EGW → Biblical Foundation
Select an Ellen White book from the sidebar to see each passage mapped to the Bible verses it amplifies, cites, or echoes.
Scripture Index
Ellen White & Bible Cross-Reference
Psalms 25:4
"Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths."
"***** Instead of choosing the work most pleasing to us, and refusing to do something that our brethren think we should do, we are to inquire: “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” Instead of marking out the way that natural inclination prompts us to follow, we are to pray: “Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path.” Psalm 27:11 . 7T 252.4"
EGW directly quotes Psalm 27:11 and Psalm 25:4, applying it to the individual's search for God's will.
Psalms 25:4-5
"Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day."
"On our return home, my husband complained of slight indisposition, yet he engaged in his work as usual. Every morning we visited the grove near our home, and united in prayer. We were anxious to know our duty. Letters were continually coming in from different places, urging us to attend the camp meetings. Notwithstanding our determination to devote ourselves to writing, it was hard to refuse to meet with our brethren in these important gatherings. We earnestly pleaded for wisdom to know the right course. 1T 108.3"
The EGW passage describes seeking God's guidance and direction, which is a clear thematic parallel to the plea in Psalms 25:4-5 for God to show His ways and teach His paths.
Psalms 25:5
"Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day."
"The passing of the time in 1844 was followed by a period of great trial to those who still held the advent faith. Their only relief, so far as ascertaining their true position was concerned, was the light which directed their minds to the sanctuary above. Some renounced their faith in their former reckoning of the prophetic periods and ascribed to human or satanic agencies the powerful influence of the Holy Spirit which had attended the advent movement. Another class firmly held that the Lord had led them in their past experience; and as they waited and watched and prayed to know the will of God they saw that their great High Priest had entered upon another work of ministration, and, following Him by faith, they were led to see also the closing work of the church. They had a clearer understanding of the first and second angels’ messages, and were prepared to receive and give to the world the solemn warning of the third angel of Revelation 14 . GC 431.3"
The EGW passage describes a group of believers waiting on God to understand their true position after the disappointment of 1844. They prayed and watched for God's will to be revealed. This aligns with the sentiment in Psalm 25:5, where the psalmist asks God to lead and teach him, expressing a dependence on God and a willingness to wait on Him.
"Every soul must look to God with contrition and humility, that He may guide and lead and bless. We must not trust to others to search the Scriptures for us. Some of our leading brethren have frequently taken their position on the wrong side; and if God would send a message and wait for these older brethren to open the way for its advancement, it would never reach the people. These brethren will be found in this position until they become partakers of the divine nature to a greater extent than ever they have been in the past. GW 303.3"
Both passages emphasize the need for God's guidance and leadership. EGW's call for each soul to look to God for guidance aligns with the Psalmist's prayer to be led in truth.
"Had Elisha asked Elijah what was expected of him,—what would be his work,—he would have been answered: God knows; He will make it known to you. If you wait upon the Lord, He will answer your every question. You may come with me if you have evidence that God has called you. Know for yourself that God stands back of me, and that it is His voice you hear. If you can count everything but dross that you may win the favor of God, come. PK 220.2"
Both passages emphasize waiting on God for guidance and instruction. The EGW passage speaks of waiting on the Lord to answer questions, while the Psalm speaks of being led and taught by God. The connection is thematic and relevant.
Psalms 25:9
"The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way."
God has placed in the church, as His appointed helpers, men of varied talents, that through the combined wisdom of many the mind of the Spirit may be met. Men who move in accordance with their own strong traits of character, refusing to yoke up with others who have had a long experience in the work of God, will become blinded by self-confidence, unable to discern between the false and the true. It is not safe for such ones to be chosen as leaders in the church; for they would follow their own judgment and plans, regardless of the judgment of their brethren. It is easy for the enemy to work through those who, themselves needing counsel at every step, undertake the guardianship of souls in their own strength, without having learned the lowliness of Christ. AA 279.1 Impressions alone are not a safe guide to duty. The enemy often persuades men to believe that it is God who is guiding them, when in reality they are following only human impulse. But if we watch carefully, and take counsel wi…
Ellen White directly references Psalms 25:9 in this passage.
"Meekness a Fruit of the Spirit The most precious fruit of sanctification is the grace of meekness. When this grace presides in the soul, the disposition is molded by its influence. There is a continual waiting upon God and a submission of the will to His. The understanding grasps every divine truth, and the will bows to every divine precept, without doubting or murmuring. True meekness softens and subdues the heart and gives the mind a fitness for the engrafted word. It brings the thoughts into obedience to Jesus Christ. It opens the heart to the word of God, as Lydia's was opened. It places us with Mary, as learners at the feet of Jesus. “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way” ( Psalm 25:9 ). SL 14"
Ellen White directly references Psalms 25:9 in this passage.
"For years we labored to beat back the prejudice and subdue the opposition that at times threatened to overwhelm the faithful standard bearers of truth—the heroes and heroines of faith. But we found that those who were seeking God in humility and contrition of soul, were able to discern between the true and the false. “The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.” Psalm 25:9 . LS 92.1"
Ellen White directly references Psalms 25:9 in this passage.
