Psalm 18:21-35

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 18:20-28

Here, I. David reflects with comfort upon his own integrity, and rejoices in the testimony of his conscience that he had had his conversation in godly sincerity and not with fleshly wisdom, 2 Cor. 1:12. His deliverances were an evidence of this, and this was the great comfort of his deliverances. His enemies had misrepresented him, and perhaps, when his troubles continued long, he began to suspect himself; but, when God visibly took his part, he had both the credit and the comfort of his... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 18:29-50

In these verses, I. David looks back, with thankfulness, upon the great things which God had done for him. He had not only wrought deliverance for him, but had given him victory and success, and made him triumph over those who thought to triumph over him. When we set ourselves to praise God for one mercy we must be led by that to observe the many more with which we have been compassed about, and followed, all our days. Many things had contributed to David's advancement, and he owns the hand of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:21

For I have kept the ways of the Lord ,.... Not those which the Lord himself walks in, his ways of providence, or of grace; though these are and should be taken notice of and observed by good men, as the word F25 שמרתי "observaveram", Tigurine version, Vatablus; "observo", Junius & Tremellius; "observavi", Gejerus, Michaelis; so Ainsworth. used will bear to be rendered; but the ways which he has prescribed and directed men to walk in, the ways of his commandments, in which they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:22

For all his judgments were before me ,.... That is, the precepts of the law of God, which David had a respect unto, loved, took delight and pleasure in, and so had them all in his sight, and made them the rule of his actions; and the law of God is delighted in by regenerate persons, after the inward man; and though it is abolished as a covenant of works, it is a rule of walk and conversation to the saints; and as such they keep it in view, and regard it impartially, not only some of its... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:23

I was also upright before him ,.... In heart and conversation, being sincere and faithful; so David was in the sight of God; but this is much more true of Christ, in whom there was no unrighteousness nor guile, neither in his heart, nor in his lips; he was of perfect integrity, and faithful in all things to him that appointed him; and I kept myself from mine iniquity ; which some interpret of original sin, in which David was born, which dwelt in him, and prompted him to sin; but rather... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:24

Therefore hath the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness ,.... Having proved and supported this proposition by the above reasons, it is repeated, for confirmation's sake; according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight ; this phrase, "in his eyesight", is here added, to show that the righteousness of Christ was clean, pure, and spotless in the sight of God; in the eye of divine justice: hence those that are clothed with it are holy and unblamable, and irreprovable in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:25

With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful ,.... The merciful man is the good, gracious, holy, and godly man, as the word F26 חסיד "benigno", Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius; "bono", Gejerus, some in Vatablus; "qui bonitati studet", Tigurine version; "pio", Munster, Cocceius, Michaelis; "gracious saint", Ainsworth. here used signifies, and is sometimes rendered; one that has received grace and mercy from the Lord, and has principles of grace and goodness wrought in him, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:26

With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure ,.... None of Adam's posterity are pure by nature; they are all defiled with sin; and though some are pure in their own eyes, they are far from being cleansed from their filthiness; such only are pure who are sanctified by the Spirit of God, have clean hearts created in them, and whose hearts are purified by faith in the blood of Christ; who are justified by Christ's righteousness, and are washed from their sins in his blood; and who, in consequence... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:27

For thou wilt save the afflicted people ,.... As the people of God commonly are; they are afflicted with sin, and the corruption of their own hearts, and with Satan and his temptations, and with the world, its reproaches, and persecutions; but God in his own time saves them out of them, if not here, yet hereafter. This is particularly and eminently true of the Christians who lived between the crucifixion of Christ and the destruction of Jerusalem; who were greatly afflicted and persecuted by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 18:28

For thou wilt light my candle ,.... Or lamp F4 נרי "lucernam meam", Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, &c.; : in 2 Samuel 22:29 , it is, "Thou art my lamp, O Lord"; which may either design outward prosperity, and the flourishing condition of David's kingdom; or internal spiritual light, and an increase of it, by giving fresh supplies of the oil of grace, to cause the lamp to burn more clearly; or rather the prosperous estate of Christ's kingdom; and may be... read more

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