Bible Strands
Psalms 18:20
The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; He has repaid me according to the cleanness of my hands.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David addresses the LORD immediately after describing his deliverance, presenting his rescue as a direct consequence of his own moral standing.
The words — The verbs יִגְמֶלְנִי (yigmele-ni, "he has dealt with me") and יָשִׁׁיב (yashiv, "he has repaid") frame the verse's claim of divine recompense.
The thread — The concept of God rewarding moral integrity appears in Psalms 58:11 and Matthew 6:4.
Why it lands — The text states that Yahweh's deliverance functions as a payment for the speaker's righteousness and clean conduct, requiring the reader to confront the principle of direct moral accountability.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
Cross-references
- Psalms 24:4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.
- Psalms 58:11 Then men will say, “There is surely a reward for the righteous! There is surely a God who judges the earth!”
- Matthew 6:4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
- 1 Corinthians 3:8 He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.
- Job 22:30 He will deliver even one who is not innocent, rescuing him through the cleanness of your hands.”
- Proverbs 11:18 The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
- Psalms 7:3 O LORD my God, if I have done this, if injustice is on my hands,
- Psalms 7:8 The LORD judges the peoples; vindicate me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and integrity.
- Psalms 18:24 So the LORD has repaid me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight.
- Isaiah 49:4 But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent My strength in futility and vanity; yet My vindication is with the LORD, and My reward is with My God.”