Psalms 25:8

"Good and upright is Jehovah:

Therefore will he instruct sinners in the way.

The meek will he guide in justice;

And the meek will he teach his way.

All the paths of Jehovah are lovingkindness and truth

Unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

For thy name's sake, O Jehovah,

Pardon mine iniquity, for it is great.

What man is he that feareth Jehovah?

Him shall he instruct in the way that he shall choose.

His soul shall dwell at ease;

And his seed shall inherit the land.

The friendship of Jehovah is with them that fear him;

And he will show them his covenant.

Mine eyes are ever toward Jehovah;

For he will pluck my feet out of the net."

"He will instruct sinners" (Psalms 25:8). "The sinners here are not the habitually wicked, but the humble, among whom the psalmist numbers himself."[12] Nevertheless, David most certainly feels an estrangement from God in this passage, as evidenced by his triple plea for pardon in Psalms 25:7,11,18. A passage such as this thunders the message that, "God's true people are not sinless."[13] Yes, forgiveness is available for those who in penitence and meekness seek it, and who do not place themselves in the fatal position of the wicked by refusing to seek it, or to trust the grace and goodness of God to bestow it.

"The meek ... such as keep his commandments" (Psalms 25:9,10). The kind of sinners who may expect God's forgiveness appear in this psalm as (1) those who repent, (2) those who seek God's forgiveness, (3) the meek, or humble, and (4) those who keep the Lord's commandments.

"Pardon mine iniquity" (Psalms 25:11). Another word is here added as an explanation of the grounds upon which David asked God's pardon, namely, for thy name's sake. Added to the mercy, lovingkindness, and goodness mentioned in Psalms 25:6-7, we have a four fold statement of the grounds upon which the saints of God may request forgiveness of their sins. See our discussion of this phrase in the Shepherd Psalm, above.

"For it is great" (Psalms 25:11). Rawlinson identified the "great sin" mentioned by David in this place as that revolving around Bathsheba the wife of Uriah the Hittite in "2 Samuel 11:4-17."[14]

David's prayer for pardon was granted. "Psalms 25:12-15 indicate that the psalmist's intimacy with the Lord was developed, and that, successively, the promises are made of forgiveness, guidance, security, friendship and deliverance, arising respectively from an attitude of confession, reverence, and reliance."[15]