Psalms 18:20-24

Psalms 18:20-24

[20] The LORD  rewarded  me according to my righteousness;  according to the cleanness  of my hands  hath he recompensed  me. [21] For I have kept  the ways  of the LORD,  and have not wickedly departed  from my God.  [22] For all his judgments  were before me, and I did not put away  his statutes  [23] I was also upright  before him, and I kept  myself from mine iniquity.  [24] Therefore hath the LORD  recompensed  me according to my righteousness,  according to the cleanness  of my hands  in his eyesight. 

What does Psalms 18:20-24 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

As God had promised to bless those of His people who walked in obedience to His will ( Deuteronomy 28), so he blessed David who followed the Lord faithfully. By recounting his own righteousness David was not implying that he merited God"s favor simply because of his good works. He was showing God"s faithfulness to His covenant promises to Israel. These verses would have encouraged the Israelites to follow David"s example of righteous behavior so they, too, would experience God"s favor (cf. 2 Timothy 4:6-8).
". . . David could quite properly use this language within a limited frame of reference, [1] the Messiah could use it absolutely; and the psalm is ultimately Messianic ..." [2]