Psalm 25:4
“Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Context
Psalm 25 is a prayer for guidance, forgiveness, and protection. In this verse David asks God to teach him His ways, expressing a humble desire to be led.
What Does Psalm 25:4 Mean?
Psalm 25:4 is a simple, humble prayer for guidance: "Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths." In this verse David expresses one of the deepest desires of a person who wants to live rightly -- to know and walk in the ways of God.
The prayer has two parallel parts that reinforce each other. "Shew me thy ways" asks God to reveal how He acts and how He wants His people to live. "Teach me thy paths" asks God to instruct him in the specific tracks to walk. Notice that David seeks God's ways, not his own. He does not ask God to bless the path he has already chosen; he asks to be shown God's path and taught God's way. This is the posture of a humble learner who trusts that God's direction is better than his own instincts. The very form of the prayer admits dependence: David cannot find the way by himself, so he asks the One who knows. This kind of prayer pleases God, for it expresses both the desire to obey and the humility to be led. The verses that follow show that God especially guides the meek and teaches sinners the way. For anyone facing decisions or longing to live well, this verse offers a model prayer -- not asking God to approve our plans, but asking Him to show us His.
In the Original Language
The verbs hodi'eni, "shew me," and lammedeni, "teach me," express a learner's request to be made to know and to be instructed, the posture of a humble disciple.
Cross References
Application
Approach your decisions by asking God to show you His ways rather than to bless the path you have already chosen, taking the humble posture of a learner who trusts God's direction over your own instincts.