Psalm 25: Overview

Psalm 25 is said on Sundays at Matins in the Benedictine Office., but its most familiar verse comes from the use of verses 6-12 in the Ordinary of the Mass, at the lavabo.

St Alphonsus Liguori summarised it as follows:

This psalm teaches all those that are unjustly persecuted what virtues they should practise during their trial. Moreover, it makes and explains in detail what are the dispositions with which we should approach the altar, whether to communicate or to offer the holy Sacrifice.

 Psalm 25

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
In finem. Psalmus David.	Unto the end, a psalm for David
Júdica me, Dómine, quóniam ego in innocéntia mea ingréssus sum: * et in Dómino sperans non infirmábor	Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in my innocence: and I have put my trust in the Lord, and shall not be weakened.
Proba me, Dómine, et tenta me: * ure renes meos et cor meum.	Prove me, O Lord, and try me; burn my reins and my heart.
Quóniam misericórdia tua ante óculos meos est: * et complácui in veritáte tua.	For your mercy is before my eyes; and I am well pleased with your truth.
Non sedi cum concílio vanitátis: * et cum iníqua geréntibus non introíbo.	I have not sat with the council of vanity: neither will I go in with the doers of unjust things.
Odívi ecclésiam malignántium: * et cum ímpiis non sedébo.	I have hated the assembly of the malignant; and with the wicked I will not sit.
Lavábo inter innocéntes manus meas: * et circúmdabo altáre tuum, Dómine.	I will wash my hands among the innocent; and will compass your altar, O Lord:
Ut áudiam vocem laudis: * et enárrem univérsa mirabília tua.	That I may hear the voice of your praise: and tell of all your wondrous works.
Dómine, diléxi decórem domus tuæ: * et locum habitatiónis glóriæ tuæ.	I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of your house; and the place where your glory dwells.
Ne perdas cum ímpiis, Deus, ánimam meam, * et cum viris sánguinum vitam meam.	Take not away my soul, O God, with the wicked: nor my life with bloody men:
In quorum mánibus iniquitátes sunt: * déxtera eórum repléta est munéribus.	In whose hands are iniquities: their right hand is filled with gifts.
Ego autem in innocéntia mea ingréssus sum: * rédime me, et miserére mei.	But as for me, I have walked in my innocence: redeem me, and have mercy on me.
Pes meus stetit in dirécto: * in ecclésiis benedícam te, Dómine	My foot has stood in the direct way: in the churches I will bless you, O Lord.

Scriptural and liturgical uses of the psalm

NT references	Mt 27:34 (6)
RB cursus	Sunday Matins
Monastic/(Roman) feasts etc	Sunday Matins (Post Tridentine: Wednesday Prime)
Roman post 1911	1911-62: Wednesday Prime . 1970:
Mass propers (EF)	Ordinary of the Mass (6-12); Lent 2 Monday, IN (1, 11-12); Passion Wednesday, CO (6-7)