to ultimate disappointment.
• Integrity: Live with faithfulness and avoid any form of wanton treachery, knowing that shame is the destiny of those who break faith.