New English Translation
7 Do not hold against me[a] the sins of my youth[b] or my rebellious acts.
Because you are faithful to me, extend to me your favor, O Lord.[c]
8 The Lord is both kind and fair;[d]
that is why he teaches sinners the right way to live.[e]
9 May he show[f] the humble what is right.[g]
May he teach[h] the humble his way.
- Psalm 25:7 tn Heb “do not remember,” with the intention of punishing.
- Psalm 25:7 sn That is, the sins characteristic of youths, who lack moral discretion and wisdom.
- Psalm 25:7 tn Heb “according to your faithfulness, remember me, you, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.”
- Psalm 25:8 tn Heb “good and just.”
- Psalm 25:8 tn Heb “teaches sinners in the way.”
- Psalm 25:9 tn The prefixed verbal form is jussive; the psalmist expresses his prayer.
- Psalm 25:9 tn Heb “may he guide the humble into justice.” The Hebrew term עֲנָוִים (ʿanavim, “humble”) usually refers to the oppressed, but in this context, where the psalmist confesses his sin and asks for moral guidance, it apparently refers to sinners who humble themselves before God and seek deliverance from their sinful condition.
- Psalm 25:9 tn The prefixed verbal form is interpreted as a jussive (it stands parallel to the jussive form, “may he guide”).