“No, sir, I cannot comprehend it. If I could comprehend it, he would be no greater than I. I need a superhuman Savior.”

 In Psalm 25, David needs a “superhuman Savior.”

 “O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me” (v 2, ESV).

 In Psalm 25, David needs a “superhuman Savior.”  “O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me” (v 2, ESV).  “Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you” (vv 19-20, ESV).

 In Psalm 25, David needs a “superhuman Savior.”  David was often surrounded by enemies.

 In Psalm 25, David needs a “superhuman Savior.”  David was often surrounded by enemies.  Saul often tried to kill David.

 In Psalm 25, David needs a “superhuman Savior.”  David was often surrounded by enemies.  Saul often tried to kill David.  After Saul’s death, “there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David” (2 Sm 3:1, ESV).

 In Psalm 25, David needs a “superhuman Savior.”  David was often surrounded by enemies.  Saul often tried to kill David.  After Saul’s death, “there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David” (2 Sm 3:1, ESV).  “When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David” (2 Sm 5:17, ESV).

 In Psalm 25, David needs a “superhuman Savior.”  David was often surrounded by enemies.  Saul often tried to kill David.  After Saul’s death, “there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David” (2 Sm 3:1, ESV).  “When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David” (2 Sm 5:17, ESV).  David was a man of war.

Psalm 25— “The God Who Saves”

Psalm 25:1-10

A SHAMELESS SAVIOR A SHEPHERDING SAVIOR A SHEDDING SAVIOR

A SHAMELESS SAVIOR vv 1-3

 “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. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous” (vv 1-3, ESV).

 David asks the Lord to be “A Shameless Savior”—to keep him from shame.

 To the LORD, David lifts up his soul.

 “Lift up one’s soul” means to desire greatly.

 To the LORD, David lifts up his soul.  “Lift up one’s soul” means to desire greatly.  The idiom is used for “greedy.”

 To the LORD, David lifts up his soul.  “Lift up one’s soul” means to desire greatly.  The idiom is used for “greedy”: “They feed on the sin of my people; they are greedy for their iniquity” (Hos 4:8, ESV).

 To the LORD, David lifts up his soul.  “Lift up one’s soul” means to desire greatly.  The idiom is used for “greedy”: “They feed on the sin of my people; they are greedy for their iniquity” (Hos 4:8, ESV).  The idiom is used for “long for.”

 To the LORD, David lifts up his soul.  “Lift up one’s soul” means to desire greatly.  The idiom is used for “greedy”: “They feed on the sin of my people; they are greedy for their iniquity” (Hos 4:8, ESV).  The idiom is used for “long for”: “None of the remnant of Judah who have come to live in the land of Egypt shall escape or survive or return to the land of Judah, to which they desire to return to dwell there” (Jer 44:14, ESV).

 To the LORD, David lifts up his soul.  “Lift up one’s soul” means to desire greatly.  David is greatly longing for God.

 Why would David long for God to come to his aid?

 David understands that only God can save him from shame.

 Why would David long for God to come to his aid?  David understands that only God can save him from shame.  Perhaps David is suffering because of his sin.

 Why would David long for God to come to his aid?  David understands that only God can save him from shame.  Perhaps David is suffering because of his sin: “Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions” (v 7, ESV).

 Why would David long for God to come to his aid?  David understands that only God can save him from shame.  Perhaps David is suffering because of his sin: “Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions” (v 7, ESV).  Even if David isn’t suffering because of sin, he understands that only God can help him.

 Why would David long for God to come to his aid?  David understands that only God can save him from shame.  Only God can conquer enemies.

 Why would David long for God to come to his aid?  David understands that only God can save him from shame.  Only God can conquer enemies: “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent” (Ex 14:13-14, ESV).

 David asks the Lord to save him from shame.

 “Shame” here refers to the public humiliation of false trusts.

 David asks the Lord to save him from shame.  “Shame” here refers to the public humiliation of false trusts.  If God does nothing, David will be shamed for trusting in him.

But God is “ A Shameless Savior ” & doesn’t allow his people to come to shame.

How do we apply this today?

 There are great enemies of God in this age.

 But, our “Shameless Savior” will save us from shame.

 There are great enemies of God in this age.  But, our “Shameless Savior” will save us from shame.  “The Lord declares, the LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: ‘Ah, I will get relief from my enemies and avenge myself on my foes’” (Is 1:24, ESV).

 There are great enemies of God in this age.  But, our “Shameless Savior” will save us from shame.  Is 1:24.  “Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn” (Mt 13:30, ESV).

Do you have a “ Shameless Savior ”?

Or, will the Lord bring fury & shame upon you?

A Shepherding Savior vv 4-5, 8-9

 David asks the Lord to be his “Shepherding Savior”—to lead him in right paths.

 “Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long” (vv 4-5, ESV).

 The implication is that David didn’t have all the answers.

 In today’s world, that is a difficult realization.

 The implication is that David didn’t have all the answers.  In today’s world, that is a difficult realization.  Yet, man doesn’t know what’s right on his own.

 The implication is that David didn’t have all the answers.  In today’s world, that is a difficult realization.  Yet, man doesn’t know what’s right on his own.  Human ways are evil.

