Psalms 18:20-25
Verse 20. The Lord rewarded me] David proceeds to give the reasons why God had so marvellously interposed in his behalf. According to my righteousness] Instead of being an enemy to Saul, I was his friend. I dealt righteously with him while he dealt unrighteously with me. Verse 21. I have kept the ways of the Lord] I was neither an infidel nor a profligate; I trusted in God, and carefully observed all the ordinances of his religion. Verse 22. All his judgments were before me] I kept his law before my eyes, that I might see my duty and know how to walk and please God. Verse 23. I was also upright] The times in which David was most afflicted were the times of his greatest uprightness. Adversity was always to him a time of spiritual prosperity. Mine iniquity.] Probably meaning what is generally termed the easily-besetting sin; the sin of his constitution, or that to which the temperament of his body most powerfully disposed him. What this was, is a subject of useless conjecture. Verse 25. With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful] Thou wilt deal with men as they deal with each other. This is the general tenor of God's providential conduct towards mankind; well expressed by Mr. Pope in his universal prayer:- "Teach me to feel another's wo; To hide the fault I see: The mercy I to others show, That mercy show to me." It is in reference to this that our Lord teaches us to pray: "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us." If we act feelingly and mercifully towards our fellow creatures, God will act tenderly and compassionately towards us. The merciful, the upright, and the pure, will ever have the God of mercy, uprightness, and purity, to defend and support them.
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