Psalms 25:8
Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
Study Note
Study Note
The compact theological statement 'Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way' deduces divine pedagogical grace from divine moral character — precisely because God is good, he does not abandon sinners but instructs them. This inference (the 'therefore' connecting character to action) is unusual: one might expect that divine goodness would move against sinners rather than teach them. The logic is the basis of the entire Psalm 25 meditation on divine instruction (vv. 4-5: 'show me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths'), which returns repeatedly to the connection between divine character and his willingness to guide the undeserving. The verse provided Reformation theology with evidence that God's pedagogical relationship with sinners is an expression of grace (goodness) rather than mere legal obligation.
Other Translations
Good and upright is Jehovah: Therefore will he instruct sinners in the way.
Good and upright <FI>is<Fi> Jehovah, Therefore He directeth sinners in the way.
Good and upright is the Lord: so he will be the teacher of sinners in the way.
Cross References
The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just.
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come …
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall …
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly …
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; …
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine …
To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light …