Psalm 25

Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee:
Let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. (Psalm 25:1-2)

The Presbyterian Scots were some of the most fearsome warriors ever to unsheath the sword. And they nourished their souls on the Word of God, particularly the singing of Psalms. The Christian Martialist could not do better than to saturate his heart with these "war chants of the Shepherd King of Israel."

Psalm 25 (C. M., or Common Meter) from The Scottish Psalter of 1650 can be sung to any C. M. hymn tune like Amazing Grace, for example. For my own part, I like to sing this one to the tune Dundee.

   1  To thee I lift my soul, O Lord:
 2     My God, I trust in thee:
    Let me not be ashamed; let not
       my foes triumph o'er me.

   3  Yea, let thou none ashamèd be
       that do on thee attend:
    Ashamed let them be, O Lord,
       who without cause offend.

   4  Thy ways, Lord, show; teach me thy paths:
 5     Lead me in truth, teach me:
    For of my safety thou art God;
       all day I wait on thee.

   6  Thy mercies, that most tender are,
       do thou, O Lord, remember,
    And loving-kindnesses; for they
       have been of old for ever.

   7  Let not the errors of my youth,
       nor sins, remembered be:
    In mercy, for thy goodness' sake,
       O Lord, remember me.

   8  The Lord is good and gracious,
       he upright is also:
    He therefore sinners will instruct
       in ways that they should go.

   9  The meek and lowly he will guide
       in judgment just alway:
    To meek and poor afflicted ones
       he'll clearly teach his way.

  10  The whole paths of the Lord our God
       are truth and mercy sure,
    To such as keep his covenant,
       and testimonies pure.

  11  Now, for thine own name's sake, O Lord,
       I humbly thee entreat
    To pardon mine iniquity;
       for it is very great.

  12  What man fears God? him shall he teach
       the way that he shall choose.
13  His soul shall dwell at ease; his seed
       the earth, as heirs, shall use.

  14  The secret of the Lord is with
       such as do fear his name;
    And he his holy covenant
       will manifest to them.

  15  Towards the Lord my waiting eyes
       continually are set;
    For he it is that shall bring forth
       my feet out of the net.

  16  O turn thee unto me, O God,
       have mercy me upon;
    Because I solitary am,
       and in affliction.

  17  Enlarged the griefs are of mine heart;
       me from distress relieve.
18  See mine affliction and my pain,
       and all my sins forgive.

  19  Consider thou mine enemies,
       because they many are;
    And it a cruel hatred is
       which they against me bear.

  20  O do thou keep my soul; O God,
       do thou deliver me:
    Let me not be ashamed; for I
       do put my trust in thee.

  21  O let integrity and truth
       keep me, who thee attend.
22  Redemption, Lord, to Israel
       from all his troubles send.