How does 2 Samuel 22:21 connect with Psalm 18:20 on divine recompense? \A Shared Lyric of David\ “The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He has repaid me.” (2 Samuel 22:21) “The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; He has repaid me according to the cleanness of my hands.” (Psalm 18:20) \One Song, Two Locations\ • 2 Samuel 22 and Psalm 18 record the same victory hymn David sang after God rescued him from Saul and every enemy. • The Spirit preserved the lyric twice, underlining its truth about how God deals with His people. \Divine Recompense Explained\ • “Rewarded…repaid” translates the Hebrew gāmal—to deal out, to requite, to return in kind. • God actively balances the moral ledger; He pays back righteousness with deliverance and blessing (cf. Psalm 62:12). \Righteousness and Cleanness Clarified\ • David is not claiming sinless perfection (see Psalm 51); he is declaring covenant faithfulness in the specific crisis with Saul. • “Cleanness of my hands” speaks of innocent conduct toward his persecutor (1 Samuel 24:11; 26:23). \Scripture’s Consistent Principle\ • Proverbs 11:18—“The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.” • Isaiah 3:10–11—blessing to the righteous, woe to the wicked. • Romans 2:6—“He will repay each one according to his deeds.” • Galatians 6:7–8—sowing and reaping remain in force. \Christ and Perfect Recompense\ • Christ fulfilled the only flawless righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21); our ultimate reward rests in Him (Colossians 3:23–24). • Yet God still notices and answers the day-to-day integrity of His children (1 Peter 3:12). \Take-away Truths\ • God’s payback is real—both in time and eternity. • Personal holiness positions believers for His timely intervention. • When falsely accused, we can echo David: trust God to settle the score rather than taking revenge (Romans 12:19). \Living the Verse\ • Guard clean hands—deal honestly, refuse shady shortcuts. • Maintain a righteous heart—stay repentant, quick to obey. • Expect God’s faithful recompense—He still rewards the upright and frustrates the wicked (Psalm 34:15–16). |
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