Bible Strands
Psalms 18:26
to the pure You show Yourself pure, but to the crooked You show Yourself shrewd.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God in a song of deliverance, describing how divine response mirrors human conduct.
The words — The Hebrew תִּתְבָּרָר (titbaraR) literally means "you show yourself pure," while תִּתְפַּתָּל (titpatTal) means "you show yourself twisted."
The thread — The text establishes a pattern of reciprocal divine posture found in Proverbs 3:34, Leviticus 26:23, and James 2:13.
Why it lands — The verse states that God matches His outward demeanor to a person’s moral state before demanding that readers align their conduct with that standard.
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
With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 3:34 He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.
- Leviticus 26:23 And if in spite of these things you do not accept My discipline, but continue to walk in hostility toward Me,
- James 2:13 For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
- Leviticus 26:27 But if in spite of all this you do not obey Me, but continue to walk in hostility toward Me,
- Psalms 109:17 The cursing that he loved, may it fall on him; the blessing in which he refused to delight, may it be far from him.
- Romans 2:4 Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?
- Romans 2:9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, first for the Jew, then for the Greek;