Psalms 18:20 - Exposition

The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness . David has spoken of his "righteousness" already in Psalms 7:8 . We must not suppose him to mean absolute blamelessness, any more than Job means such blamelessness by his "integrity" ( Job 27:5 ; Job 31:6 ). He means honesty of purpose, the sincere endeavour to do right, such conduct as brings about "the answer of a good conscience before God" ( 1 Peter 3:21 ). According to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me (comp. Job 27:9 ; Psalms 24:4 ). "Clean hands" are hands unstained by any wicked action.