Peter Barnes: Psalm 25:16-22
(12 May 2019)
SERMON NOTES: PRAYING FOR GRACE AND REDEMPTION (Psalm 25:16-22)
David faces internal and external distress. W. S. Plumer: ‘Whoever has one distress has others.’ Calvin dates this to Saul’s threats; Thomas Scott says the threat was Absalom, which is more likely.
1. Affliction and forgiveness.
– 25:16-18; he is lonely and afflicted.
– the soul whose sensitivities are driven by the Holy Spirit is quick to connect troubles with sin. Three times in this Psalm, David pleads for forgiveness – 25:6-7, 11, 18.
Charles Wesley:
I want a principle within of watchful, godly fear,
A sensibility of sin, a pain to feel it near.
I want the first approach to feel of pride or wrong desire,
To catch the wandering of my will and quench the kindling fire.
2. Deliverance and integrity.
– 25:19-21. The reference to ‘integrity and uprightness’ in verse 20 can be understood as David’s integrity and uprightness (Peter Craigie) or God’s integrity and uprightness (Allan Harman, Philip Eveson). See Psalm 7:8; 26:1, 11; 36:10. Actually, the two views are reflections of the same truth. Also Heb.12:14.
3. Prayer for the welfare of God’s people.
– 25:22. The acrostic actually finishes at verse 21. Sorrow has taught David empathy, as it should. That is also how Psalm 130 finishes – Ps.130:1-8.
This is a Psalm to encourage to pray and to teach us how.