Psalm 18:20-29

A Psalm of Thanksgiving for Deliverance and Victory

The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness, the evidence of which came out in his entire conduct and life; according to the cleanness of my hands, in the management of his personal and official affairs, hath He recompensed me. V. 21. For I have kept the ways of the Lord, closely followed the paths pointed out to him by Yahweh, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

V. 22. For all His judgments were before me, the obligations which His commandments laid upon all men, and I did not put away His statutes from me, namely, all the precepts of His covenant. V. 23. I was also upright before Him, in the outward observance of the Law, and I kept myself from mine iniquity, from bold transgression and wickedness.

V. 24. Therefore hath the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His eyesight. It was not arrogant boastfulness which caused David to make these statements, but the simplicity and trust of his heart.

V. 25. With the merciful Thou wilt show thyself merciful, showing kindness to him who practised kindness; with an upright man Thou wilt show Thyself upright; v. 26. with the pure Thou wilt show Thyself pure; and with the froward Thou wilt show Thyself froward, God’s dealing with men being the mirror of the relation in which God puts Himself to him, rewarding every man according to his deserts.

V. 27. For Thou wilt save the afflicted people, delivering them from the trouble which oppresses them, but wilt bring down high looks, humbling those who exalt themselves. V. 28. For Thou wilt light my candle, making the lamp of his happiness and its light very bright; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness, bringing him relief after the misfortunes which he endured.

V. 29. For by Thee I have run through a troop, rushing upon hostile bands and overthrowing them; and by my God have I leaped over a wall, capturing the fortified towns of the enemies with ease.

In the same manner all Christians will experience the gracious help of Yahweh against all the enemies of their souls if they but cling to their trust in the Lord.