Why read Psalm 24?
Psalm 24 is a prayer for guidance, forgiveness and a faithful path through life. The desire to learn God's ways is joined to acknowledgment of wrongdoing and trust in His mercy.
You can read this psalm when its themes speak to your circumstances, or as part of your regular reading of the Psalter. This explanation draws on the text itself; the psalm is not reserved for one particular need.
In the Fourth Kathisma of the Psalter, Psalm 24 awaits its reader with 23 verses of prayer rising out of a real experience. It begins with "Unto Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul..." — and from there on, everything is dialogue between man and God. The Orthodox Septuagint numbering is preserved: this Psalm 24 corresponds to Psalm 25 in Hebrew numbering.
The text of Psalm 24
1. Unto Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul, O my God.
2. In Thee have I trusted; let me not be put to shame for ever, neither let mine enemies laugh me to scorn.
3. For all they that wait on Thee shall not be ashamed; let all them be ashamed that do wickedly in vain.
4. Thy ways, O Lord, show me, and teach me Thy paths.
5. Lead me in Thy truth and teach me, for Thou art God my Saviour, and on Thee have I waited all the day.
6. Remember Thy compassions and Thy mercies, O Lord, for they are from everlasting.
7. The sins of my youth and of mine ignorance remember not.
8. According to Thy mercy remember me, for Thy goodness' sake, O Lord.
9. Good and upright is the Lord; therefore will He set a law for them that go astray in the way.
10. He shall guide the meek in judgement, He shall teach the meek His ways.
11. All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth unto them that seek His covenant and His testimonies.
12. For Thy name's sake, O Lord, cleanse my sin, for it is great.
13. What man is he that feareth the Lord? He shall set a law for him in the way which he hath chosen.
14. His soul shall dwell among good things, and his seed shall inherit the earth.
15. The Lord is the strength of them that fear Him, and He shall show them His covenant.
16. Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He shall pluck my feet out of the snare.
17. Look upon me and have mercy upon me, for I am desolate and poor.
18. The troubles of my heart are multiplied; bring me out of my necessities.
19. Behold my lowliness and my toil, and forgive me all my sins.
20. Behold mine enemies, how they are multiplied, and with unjust hatred have they hated me.
21. Keep my soul and deliver me, that I may not be put to shame, for I have hoped in Thee.
22. The innocent and the upright have joined themselves unto me, because I have waited on Thee, O Lord.
23. Deliver Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
When Psalm 24 is read
- for the enlightening of the mind and for repentance.
- At the end of each psalm, the tradition adds: "Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen."
Neighbouring psalms
The numbering follows the Orthodox Psalter (Septuagint). The same psalm may have a different number in other Bible editions.
