25 A song by David.

א (Alef)

25 I offer my life to you, Yahweh.

ב (Beyt)

2 My God, I trust in you.

Don’t let me be humiliated.

≈Don’t let my enemies defeat me and then celebrate.

ג (Gimel)

3 Don’t let anyone be disgraced because they’d put their trust in you.

On the other hand, may those who act treacherously without cause be ashamed.

ד (Dalet)

4 Make your ways known to me, Yahweh.

≈Teach me your paths.

ה (He)

5 Guide me into your truth and teach me,

because you’re the God who saves me.

I wait all day long to experience your presence.

ו (Vav)

6 Call your acts of compassion and loyal commitment to mind, Yahweh,

because they’ve always existed.

ז (Zayin)

7 Don’t think about my youthful disobedience or my rebelliousness.

Call me to mind with loyal commitment because of your goodness, Yahweh.

ח (Het)

8 Yahweh is both honest and good,

therefore he teaches sinners the way.

ט (Tet)

9 He guides the humble in what is right

≈and he teaches them his way.

י (Yod)

10 All Yahweh’s ways are loyal commitment and faithfulness

to those who keep his agreement and his solemn commands.

כ (Kaf)

11 For the sake of your reputation, Yahweh,

forgive my disobedience because it’s pretty bad.

ל (Lamed)

12 Who are those who respect Yahweh?

The master will instruct them in the path that they should choose.

מ (Mem)

13 They’ll enjoy a life of goodness,

≈and their descendants will live peacefully in the land.

נ (Nun)

14 Yahweh’s friendship is for those who respect him,

and he makes his promises known to them.

ס (Samek)

15 My eyes are always on Yahweh,

because he’ll untangle my feet from the net.

ע (Ayin)

16 Turn towards me and have mercy on me,

because I’m alone and suffering.

פ (Pe)

17 My worries keep increasing—

rescue me from my distress.

צ (Tsade)

18 Take note of my suffering and troubles.

Forgive all my sins.

ק (Qof)

19 Look at my enemies because there’s so many of them.

They hate me with cruel hatred.

ר (Resh)

20 Protect my life and rescue me.

Don’t let me be humiliated, because I always take refuge in you.

ש (Sin/Shin)

21 May integrity and godliness preserve me,

because I wait for you to help me.

ת (Tav)

22 Rescue Yisrael, God,

from all its troubles.