Psalms 25:15
Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The imagery of nets and snares appears frequently in Psalms and wisdom literature. Psalm 9:15: "the heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken." Psalm 31:4: "Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me." Proverbs 29:6: "In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare." These metaphors described real dangers: enemy plots, false accusations, military ambush, political conspiracy.
David experienced literal nets—Saul's repeated attempts to trap and kill him, Absalom's conspiracy that temporarily drove David from Jerusalem, various enemies who sought his destruction. The psalm's confidence reflects tested faith—God had delivered David repeatedly from seemingly inescapable situations. First Samuel 26:24: "And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation."
The phrase "eyes toward the LORD" echoes the priestly blessing: "The LORD make his face shine upon thee" (Numbers 6:25) and Psalm 123:2: "as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters...so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us." This posture of watchful dependence characterized Israel's covenant relationship.
Jesus later taught similar principles: "If thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light" (Matthew 6:22). Hebrews 12:2 commands: "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." The focused attention David practiced anticipates Christian discipleship's call to fix eyes on Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean practically to have your eyes 'ever toward the LORD,' and what competes for your attention and focus?
- How does sustained focus on God (present practice) relate to confidence in His deliverance (future expectation)?
- What 'nets' or traps do you currently face, and how does trusting God to pluck you out differ from trusting your own ability to escape?
- Why is the covenant name (LORD/Yahweh) significant here—how does God's proven faithfulness in history ground confidence for future deliverance?
- How does fixing your eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) fulfill David's practice of keeping eyes toward the LORD?
Analysis & Commentary
Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. This verse expresses both continuous spiritual focus (eyes toward the LORD) and confident expectation of deliverance (he shall pluck my feet out). The imagery shifts from vision to entrapment, from present posture to future rescue.
"Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD" (einai tamid el-Yahweh, עֵינַי תָּמִיד אֶל־יְהוָה) uses tamid (תָּמִיד), meaning continually, perpetually, always. This isn't occasional glancing at God but sustained focus—the constant orientation of life toward God's presence and will. Eyes represent attention, desire, and hope. Where we look indicates what we value and trust.
The covenant name Yahweh emphasizes personal relationship. David's eyes aren't toward generic deity but toward the specific God who revealed Himself to Israel, who made covenant promises, who demonstrated faithful love through mighty acts. This is relational trust, not religious duty.
"For he shall pluck my feet out of the net" (ki-hu yotzi mereshet raglai, כִּי־הוּא יוֹצִיא מֵרֶשֶׁת רַגְלָי) provides the reason for sustained focus. Yatza (יָצָא) means to bring out, deliver, rescue. The future tense expresses confident expectation—not "he might" but "he shall" pluck out. This is faith in God's promised deliverance.
"The net" (reshet, רֶשֶׁת) refers to hunting nets or traps used to catch birds and animals. Metaphorically, it represents dangers, plots of enemies, circumstances that entrap. Psalm 124:7: "Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped." The image suggests helplessness—once trapped, the bird cannot free itself. Only external intervention can bring deliverance. David's confidence rests not in his ability to avoid or escape nets but in God's power to pluck him out when entrapped.