 The implication is that David didn’t have all the answers.  In today’s world, that is a difficult realization.  Yet, man doesn’t know what’s right on his own.  Human ways are evil: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one” (Rom 3:10-12, ESV).

 The implication is that David didn’t have all the answers.  In today’s world, that is a difficult realization.  Yet, man doesn’t know what’s right on his own.  Human ways are evil: Rom 3:  Human wisdom cannot be compared to divine wisdom.

 The implication is that David didn’t have all the answers.  In today’s world, that is a difficult realization.  Yet, man doesn’t know what’s right on his own.  Human ways are evil: Rom 3:  Human wisdom cannot be compared to divine wisdom: “Claiming to be wise, they became fools” (Rom 1:22, ESV).

 David wants God to shepherd him, for he is the God of his salvation.

 How would David be saved from his enemies by knowing God’s way?

 David wants God to shepherd him, for he is the God of his salvation.  How would David be saved from his enemies by knowing God’s way?  God has always saved those who did right & vanquished those who did wrong.

 David wants God to shepherd him, for he is the God of his salvation.  How would David be saved from his enemies by knowing God’s way?  God has always saved those who did right & vanquished those who did wrong.  Remember Ai?

 By paying attention to the “Shepherding Savior,” we can have a great salvation.

 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Mt 7:21, ESV).

 By paying attention to the “Shepherding Savior,” we can have a great salvation.  “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Mt 7:21, ESV).  “From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Tm 3:15, ESV).

 What makes God qualified to be a “Shepherding Savior”?

 “Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way” (vv 8-9, ESV).

 What makes God qualified to be a “Shepherding Savior”?  “Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way” (vv 8-9, ESV).  Because of his moral perfection, God can instruct sinners in his way.

 What makes God qualified to be a “Shepherding Savior”?  “Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way” (vv 8-9, ESV).  Because of his moral perfection, God can instruct sinners in his way.  God is absolutely holy.

 What makes God qualified to be a “Shepherding Savior”?  “Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way” (vv 8-9, ESV).  Because of his moral perfection, God can instruct sinners in his way.  God is absolutely holy.  “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Is 6:3, ESV).

 What makes God qualified to be a “Shepherding Savior”?  “Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way” (vv 8-9, ESV).  Because of his moral perfection, God can instruct sinners in his way.  God is absolutely holy.  Is 6:3.  “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 Jn 1:5, ESV).

Are you allowing God to be your “ Shepherding Savior ”?

A Shedding Savior vv 6-7, 10

 David asks the Lord to be a “Shedding Savior” & to remove his sins.

 “Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!” (vv 6- 7, ESV).

 David wants God to remember his mercy & steadfast love.

 “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Ex 34:6-7, ESV).

 David wants God to remember his mercy & steadfast love.  “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Ex 34:6-7, ESV).  David now asks God to apply that promise to him.

 David wants God to remember his mercy & steadfast love.  God’s mercy is that part of his character that wants to help man.

 David wants God to remember his mercy & steadfast love.  God’s mercy is that part of his character that wants to help man.  God’s steadfast love is that part of his character that gives to man unmerited compassion.

Why would David want God to remember his mercy & steadfast love?

 God had promised to use his mercy & steadfast love for his people & God always keeps his promises.

 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn 1:9, ESV).

 God had promised to use his mercy & steadfast love for his people & God always keeps his promises.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn 1:9, ESV).  At first glance, we might expect a God who is “faithful and just” to condemn us rather than to forgive us.

 God had promised to use his mercy & steadfast love for his people & God always keeps his promises.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn 1:9, ESV).  At first glance, we might expect a God who is “faithful and just” to condemn us rather than to forgive us.  But, God has promised to forgive the penitent confessor & he shall do so because he is “faithful and just.”

 David asks the Lord not to remember the sins of his youth.

 Youth—because of immaturity—is often a time of sin.

 David asks the Lord not to remember the sins of his youth.  Youth—because of immaturity—is often a time of sin.  “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment” (Eccl 11:9, ESV).

 David also asks God for the forgiveness of his transgressions.

 David doesn’t put a time frame on those “transgressions.”

How can God be a “ Shedding Savior ”?

 “All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies” (v 10, ESV).

 The Lord’s way of life is “steadfast love and faithfulness.”

 God is so full of mercy & grace.

 “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8, ESV).

 God is so full of mercy & grace.  “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8, ESV).  “God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” (Eph 2:4-5, ESV).

 God’s paths are “steadfast love and faithfulness” only to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

 God only forgives the obedient.

 God’s paths are “steadfast love and faithfulness” only to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.  God only forgives the obedient.  “Thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness” (Rom 6:17-18, ESV).

 God’s paths are “steadfast love and faithfulness” only to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.  God only forgives the obedient.  Rom 6:  Those to whom Peter wrote had “purified [their] souls by [their] obedience to the truth” (1 Pt 1:22, ESV).

 God’s paths are “steadfast love and faithfulness” only to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.  God only forgives the obedient.  Rom 6:  1 Pt 1:22.  Jesus has become “the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him” (Heb 5:9, ESV).

Do you need to be shed of your sins this morning?

Do you need to obey God & make him your Savior?