Psalms 25:20

Authorized King James Version

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

Word-by-Word Analysis

שָׁמְרָ֣ה

H8104

O keep

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

נַ֭פְשִׁי

H5315

my soul

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

וְהַצִּילֵ֑נִי

H5337

and deliver

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

אַל

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

אֵ֝ב֗וֹשׁ

H954

me let me not be ashamed

properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed

כִּֽי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

חָסִ֥יתִי

H2620

for I put my trust

to flee for protection; figuratively, to confide in

בָֽךְ׃

Analysis

The worship and praise theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern poetry and hymnic literature for worship shapes this text's meaning. Israel's liturgical traditions developed through centuries of temple worship and personal devotion Understanding a worldview centered on covenant relationship between God and His people helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of worship and praise, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?
How does the worship and praise theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this verse's literary context within Psalms chapter 25 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?