What Does Psalms 25:9 Mean?

The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. This verse continues the theme of divine instruction, specifying who receives God's guidance: the meek. The parallel structure (guide/teach, judgment/his way) emphasizes both the recipients and the content of God's teaching.

"The meek" (anavim, עֲנָוִים) comes from anav (עָנָו), meaning humble, afflicted, lowly, gentle. This isn't weakness but strength under control—those who have been humbled by circumstances or who voluntarily humble themselves before God. Moses was called "very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth" (Numbers 12:3), yet he confronted Pharaoh and led Israel. Meekness is power submitted to God's authority.

"Will he guide" (yadarekh, יַדְרֵךְ) uses darak (דָּרַךְ) in causative form—to cause to walk, to lead, to direct. God actively guides the meek person's steps, like a shepherd leading sheep or a father teaching a child to walk. This guidance is personal, ongoing, and practical—not abstract truth but specific direction for daily decisions.

"In judgment" (bamishpat, בַּמִּשְׁפָּט) means in justice, in what is right, in proper decision-making. God guides the meek in discerning right from wrong, in making just choices, in understanding proper courses of action. This encompasses both moral wisdom (knowing what is right) and practical wisdom (knowing how to apply it).

"And the meek will he teach his way" parallels and intensifies the first line. God not only guides the meek in making right decisions but teaches them His characteristic way of acting. This is the higher level—not just learning what to do in specific situations but learning to think and act like God Himself, internalizing His values and methods.