John Calvin Commentary Psalms 25:9

"The meek will he guide in justice; And the meek will he teach his way." — Psalms 25:9 (ASV)

He will guide the poor in judgment. The Psalmist here specifies the second manifestation of His grace that God shows toward those who, being subdued by His power and brought under His yoke, bear it willingly and submit themselves to His government. But this teachableness will never be found in any person until the heart, which is naturally puffed up and filled with pride, has been humbled and subdued.

As the Hebrew word ענוים, anavim, denotes the poor or afflicted, and is used in a metaphorical sense to denote the meek and humble, it is probable that David, under this term, includes the afflictions that serve to restrain and subdue the rebelliousness of the flesh, as well as the grace of humility itself; as if he had said, When God has first humbled them, then He kindly stretches out His hand to them, and leads and guides them throughout the whole course of their life.

Moreover, some understand these terms, judgment and way of the Lord, as denoting a righteous and well-ordered way of life. Others refer them to the providence of God, an interpretation that seems more correct and more agreeable to the context, for it is immediately added, All the ways of Jehovah are mercy and truth. The meaning therefore is, that those who are truly humbled in their hearts and brought to place their confidence in God, will experience how much care He has for His children, and how well He provides for their necessities.

The terms, judgment and way of the Lord, therefore, simply have the same meaning in this place as His government, in the exercise of which He shows that He, as a kind Father, has a special interest in the welfare of His children, by relieving them when they are oppressed, raising them up when cast down, cheering and comforting them when sorrowful, and helping them when afflicted.

We perceive, then, by what order God proceeds in the manifestation of His grace toward us. First, He brings us back to the way when we are wandering and going astray from Him—or rather, when we are already fugitives and exiles from Him—He restrains our rebelliousness; and whereas we were before wayward and rebellious, He now subdues us to the obedience of His righteousness. Secondly, after He has afflicted and tried us, He does not forsake us; but after He has molded and trained us by the cross to humility and meekness, He still shows Himself to be a wise and provident Father in guiding and directing us through life.