Psalms 18:20
The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
Original Language Analysis
יִגְמְלֵ֣נִי
rewarded
H1580
יִגְמְלֵ֣נִי
rewarded
Strong's:
H1580
Word #:
1 of 7
to treat a person (well or ill), i.e., benefit or requite; by implication (of toil), to ripen, i.e., (specifically) to wean
יְהוָ֣ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כְּצִדְקִ֑י
me according to my righteousness
H6664
כְּצִדְקִ֑י
me according to my righteousness
Strong's:
H6664
Word #:
3 of 7
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
יָ֝דַ֗י
of my hands
H3027
יָ֝דַ֗י
of my hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
5 of 7
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
Cross References
Psalms 24:4He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.1 Corinthians 3:8Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.Matthew 6:4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.Proverbs 11:18The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.Hebrews 7:26For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;Isaiah 49:4Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.Isaiah 62:11Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.Psalms 58:11So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.Job 22:30He shall deliver the island of the innocent: and it is delivered by the pureness of thine hands.
Historical Context
Written after David consistently refused to harm Saul despite opportunity (1 Samuel 24, 26), demonstrating covenant faithfulness that God rewarded.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you understand the relationship between grace and righteous living?
- In what ways does covenant faithfulness differ from earning salvation?
Analysis & Commentary
Yahweh dealt with David 'according to my righteousness' and 'cleanness of my hands.' This seems to contradict salvation by grace until recognizing David speaks of covenant faithfulness, not sinless perfection. The Hebrew 'tsedaqah' (righteousness) refers to conformity to covenant, and 'bor' (cleanness) to integrity. This anticipates justification by faith—believers are declared righteous through Christ's righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).