Psalms 25

The heading of this psalm tells us it was composed by DavidI usually try to ignore the Psalm headings- if David wrote it, we’re tempted to locate an event in his life's story that "explains" it(for instance, explains the theme and mood of the psalm)• Bible teachers who do not “get” poetry or do not like poetry frequently look for connections outside the psalm itself◦ as though, if we do not know context, we can not know the poem's meaning◦ but poems carry their own meaning, and their context is normal life• the psalms are general enough to fit everyone’s experience◦ we must let them speak for themselves regardless of the author- the “poet” who penned Psalm 25 was in trouble -- he faced:• the threat of many enemies whose hatred was violent• he suffered emotional distress and physical affliction• his guilty conscience told him he did not deserve help◦ he needed something more than “religion” could provide◦ he needed the assurance of a special closeness with God