◄ 2 Samuel 22:25 ►
So the LORD has repaid me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in His sight.
Study Bible
So the LORD has repaid me
This phrase reflects the principle of divine retribution, where God rewards individuals based on their actions. In the context of David's life, it acknowledges God's faithfulness in delivering him from his enemies. This concept is echoed in other scriptures, such as Proverbs 11:18, which speaks of the righteous being rewarded. It also aligns with the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where obedience leads to blessings.

according to my righteousness
David speaks of his righteousness, which in the Old Testament context often refers to living in accordance with God's laws and commands. While David was not sinless, his heart was aligned with God, as seen in 1 Samuel 13:14, where he is described as a man after God's own heart. This righteousness is not self-proclaimed but recognized by God, highlighting the importance of sincerity and integrity in one's relationship with Him.

according to my cleanness
The term "cleanness" here refers to moral purity and integrity. In the cultural and religious context of ancient Israel, cleanness was a significant concept, often associated with ritual purity. However, David's reference is more about ethical and spiritual purity. This idea is further supported by Psalm 24:3-4, which speaks of those with clean hands and a pure heart being able to stand in God's holy place.

in His sight
This phrase emphasizes that true righteousness and cleanness are determined by God's perspective, not human standards. It underscores the belief that God sees and knows the heart, as stated in 1 Samuel 16:7, where God looks at the heart rather than outward appearances. This divine perspective ensures that God's judgments are just and true, aligning with His nature as a righteous judge.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of this song of praise, David is reflecting on his life and God's deliverance. He acknowledges God's justice in rewarding him for his righteousness.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is portrayed as a just and righteous judge, rewarding David according to his righteousness.

3. Israel
The nation over which David ruled as king. This song is part of David's reflection on his reign and God's faithfulness to him and the nation.

4. The Song of Deliverance
This chapter is a song of praise and thanksgiving by David, celebrating God's deliverance from his enemies and Saul.

5. Righteousness and Cleanness
These terms refer to David's moral and ethical conduct, which he claims align with God's standards.
Teaching Points
God's Justice and Righteousness
God is just and rewards those who live righteously. This should encourage believers to pursue righteousness in their daily lives.

Self-Reflection and Integrity
Like David, believers should regularly reflect on their lives and strive to maintain integrity and purity before God.

God's Faithfulness
God's faithfulness to David is a reminder that He is faithful to His promises and will deliver those who trust in Him.

The Role of Grace
While David speaks of his righteousness, it is important to remember that it is ultimately God's grace that enables us to live righteously.

Living in God's Sight
Believers are called to live with an awareness of God's presence, striving to be clean and righteous in His sight.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does David's understanding of righteousness and cleanness in God's sight challenge or affirm your own understanding of these concepts?

2. In what ways can you pursue righteousness in your daily life, and how does this passage encourage you to do so?

3. How does the concept of God repaying according to righteousness align with the New Testament teachings on grace and works?

4. Reflect on a time when you felt God rewarded you for your faithfulness. How does this experience relate to David's song of deliverance?

5. How can you cultivate a heart that is clean and righteous in God's sight, and what practical steps can you take to maintain this purity?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 18
This psalm is almost identical to 2 Samuel 22 and provides additional context to David's praise and acknowledgment of God's justice.

Job 33:26
This verse speaks of God restoring a person to righteousness, similar to how David feels restored and rewarded by God.

Matthew 5:8
Jesus speaks of the pure in heart seeing God, which connects to the idea of cleanness in God's sight.

1 Samuel 26:23
David speaks of the LORD rewarding every man for his righteousness and faithfulness, echoing the sentiment in 2 Samuel 22:25.
Sermons
Abundant Cause for ThanksgivingChristian Endeavour Times2 Samuel 22:1-51
David's Song of PraiseB. Dale 2 Samuel 22:1-51
Psalm SingingA. Whyte, D. D.2 Samuel 22:1-51
The Song of ThanksgivingW. G. Blaikie, D. D.2 Samuel 22:1-51
God Rewarding the RighteousG. Wood 2 Samuel 22:21-25
People
David, Saul
Places
Gath
Topics
Clean, Cleanness, Eye, Eyesight, Eye-sight, Hands, Recompensed, Returneth, Reward, Rewarded, Righteousness, Sight
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Samuel 22:25

     5499   reward, divine

2 Samuel 22:2-51

     8609   prayer, as praise and thanksgiving

2 Samuel 22:21-25

     8201   blamelessness

Library
David's Hymn of victory
'For Thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that, rose up against me hast Thou subdued under me. 41. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me. 42. They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the Lord, but He answered them not. 43. Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad. 44. Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, Thou hast …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Mosaic Cosmogony.
ON the revival of science in the 16th century, some of the earliest conclusions at which philosophers arrived were found to be at variance with popular and long-established belief. The Ptolemaic system of astronomy, which had then full possession of the minds of men, contemplated the whole visible universe from the earth as the immovable centre of things. Copernicus changed the point of view, and placing the beholder in the sun, at once reduced the earth to an inconspicuous globule, a merely subordinate …
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World

The First Commandment
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Why is the commandment in the second person singular, Thou? Why does not God say, You shall have no other gods? Because the commandment concerns every one, and God would have each one take it as spoken to him by name. Though we are forward to take privileges to ourselves, yet we are apt to shift off duties from ourselves to others; therefore the commandment is in the second person, Thou and Thou, that every one may know that it is spoken to him, …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

In the Present Crusade against the Bible and the Faith of Christian Men...
IN the present crusade against the Bible and the Faith of Christian men, the task of destroying confidence in the first chapter of Genesis has been undertaken by Mr. C. W. Goodwin, M.A. He requires us to "regard it as the speculation of some Hebrew Descartes or Newton, promulgated in all good faith as the best and most probable account that could be then given of God's Universe." (p. 252.) Mr. Goodwin remarks with scorn, that "we are asked to believe that a vision of Creation was presented to him …
John William Burgon—Inspiration and Interpretation

A Discourse of Mercifulness
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 These verses, like the stairs of Solomon's temple, cause our ascent to the holy of holies. We are now mounting up a step higher. Blessed are the merciful . . '. There was never more need to preach of mercifulness than in these unmerciful times wherein we live. It is reported in the life of Chrysostom that he preached much on this subject of mercifulness, and for his much pressing Christians to mercy, he was called of many, the alms-preacher, …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Ark among the Flags
'And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. 2. And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. 3. And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink. 4. And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. 5. And the daughter of Pharaoh came …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Christ's Prophetic Office
'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet,' &c. Deut 18:85. Having spoken of the person of Christ, we are next to speak of the offices of Christ. These are Prophetic, Priestly, and Regal. 'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet.' Enunciatur hic locus de Christo. It is spoken of Christ.' There are several names given to Christ as a Prophet. He is called the Counsellor' in Isa 9:9. In uno Christo Angelus foederis completur [The Messenger of the Covenant appears in Christ alone]. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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