Psalm 25:8-11

    8      Good and upright is the LORD;
    Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.
    9      The humble He guides in justice,
    And the humble He teaches His way.
    10      All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth,
    To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
    11      For Your name’s sake, O LORD,
    Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
-Psalm 25:8-11

Psalm 25 continues in the theme of us being taught by the Lord. It might appear as though there is no distinction between sinners and the humble in this section of Scripture, however there is actually a large distinction being made.

The way in which the Lord teaches sinners and teaches the humble are very different. There are two different words being used for teach here.

The word for teach used with sinners is יָרָה (yara). In this context it means to point out or to show and instruct. The Lord in His goodness has made Himself and His ways knowable to the sinner though He does not interact in the same way we see with the humble.

With the humble, God guides or leads them. When Scripture uses teach here it uses the word לָמַד (lamad). This means to be taught or trained in. So the way He interacts with the humble is in that leading type of way. He trains us to walk in His way instead of just telling us what His way is. Remember that Christ led this life by example. He is a good leader and is not abandoning us to figure it out on our own. So will you humble yourself to the instruction of the Lord that He might lead you in His ways of mercy and truth?