Psalm 25:7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.
Context: Psalm 25:1-6 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. 3Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 4Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. 5Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. 6Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
From the lexicon: Remember=be mindful. Sin=sin offering. Youth=early life. Transgressions=rebellion, breach of trust. Mercy=goodness.
In other words: Psalm 25:7 Lord, don’t keep in mind the things I have done in the past—those I’ve made offering for and those of rebellion toward You. Instead, I pray, be mindful of me according to Your goodness.
Pulling it together: Psalm 25 is a prayer to God pledging faith and trust in Him and pleading for His intervention in the psalmist’s life. He states his devotion as he calls on God. “Make me to know your ways (v.4)”. “Teach me Your paths (v.4)” and “lead me in Your truth (v.5)”. But amidst this he realizes his failures. Devotion alone cannot make up for our failures.
We are no different than the psalmist. We fail as well. At least we want to say simply that these are just mistakes. But the truth is God calls them rebellion for that is what they are. Yet we can come to Him looking for mercy as He forgives confessed sin (1John 1:9). And with the psalmist, we can claim the promise that He will remember not our sins for they that have been settled by the blood of Christ.
Lord, I pray for grace. For Your mercy and kindness in my life. I thank You and praise You for bringing this to me when Jesus died at Calvary for my sins.