Psalm 18:20

The LORD Is My Rock · Psalm 18:1–50
Read Psalm 18

Translations

Modern
The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; He has repaid me according to the cleanness of my hands.
Traditional
The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
Literal
YHWH rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands, He returned it to me.
Latin
…et retribuet mihi Dominus secundum justitiam meam, et secundum puritatem manuum mearum retribuet mihi:

Original

Hebrew
English
The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; He has repaid me according to the cleanness of my hands.

Notes

The psalmist states that loyalty brings rewards. He trusts in the Lord (see Psalm 16:1) and promises to live with integrity (see Psalms 1, 15, 24; see also 19:12–14).

This psalm describes a royal story of God rescuing his king. A similar version of this psalm appears in 2 Samuel 22:1–51. The psalm encourages those who hear the earlier prayers for help in Psalms 16 and 17.

The psalmist describes the dramatic nature of God’s rescue in three different ways (Psalm 18:7–15, 16–19, 30–36). The psalm also offers hope that a future Son of David will completely defeat evil (Psalm 18:43–50; compare Psalm 2).

The psalms in this section emphasize integrity and purity (Psalms 17:15; 18:20–26; 19:13–14). They describe people as living in God’s presence (Psalms 16:9–11; 17:15) and remaining steadfast (15:5; 16:8).

Parallels

2 Samuel 22:1–51

Glossary

David Jude, Letter of Music Psalms, Book of Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Integrity: General Scriptures Concerning