Note: this acrostic Psalm divides into five part according to the one spoken to or about, and there is a neat parallel between the description of the Covenant God who will teach sinners (B) and the exhortation to sinners to enter into that covenant (B’). There are also other themes that are not specified here such as the correspondence between the needs of the psalmist in A and the character of God in B. Note that the AV “teach” and “way” and “trust” and “mercy” obscures the use of different Hebrew words. [We also note that Dorsey has this Psalm as a 7 part symmetry (see below) centring on the character of YHWH. ]
A Psalm of David.
A. Plea to YHWH
1 Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed,
let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed:
let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me:
for thou art the God of my salvation;
on thee do I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses;
for they have been ever of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions:
according to thy mercy remember thou me
for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.
B. About YHWH – He keep covenant
8 Good and upright is the LORD:
therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9 The meek will he guide in judgment:
and the meek will he teach his way.
10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth
unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
C. Plea to YHWH for forgiveness
11 For thy name’s sake, O LORD,
pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
B’. Counsel to sinners – fear YHWH and enter into covenant
12 What man is he that feareth the LORD?
him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13 His soul shall dwell at ease;
and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him;
and he will shew them his covenant.
15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD;
for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
A’. Plea to YHWH
16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me;
for I am desolate and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged:
O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain;
and forgive all my sins.
19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many;
and they hate me with cruel hatred.
20 O keep my soul, and deliver me:
let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me;
for I wait on thee.
22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
Compare DA Dorsey
A. Introductory cry for help
1 Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed,
let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed:
let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
B. YHWH teach me your ways
4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me:
for thou art the God of my salvation;
on thee do I wait all the day.
C. Plea for forgiveness
6 Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses;
for they have been ever of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions:
according to thy mercy remember thou me
for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.
D. YHWH’s good and gracious character
8 Good and upright is the LORD:
therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9 The meek will he guide in judgment:
and the meek will he teach his way.
10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth
unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
C’. Plea for forgiveness
11 For thy name’s sake, O LORD,
pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
B’. YHWH will teach his followers in the way
12 What man is he that feareth the LORD?
him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13 His soul shall dwell at ease;
and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him;
and he will shew them his covenant.
A’. Concluding cry for help
15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD;
for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me;
for I am desolate and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged:
O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain;
and forgive all my sins.
19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many;
and they hate me with cruel hatred.
20 O keep my soul, and deliver me:
let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me;
for I wait on thee.
Addendum
Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.