2 Samuel 22:27
New International Version
to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.

New Living Translation
To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.

English Standard Version
with the purified you deal purely, and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous.

Berean Standard Bible
to the pure You show Yourself pure, but to the crooked You show Yourself shrewd.

King James Bible
With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.

New King James Version
With the pure You will show Yourself pure; And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd.

New American Standard Bible
With the one who is pure You show Yourself pure, But with the perverted You show Yourself astute.

NASB 1995
With the pure You show Yourself pure, And with the perverted You show Yourself astute.

NASB 1977
With the pure Thou dost show Thyself pure, And with the perverted Thou dost show Thyself astute.

Legacy Standard Bible
With the pure You show Yourself pure, And with the crooked You show Yourself astute.

Amplified Bible
“With the pure You show Yourself pure, With the perverted You show Yourself astute.

Christian Standard Bible
with the pure you prove yourself pure, but with the crooked you prove yourself shrewd.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
with the pure You prove Yourself pure, but with the crooked You prove Yourself shrewd.

American Standard Version
With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; And with the perverse thou wilt show thyself froward.

Contemporary English Version
With all who are sincere you are sincere, but you treat the unfaithful as their deeds deserve.

English Revised Version
With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the perverse thou wilt shew thyself froward.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
with pure people you are pure. [In dealing] with devious people you are clever.

Good News Translation
You are pure to those who are pure, but hostile to those who are wicked.

International Standard Version
In the company of the pure you demonstrate your purity. In the company of the perverted you will appear to be perverse.

Majority Standard Bible
to the pure You show Yourself pure, but to the crooked You show Yourself shrewd.

NET Bible
You prove to be reliable to one who is blameless, but you prove to be deceptive to one who is perverse.

New Heart English Bible
With the pure you show yourself pure. And with the crooked you show yourself tortuous.

Webster's Bible Translation
With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt contend.

World English Bible
With the pure you will show yourself pure. With the crooked you will show yourself shrewd.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
With the pure You show Yourself pure, "" And with the perverse You show Yourself a wrestler.

Young's Literal Translation
With the pure Thou shewest Thyself pure, And with the perverse Thou shewest Thyself a wrestler.

Smith's Literal Translation
With the chosen thou wilt be chosen, And with the perverse thou wilt be unseasoned.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
With the elect thou wilt be elect: and with the perverse thou wilt be perverted.

Catholic Public Domain Version
With the elect one, you will be elect, and with the perverse one, you will be perverse.

New American Bible
Toward the sincere you are sincere; but to the perverse you are devious.

New Revised Standard Version
with the pure you show yourself pure, and with the crooked you show yourself perverse.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the perverse thou wilt show thyself perverse.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And with the pure man you shall be pure and with the crooked you will be distorted
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
With the pure Thou dost show Thyself pure; And with the crooked Thou dost show Thyself subtle.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and with the excellent thou wilt be excellent, and with the froward thou will be froward.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David's Song of Deliverance
26To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless; 27to the pure You show Yourself pure, but to the crooked You show Yourself shrewd. 28You save an afflicted people, but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down.…

Cross References
Psalm 18:25-26
To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless; / to the pure You show Yourself pure, but to the crooked You show Yourself shrewd.

Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Proverbs 3:34
He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.

James 4:6
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Matthew 7:2
For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.

Hosea 14:9
Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous walk in them but the rebellious stumble in them.

Isaiah 29:19
The humble will increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 24:4
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.

Psalm 73:1
A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

Proverbs 11:20
The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.

Proverbs 22:11
He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend.

Isaiah 26:7
The path of the righteous is level; You clear a straight path for the upright.


Treasury of Scripture

With the pure you will show yourself pure; and with the fraudulent you will show yourself unsavory.

the pure

Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

forward

Leviticus 26:23-28
And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; …

Deuteronomy 28:51-61
And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee…

Psalm 125:5
As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.

shew thyself unsavoury.

Exodus 18:11
Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.

Psalm 18:26
With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.

Isaiah 45:9
Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

Jump to Previous
Astute Contend Contrary Crooked Froward Hard Holy Judge Perverse Perverted Pure Shew Shewest Show Shrewd Straight Subtle Thyself Unsavory Way Wilt Wrestler
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Astute Contend Contrary Crooked Froward Hard Holy Judge Perverse Perverted Pure Shew Shewest Show Shrewd Straight Subtle Thyself Unsavory Way Wilt Wrestler
2 Samuel 22
1. David's psalm of thanksgiving for God's deliverance and blessings














to the pure You show Yourself pure
This phrase highlights the reciprocal nature of God's relationship with humanity. In biblical context, purity often refers to moral and spiritual integrity. The pure in heart are those who seek God sincerely and live according to His commandments. Psalm 18:26 echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that God reveals His true nature to those who are upright. The purity mentioned here can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate example of purity and righteousness. Jesus, in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:8), states, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God," reinforcing the idea that purity allows one to perceive God's true character.

but to the crooked You show Yourself shrewd
The term "crooked" refers to those who are morally twisted or deceitful. In the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, crookedness was often associated with idolatry and injustice. God's shrewdness towards the crooked can be understood as His ability to outwit and judge those who oppose His ways. This reflects the wisdom literature, such as Proverbs 3:34, which states, "He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed." God's shrewdness is not deceitful but rather a demonstration of His justice and sovereignty. This phrase also connects to the broader biblical narrative where God often uses the schemes of the wicked to fulfill His purposes, as seen in the story of Joseph and his brothers (Genesis 50:20).

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of this song of praise, David is reflecting on God's deliverance and faithfulness throughout his life. This chapter is a song of thanksgiving for God's protection and justice.

2. God
The central figure in this passage, God is depicted as responding to individuals according to their character. His nature is consistent, yet His interactions vary based on the moral state of the people.

3. Israel
The nation over which David ruled, often experiencing God's deliverance and judgment based on their faithfulness or rebellion.

4. The Pure
Those who are morally upright and sincere in their devotion to God. They experience God's purity and faithfulness.

5. The Crooked
Those who are deceitful and morally corrupt. They encounter God's shrewdness, which can be understood as His wisdom in dealing with the wicked.
Teaching Points
God's Consistent Nature
God's character does not change, but His interactions with us reflect our own moral and spiritual state. This calls us to examine our hearts and align ourselves with His purity.

The Importance of Purity
Purity is not just about external actions but the condition of the heart. A pure heart allows us to experience God's purity and faithfulness more fully.

God's Justice and Wisdom
God's shrewdness with the crooked demonstrates His wisdom and justice. He cannot be deceived, and His dealings with the wicked are always just.

Self-Reflection and Repentance
This verse encourages us to reflect on our own lives. Are we living in purity, or are there areas of crookedness that need repentance?

The Reciprocal Nature of Our Relationship with God
Our relationship with God is dynamic. As we grow in purity and sincerity, we experience more of His true nature.(27) Unsavoury.--Rather, froward, for although the form here is anomalous, it is the same word, and has the same reference to the previous word as in the psalm.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
to
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

the pure
נָבָ֖ר (nā·ḇār)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1305: To clarify, examine, select

You show Yourself pure,
תִּתָּבָ֑ר (tit·tā·ḇār)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1305: To clarify, examine, select

but to
וְעִם־ (wə·‘im-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

the crooked
עִקֵּ֖שׁ (‘iq·qêš)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6141: Twisted, perverted

You show Yourself shrewd.
תִּתַּפָּֽל׃ (tit·tap·pāl)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6617: To twine, to struggle, be, tortuous


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OT History: 2 Samuel 22:27 With the pure you will show yourself (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 22:26
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