Bible Strands
Psalms 25:8
Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He shows sinners the way.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist speaks to God, moving from a plea for remembrance in verse 7 toward a declaration of divine character that grounds the request for guidance in verse 9.
The words — טוֹב (tov) translates as “good,” and יוֹרֶה (yoReh) means “he teaches” or “shows,” anchoring the verse’s claim that God’s moral nature directly produces His instructional action.
The thread — The motif of divine instruction appears in Psalms 32:8, where God promises to teach and counsel, while James 1:5 and Ephesians 1:17 extend the principle to believers seeking wisdom and revelation from God.
Why it lands — The text asserts that God’s goodness and uprightness are the cause of His guidance to sinners, requiring the reader to recognize that receiving instruction depends on acknowledging God’s moral character rather than human merit.
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
Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
Cross-references
- James 1:5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
- Ephesians 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.
- Psalms 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.
- John 6:44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.
- Psalms 92:15 to proclaim, “The LORD is upright; He is my Rock, and in Him there is no unrighteousness.”
- Matthew 9:13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
- Proverbs 9:4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
- Isaiah 26:7 The path of the righteous is level; You clear a straight path for the upright.
- Matthew 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- Psalms 119:68 You are good, and You do what is good; teach me Your statutes.