Their accusations were borne by Moses in uncomplaining silence. It was the experience gained during the years of toil and waiting in Midian—the spirit of humility and long-suffering there developed—that prepared Moses to meet with patience the unbelief and murmuring of the people and the pride and envy of those who should have been his unswerving helpers. Moses “was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth,” and this is why he was granted divine wisdom and guidance above all others. Says the Scripture, “The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.” Psalm 25:9 . The meek are guided by the Lord, because they are teachable, willing to be instructed. They have a sincere desire to know and to do the will of God. The Saviour's promise is, “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.” John 7:17 . And He declares by the apostle James, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbrai…
Ellen White directly references Psalms 25:9 in this passage.
Psalms 25:10
"All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies."
"With these believers, as with the first disciples, that which in the hour of trial seemed dark to their understanding would afterward be made plain. When they should see the “end of the Lord” they would know that, notwithstanding the trial resulting from their errors, His purposes of love toward them had been steadily fulfilling. They would learn by a blessed experience that He is “very pitiful, and of tender mercy;” that all His paths “are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.” GC 354.2"
EGW directly quotes Psalm 25:10, making it an explicit allusion.
Psalms 25:11
"For thy name’s sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great."
"But God did not forsake Jacob. His mercy was still extended to His erring, distrustful servant. The Lord compassionately revealed just what Jacob needed—a Saviour. He had sinned, but his heart was filled with gratitude as he saw revealed a way by which he could be restored to the favor of God. PP 183.3"
Both passages deal with the theme of God's forgiveness of iniquity. The EGW passage speaks of God's mercy and providing a way for Jacob to be restored, while Psalm 25:11 is a direct plea for pardon. The connection is thematic and relevant.
Psalms 25:14
"The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant."
"Faithful men, who were obedient to the promptings of God's Spirit and the teachings of His word, were to proclaim this warning to the world. They were those who had taken heed to the “sure word of prophecy,” the “light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise.” 2 Peter 1:19 . They had been seeking the knowledge of God more than all hid treasures, counting it “better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.” Proverbs 3:14 . And the Lord revealed to them the great things of the kingdom. “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant.” Psalm 25:14 . GC 312.2"
Ellen White directly references Psalms 25:14 in this passage.
The truth which Peter had confessed is the foundation of the believer's faith. It is that which Christ Himself has declared to be eternal life. But the possession of this knowledge was no ground for self-glorification. Through no wisdom or goodness of his own had it been revealed to Peter. Never can humanity, of itself, attain to a knowledge of the divine. “It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?” Job 11:8 . Only the spirit of adoption can reveal to us the deep things of God, which “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man.” “God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:9, 10 . “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him;” and the fact that Peter discerned the glory of Christ was an evidence that he had been “taught of God.” Psalm 25:14 ; John 6:45 . Ah, indeed, “blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood …
Ellen White directly references Psalms 25:14 in this passage.
"“The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him.” Psalm 25:14 . Abraham had honored God, and the Lord honored him, taking him into His counsels, and revealing to him His purposes. “Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?” said the Lord. “The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous, I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.” God knew well the measure of Sodom's guilt; but He expressed Himself after the manner of men, that the justice of His dealings might be understood. Before bringing judgment upon the transgressors He would go Himself, to institute an examination of their course; if they had not passed the limits of divine mercy, He would still grant them space for repentance. PP 139.1"
Ellen White directly references Psalms 25:14 in this passage.
"To the transgressor it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God; but Moses stood alone in the presence of the Eternal One, and he was not afraid; for his soul was in harmony with the will of his Maker. Says the psalmist, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Psalm 66:18 . But “the secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant.” Psalm 25:14 . PP 329.1"
Ellen White directly references Psalms 25:14 in this passage.
Psalms 25:15
"Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net."
"Amid the perils of his earlier life David in conscious integrity could trust his case with God. The Lord's hand had guided him safely past the unnumbered snares that had been laid for his feet. But now, guilty and unrepentant, he did not ask help and guidance from Heaven, but sought to extricate himself from the dangers in which sin had involved him. Bathsheba, whose fatal beauty had proved a snare to the king, was the wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of David's bravest and most faithful officers. None could foresee what would be the result should the crime become known. The law of God pronounced the adulterer guilty of death, and the proud- spirited soldier, so shamefully wronged, might avenge himself by taking the life of the king or by exciting the nation to revolt. PP 718.2"
The EGW passage contrasts David's earlier reliance on God with his later self-reliance after sinning. Psalm 25:15 expresses a general trust in God to deliver from snares, which is relevant to David's situation before his sin.
Psalms 25:16
"Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted."
"These days of close self-examination and of heart humiliation were spent in lonely seclusion. The believers, having been given warning of the purpose of Saul in coming to Damascus, feared that he might be acting a part, in order the more readily to deceive them; and they held themselves aloof, refusing him their sympathy. He had no desire to appeal to the unconverted Jews, with whom he had planned to unite in persecuting the believers; for he knew that they would not even listen to his story. Thus he seemed to be shut away from all human sympathy. His only hope of help was in a merciful God, and to Him he appealed in brokenness of heart. AA 118.3"
The EGW passage describes Saul's feelings of desolation and isolation, and his appeal to God for mercy. While not a direct quote, it echoes the sentiment of Psalm 25:16, where the psalmist cries out for mercy in a state of desolation. The connection is thematic, reflecting a similar emotional state and reliance on God.