Psalms 25:5

Authorized King James Version

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Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

Original Language Analysis

הַדְרִ֘יכֵ֤נִי Lead H1869
הַדְרִ֘יכֵ֤נִי Lead
Strong's: H1869
Word #: 1 of 11
to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)
בַאֲמִתֶּ֨ךָ׀ me in thy truth H571
בַאֲמִתֶּ֨ךָ׀ me in thy truth
Strong's: H571
Word #: 2 of 11
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
וְֽלַמְּדֵ֗נִי and teach H3925
וְֽלַמְּדֵ֗נִי and teach
Strong's: H3925
Word #: 3 of 11
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 4 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אַ֭תָּה H859
אַ֭תָּה
Strong's: H859
Word #: 5 of 11
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
אֱלֹהֵ֣י me for thou art the God H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י me for thou art the God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 6 of 11
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׁעִ֑י of my salvation H3468
יִשְׁעִ֑י of my salvation
Strong's: H3468
Word #: 7 of 11
liberty, deliverance, prosperity
אוֹתְךָ֥ H854
אוֹתְךָ֥
Strong's: H854
Word #: 8 of 11
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
קִ֝וִּ֗יתִי on thee do I wait H6960
קִ֝וִּ֗יתִי on thee do I wait
Strong's: H6960
Word #: 9 of 11
to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 10 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיּֽוֹם׃ all the day H3117
הַיּֽוֹם׃ all the day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 11 of 11
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

Cross References

Proverbs 8:34Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.Psalms 25:10All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.Isaiah 30:18And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.Revelation 7:17For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.John 14:26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.John 16:13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.Psalms 119:66Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.Psalms 79:9Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.Psalms 88:1O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:1 John 2:27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Analysis & Commentary

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. This verse intensifies the previous petition, adding urgency and comprehensive dependence on God. The structure moves from request (lead, teach) to reason (God of salvation) to posture (waiting all day).

"Lead me" (hadrikheni, הַדְרִיכֵנִי) comes from darak (דָּרַךְ), meaning to tread, march, or guide. The causative form means "cause me to walk" or "guide me." This isn't passive following but active guidance—God as shepherd directing the path, as commander leading troops, as father teaching a child to walk. It assumes both God's active involvement and the psalmist's responsive obedience.

"In thy truth" (be'amittekha, בַּאֲמִתֶּךָ) uses emet (אֱמֶת), meaning truth, faithfulness, reliability, stability. God's truth is not abstract proposition but reliable reality—what is ultimately real and trustworthy. To be led in God's truth means walking in reality as God defines it, aligned with what is genuinely and eternally true rather than temporary appearances or cultural opinions.

"For thou art the God of my salvation" (Elohei yish'i, אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׁעִי) provides the theological foundation for this petition. Yesha (יֶשַׁע) means salvation, deliverance, rescue. God is not merely a potential savior but MY salvation—personal, possessed, experienced. This is why David can confidently ask for guidance; the God who saved him will surely guide him.

"On thee do I wait all the day" (kal-hayom qivitikha, כָּל־הַיּוֹם קִוִּיתִיךָ) expresses sustained, continuous hope and expectation. Qavah (קָוָה) means to wait, hope, expect with confident anticipation. "All the day" emphasizes that this isn't momentary petition but constant posture—morning to evening, consistently throughout life, the psalmist maintains hopeful expectation toward God.

Historical Context

The concept of God's "truth" (emet) is central to Old Testament theology. When Moses asked to see God's glory, God proclaimed His name: "the LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth" (Exodus 34:6). Truth is part of God's essential character, inseparable from His being.

Jesus later declared: "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), embodying the truth David sought. John's Gospel emphasizes that truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17), grace and truth together. The Holy Spirit is called "the Spirit of truth" (John 14:17, 15:26, 16:13), who guides believers into all truth.

David's patient waiting contrasts with Saul's impulsive actions. When facing Philistine threat, Saul couldn't wait for Samuel and offered sacrifice himself, resulting in God's rejection (1 Samuel 13:8-14). David learned to wait on God's timing—whether waiting years between anointing and kingship, or waiting for God to deal with Saul rather than taking vengeance himself.

The posture of waiting appears throughout Psalms. Psalm 27:14: "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart." Psalm 37:7: "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him." Isaiah 40:31: "They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength." This waiting is not passive resignation but active, hopeful expectation of God's intervention.

Questions for Reflection