Psalms 25:20
O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
Original Language Analysis
שָׁמְרָ֣ה
O keep
H8104
שָׁמְרָ֣ה
O keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
נַ֭פְשִׁי
my soul
H5315
נַ֭פְשִׁי
my soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וְהַצִּילֵ֑נִי
and deliver
H5337
וְהַצִּילֵ֑נִי
and deliver
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
3 of 8
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
4 of 8
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
אֵ֝ב֗וֹשׁ
me let me not be ashamed
H954
אֵ֝ב֗וֹשׁ
me let me not be ashamed
Strong's:
H954
Word #:
5 of 8
properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 8
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Psalms 121:7The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.Acts 7:59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.Psalms 17:8Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,Psalms 86:2Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.Luke 23:46And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Historical Context
Throughout redemptive history, God preserved those who trusted Him—Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, the exiles. This track record encouraged believers to trust God's future faithfulness based on His past performance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does 'putting your trust in God' protect you from ultimate shame?
- What does it mean to ask God to 'keep your soul'?
Analysis & Commentary
The plea 'O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee' combines petition and profession. 'Keep my soul' asks for preservation; 'deliver me' asks for rescue. The reason given—'for I put my trust in thee'—is not meritorious but evidential: trust in God is both the means and evidence of salvation. Reformed theology sees perseverance: God keeps those who truly trust Him. Our trust doesn't earn preservation; rather, genuine trust evidences God's preserving work.