Psalms 25:5 Meaning and Explanation
“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A humble prayer to be led and taught by God, while waiting on Him through the whole day.
The Context of Psalms 25:5
A psalm of David arranged as an acrostic, each verse following the Hebrew alphabet. It is a prayer for guidance and forgiveness, and this verse sits among David's requests to be shown God's ways and paths.
What Does Psalms 25:5 Mean?
David prays like someone who knows he needs help finding his way. 'Lead me' and 'teach me' are the words of a learner, not a master. He does not ask to be shown a shortcut or a clever plan; he asks for God's 'truth' to guide his steps and shape his understanding. And he gives his reason: 'thou art the God of my salvation.' Because God is the One who saves him, God is the One worth following. So David settles in to wait, 'all the day,' the whole long stretch of it, watching for God with patience.
Jesus said plainly, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life' (John 14:6), so this prayer to be led in truth is finally a prayer to follow Him. He is a patient teacher who walks with His learners step by step. When we do not know the way forward, we can pray David's words and wait, trusting the God of our salvation to lead.
Psalms 25:5 in the Original Language
qavah (קָוָה), 'wait' -- to wait with hope, like a taut cord, expectant and looking toward God.
How to Apply Psalms 25:5 Today
Guidance begins with the humility to be taught, asking God to lead rather than insisting we already know the way. When the path is unclear, we can pray to be led in His truth and keep waiting on Him through the whole day, however long the waiting feels.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 25:5
What does Psalms 25:5 mean?
A humble prayer to be led and taught by God, while waiting on Him through the whole day.
What is the context of Psalms 25:5?
A psalm of David arranged as an acrostic, each verse following the Hebrew alphabet. It is a prayer for guidance and forgiveness, and this verse sits among David's requests to be shown God's ways and paths.
How can I apply Psalms 25:5 today?
Guidance begins with the humility to be taught, asking God to lead rather than insisting we already know the way. When the path is unclear, we can pray to be led in His truth and keep waiting on Him through the whole day, however long the waiting feels.