Psalm 25 9

Psalm 25:9 kjv

The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

Psalm 25:9 nkjv

The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way.

Psalm 25:9 niv

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

Psalm 25:9 esv

He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

Psalm 25:9 nlt

He leads the humble in doing right,
teaching them his way.

Psalm 25 verses

Psalm 25 9 Meaning

Psalm 25:9 profoundly states God's special favor towards the humble and teachable. It reveals a dual divine action: God actively guides the humble in accordance with His righteous standards and principles ("in justice"), and He personally instructs them in the path they should follow, unveiling His divine will and character ("His way"). This verse underscores that humility is a prerequisite for receiving God's leading and learning His truths, illustrating God's covenant faithfulness to those who depend on Him.

Psalm 25 9 Context

Psalm 25 is a prayer by David, characterized by its acrostic structure (though imperfect), where each verse (or couplet) begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is a psalm of supplication, expressing a profound dependence on God amidst distress and facing enemies. David cries out for divine guidance, protection from shame and adversaries, and especially for forgiveness of his sins. The psalm moves between themes of trust in God's mercy and covenant, confession of sin, and petition for deliverance. Verse 9 fits within David's larger request for God to show him His ways and teach him His paths (Ps 25:4-5), underscoring that God reveals His truth specifically to those with a humble and receptive spirit. Historically, David, though a king, often displayed a heart of humility before God, acknowledging his own dependence and seeking divine instruction, particularly during times of intense personal or national crisis.

Psalm 25 9 Word analysis

• He leads (יַדְרֵךְ - yadrekh): This is from the root דָּרַךְ (darakh), meaning to tread, lead, or guide. It implies setting one's path, directing, or showing the way. Here, it denotes God's active involvement in establishing and steering the lives of His people. The divine initiative is central.
• the humble (עֲנָוִים - anavim): This term is plural for `anaw`, which can mean "afflicted," "poor," "meek," or "humble." It refers not just to socio-economic status, but to those who are lowly or dependent before God, who acknowledge their spiritual need and utter reliance on Him. They are teachable and submissive to God's will, in contrast to the proud and self-sufficient.
• in justice (בְּמִשְׁפָּט - be'mishpat): Mishpat refers to justice, judgment, right, or righteous ordinance. It can mean God leads them according to His own righteous character and principles, ensuring what is morally right and fair. Alternatively, it can mean He leads them in the way of justice, empowering them to live righteously and make just decisions, or instructing them in the demands of righteousness.
• and teaches (וַיְלַמֵּד - vay'lammed): From the root לָמַד (lamad), meaning to learn or to teach. In the hiphil stem, as here, it signifies causing to learn, instructing, or training. This implies an active, intentional process of divine instruction, where God imparts understanding, wisdom, and moral direction.
• his way (דַּרְכּוֹ - darko): From derekh, meaning path, road, or way. It denotes God's statutes, commandments, the course of action He prescribes for humanity, or His own character and modes of operation. To learn "His way" is to understand and embody His divine will and live according to His established truths.

Word-groups analysis

• "He leads the humble in justice": This phrase establishes God as the guide and director. It identifies the anavim as the specific recipients of this guidance. The leading is characterized by "justice," signifying that God's direction is always upright, righteous, and fair, consistent with His character. It suggests that the path He sets for them is not only morally right but also in their ultimate best interest, reflecting His equitable rule.
• "and teaches the humble his way": This second clause parallels the first, emphasizing God's role as the divine instructor. It reiterates that the humble are the beneficiaries. The content of the teaching is "His way," encompassing His commands, principles, and wisdom. This instruction is essential for them to understand how to navigate life, to live pleasing to Him, and to understand His divine purposes and character more fully. The combination highlights both divine guidance (action) and divine instruction (knowledge).

Psalm 25 9 Bonus section

• The Person of Christ: Jesus Christ is the ultimate embodiment of "the humble." He came not to be served but to serve (Mk 10:45), and perfectly exemplified humility and obedience to God's way. He taught His disciples God's way (John 14:6; 7:16-17) and led them in righteousness. Through Him, God's way and justice are most clearly revealed and actualized.
• The Holy Spirit's Role: In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit takes on the primary role of leading believers "in justice" and teaching "His way." He guides into all truth (John 16:13), brings to remembrance Christ's teachings (John 14:26), and convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8), effectively instructing in God's just principles and divine paths.
• A Continuous Process: God's leading and teaching of the humble is not a one-time event but a continuous, lifelong process. As believers grow in humility, they become increasingly sensitive to the Spirit's leading and more apt pupils of God's Word, ensuring ongoing spiritual growth and conformity to God's will.
• Contrasts with Worldly Wisdom: The verse subtly contrasts God's method of teaching with worldly approaches. Worldly wisdom often values intellectual prowess, self-assertion, and independence. God's wisdom, however, is bestowed upon those who humble themselves and recognize their dependence, showing that true wisdom originates from acknowledging God and His ways, not human cleverness.

Psalm 25 9 Commentary

Psalm 25:9 succinctly captures a profound truth about God's nature and His relationship with humanity. God, in His sovereign authority and wisdom, chooses to specially guide and educate those who recognize their own insufficiency and depend entirely on Him – the humble, or anavim. This humility is not self-abasement in the modern sense but a recognition of one's place before a holy God, leading to receptivity and obedience.

God's leadership is qualified by "justice" (mishpat), meaning His guidance aligns perfectly with His righteous character and His established moral order. He does not lead them astray but into paths that are upright and true. This guidance also entails equipping the humble to live justly themselves. Parallel to His leading, God actively "teaches" them. This teaching is a revelation of "His way" – the totality of His revealed will, His moral standards, His truths, and the very path He desires His people to walk. This divine instruction is accessible specifically to those whose hearts are prepared through humility, as pride hardens the heart against God's voice, but humility opens it to receive divine wisdom. The verse illustrates that walking in God's path and understanding His truth is not primarily an intellectual pursuit but a spiritual one, requiring a disposition of meekness and submission to God's authority.