PSALM 25[A Psalm] of David. This is the first of the psalms which is written in an alphabetical order, or in which the first word of every verse begins with the letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order, though it is not strictly and regularly observed; the reason of this manner of writing is not very obvious; the Jews confess their ignorance of it; it may be to engage the attention to what is said, or to assist the memory in laying it up, and retaining it there.
The occasion of the psalm seems to be the troubles David was in on account of an unnatural rebellion raised against him by some of his subjects, at the head of which was his own son Absalom; he speaks of himself as in a net, and in great affliction, distress, and trouble, by reason of his enemies, Ps 25:15; and as being brought to a sense of his former sins, for which he desires pardon, Ps 25:7.
Kimchi in loc.Ver. 1. Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. Either "in prayer", as the Chaldee paraphrase adds ; and denotes sincere, affectionate, hearty prayer to God, a drawing nigh to him with a true heart: for unless the heart is lifted up, the lifting up of the eyes or hands in prayer is of no avail; see La 3:41; or by way of offering to the Lord, as some Jewish writers interpret it; David not only presented his body in public worship, but his soul also as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which was his reasonable service; or else as a "depositum", which he committed into the hands of God, to be under his care and protection; and then the sense is the same with Ps 31:5 ; the phrase is sometimes used to express earnest and vehement desire after anything; See Gill on "Ps 24:4"; and may here intend the very great desire of the psalmist after communion with God; which is elsewhere by him expressed by panting after him, and by thirsting for him in a dry and thirsty land, Ps 42:1; the desires of his soul were not to vain things, the vanities and idols of the Gentiles, but to God only, and to the remembrance of his name.
So Kimchi & Ben Melech. R. Moseh in Aben Ezra in loc.