Bible Strands
Psalms 25:1
Of David. To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David addresses Yahweh as he opens a psalm of reliance and plea for deliverance. The speaker turns his full attention toward God before immediately stating his trust and fear of enemy exultation.
The words — נַפְשִׁי (naf.shi) translates literally to "my desire" or "my soul," paired with אֶשָּׂא ('e.sa) meaning "I lift up." The construction describes the physical and spiritual act of directing one's deepest longing upward toward God.
The thread — The identical phrase appears in Psalms 86:4, while Psalms 24:4 contrasts this posture by forbidding the lifting of one's soul to an idol. Psalms 143:8 connects this act of surrender to morning trust and the request for directional teaching.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to direct their primary desires exclusively to God. It demands immediate reliance on divine trust as the foundation for navigating fear and opposition.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
A Psalm of David. Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
Cross-references
- Psalms 143:8 Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul.
- Psalms 86:4 Bring joy to Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
- Psalms 24:4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.
- 1 Samuel 1:15 “No, my lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have not had any wine or strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD.
- Lamentations 3:41 Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven: