God’s Word for Today

8 Aug 2023

Vindicate me, O LORD,

    for I have walked in my integrity,

    and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.

2 Prove me, O LORD, and try me;

    test my heart and my mind.

3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes,

    and I walk in your faithfulness.

4 I do not sit with men of falsehood,

    nor do I consort with hypocrites.

5 I hate the assembly of evildoers,

    and I will not sit with the wicked.

6 I wash my hands in innocence

    and go around your altar, O LORD,

7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,

    and telling all your wondrous deeds.

8 O LORD, I love the habitation of your house

    and the place where your glory dwells.

9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,

    nor my life with bloodthirsty men,

10 in whose hands are evil devices,

    and whose right hands are full of bribes.

11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;

    redeem me, and be gracious to me.

12 My foot stands on level ground;

    in the great assembly I will bless the LORD.

-Psa 26:1-12 ESV

VINDICATE ME O LORD

David was maligned. Otherwise, he shouldn’t have asked God to vindicate him. David claims to have walked consistently with integrity so that he was not hypocritical. A man full of integrity doesn’t mean he is perfect. He knew he has settled his sins before the Lord and is forgiven.

He asks the Lord to search him and see that his claim is substantiated. Such is the man of integrity before God. He is bold and courageous. Not because of his inherent propensity to be holy and blameless. But, for the steadfast love and faithfulness of the Lord. There was no self-aggrandizement but exalt God.

He narrated what he does not do. That is,

“4 I do not sit with men of falsehood,

    nor do I consort with hypocrites.

I hate the assembly of evildoers,

    and I will not sit with the wicked.

I wash my hands in innocence”[v.4-6]

He is such a blessed man[Psa 1:1] He distanced himself with these men by saying,

9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,

    nor my life with bloodthirsty men,

10 in whose hands are evil devices,

    and whose right hands are full of bribes.[v.9,10]

Did not Jesus desire us to be holy also? He prayed, "I do not ask that you take them out of the world…They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world" (John 17:15–16). Why? The world's culture is characterized with evil desires, that is,  "the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life." Contrariwise, the believer's delight is to do God's will (John 7:17).

Not only on what he does not do but a believer should be noted by what he is doing. Thus David claims’

“I wash my hands in innocence

    and go around your altar, O Lord,

proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,

    and telling all your wondrous deeds.

O Lord, I love the habitation of your house

    and the place where your glory dwells.” [v.6-8]

He was occupied with praise and worship. A busy man in the Lord has no time for the devil anymore. His heart is on full throttle unto the Lord.

David's pursuit of holiness was neither sporadic nor was it temporary. His sincere devotion to God was the regular pattern of his life, was it not?  He chose to be a man of integrity because he relied on God’s redemption and grace.[v.11]. In this, he confidently claims he is standing on ‘level ground.’ In Psalm 143:10 David prays, "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!" The believer cannot slip from the path of righteousness if he is submissive to God's will and obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

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God’s Word for Today

7 Aug 2023

-Psa 25:1-22 ESV

MAKE ME TO KNOW YOUR WAYS, O LORD

David ‘lift up his soul’ unto the Lord, signifying this prayer as an intense one. He prayed with great confidence.[v.3] He faces a perilous situation so he asked the Lord to preserve him from disgrace, either inflicted by his enemies.[v.2-3], even from his own failings.

“The troubles of my heart are enlarged;

    bring me out of my distresses.

Consider my affliction and my trouble,

    and forgive all my sins.

Consider how many are my foes,

    and with what violent hatred they hate me.

Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!

    Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.” [v.17-20]

Then, David, not acting out of impulse, expresses his request for guidance, saying, “ Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.”[v.4]  Life is a journey not a single step so His guidance is crucial [Prov 3:5,6] He further asked, “Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you, I wait all the day long.”[v.5]. Notedly, to David, prayer and scriptures are vital. Even Jesus emphasized this in John 15:7.

Where did he base his confidence?  David recited then…Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. [v.6]….according to your steadfast love remember me….for the sake of your goodness, O LORD! [v.7]…..Good and upright is the LORD[v.8]….All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness. [v.10] To David, God’s ‘chesed.’ He is irresistibly good.

This is true, however, to the humble and one who fears Him only. As David expressed’

“He leads the humble in what is right,

    and teaches the humble his way.”[v.9] 

“Who is the man who fears the LORD?

    Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.”[v.12]

“The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him,

    and he makes known to them his covenant.”[v.14]

In great confidence, he ends this prayer, saying,

“May integrity and uprightness preserve me,

    for I wait for you.

Redeem Israel, O God,

    out of all his troubles.”[v.21,22]

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Text: Psalm 24:1-10

1 The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,

2 for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?

4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

7 Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!

9 Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah

-Psa 24:1-10 ESV

THE LORD OF HOSTS, HE IS THE KING OF GLORY!

Reminiscent of God’s declaration to Moses that ‘all the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord.’ [Num 14:21] But, David’s phraseology indicates “the earth is the Lord’s and all it contains[its fullness]”

What kind of people would God delight with? The answer in verses 3-6 almost corresponds to Psa 15.

“3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?

4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah”

In v.7-10, the focus is on exalting the king’s military glory, as indicated by the repeated word ‘mighty.’ The ‘gates’ and ‘ancient doors’ should be wide open for the coming of ‘The King of Glory.’ He is the divine Messianic King, taking His seat in the temple after His military victories at the end of days.

The ‘Lord of hosts’ is presented as the mightiest warrior King returning in victory. The title reflects the truth that, although David was their king in Jerusalem, their real king was Yahweh. Later in fulfillment to prophecy, the glorious king who will enter Jerusalem is the Lord Jesus. Paul expressed that He is the Lord of heaven and earth by virtue of creation and redemption. In Col 1:15–17, Paul describes Jesus as having created everything in heaven and on earth, not only visible objects but invisible, which include the angelic host. Jesus holds everything together.

Someday the Lord of hosts will return to earth with mighty angels to execute judgment on unbelievers and to reign from the throne of David (Isa 9:6–7). He will strike down the nations. As in the vision of John,

“ From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”[Rev 19:15,16]

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Text: Psalm 23:1-6

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

-Psa 23:1-6 ESV

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

In Psa 22, wherein we learned David relating his suffering with the view in the future about the suffering of Messiah. Evidently, there is a twist here. David extols the Lord by claiming, “The Lord is my Shepherd.”[v.1]

What does it mean for David that the Lord is his shepherd?

David doesn’t feel a lack at all. In the Lord, he has had sufficiency in times of abundance and adversities. God’s abundant grace is described as; “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul.” [v.2-3]

Green pastures…still waters…are imageries of God’s tender loving care. The Lord wants His children to enjoy His blessings. That is just, He led him there in order to be lavished with His refreshing grace and goodness of the pleasures of life. Ravaged by a lot of wars, David has been wearied so that his soul needs to be restored.

However, he would lead us to ‘paths of righteousness’ wherein there are challenges. As David expressed, “He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”[v.3-4]

The shepherd’s sufficiency is expressed in His presence, power and provision. Thus David said, “I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.’[v.4-5]

And in great confidence, David expressed his assurance by saying, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”[v.6]

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Text: Psalm 22:1-11 (ESV)

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,

and by night, but I find no rest.

3 Yet you are holy,

enthroned on the praises of Israel.

4 In you our fathers trusted;

they trusted, and you delivered them.

5 To you they cried and were rescued;

in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

6 But I am a worm and not a man,

scorned by mankind and despised by the people.

7 All who see me mock me;

they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;

8 “He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him;

let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”

9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb;

you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.

10 On you was I cast from my birth,

and from my mother's womb you have been my God.

11 Be not far from me,

for trouble is near,

and there is none to help.

MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?

Certainly, David was writing about his experience of suffering and anguish. However, this psalm transcends his experiences or to that of his contemporaries.

Take, for example, David wasn’t brought to the ‘dust of the earth.’ [v.15, ‘’hands and feet were not pierced’[v.16] and ‘his garments wasn’t subjected to a cast of lot’[v.18]. These particular descriptions fit Jesus’s crucifixion, which David has alluded unto.

Psa 22, is divided into two-fold emphasis. It began with the suffering Messiah [v.1-21] and is followed by the Exalted Messiah [v.22-31] Both Matthew and Mark recorded these words ‘My God, my God why hast you forsaken me?’, given in original Aramaic. The reason perhaps is to highlight that Jesus became the sin offering.

How did God the Father forsake Jesus? Most probably, the reason was emotional. Jesus understood the reason for His suffering. ‘God can not look with approval upon sin, as Habakkuk says. [Hab 1:13] Thus, Jesus did not become literally sin, but He was a ‘sin offering’ He became our substitute.

David elaborated some predictive references of the Messiah, such as, all my bones are out of joint, my heart is like wax.. melted within me[v.14].. strength is absent as moisture in a potsherd, You lay me in the dust of death [v.15] and pierced my hands and feet [v.16]. Thus, there is this seeking of God’s presence to be near [v.19] expressed for only God can help [v.19-21]

In v.22-26, there is a dramatic shift. The exalted Messiah will praise God.

“I will tell of your name to my brothers, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: Verse 23 says, “ You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!”

Moreover, the nations will exalt the Messiah.

“All the ends of the earth shall remember

and turn to the LORD,

and all the families of the nations

shall worship before you.

28 For kingship belongs to the LORD,

and he rules over the nations.”[v.27,28]

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Text: Psalm 21:1-13

O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices,

and in your salvation how greatly he exults!

2 You have given him his heart's desire

and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah

3 For you meet him with rich blessings;

you set a crown of fine gold upon his head.

4 He asked life of you; you gave it to him,

length of days forever and ever.

5 His glory is great through your salvation;

splendor and majesty you bestow on him.

6 For you make him most blessed forever;

you make him glad with the joy of your presence.

7 For the king trusts in the LORD,

and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.

8 Your hand will find out all your enemies;

your right hand will find out those who hate you.

9 You will make them as a blazing oven

when you appear.

The LORD will swallow them up in his wrath,

and fire will consume them.

10 You will destroy their descendants from the earth,

and their offspring from among the children of man.

11 Though they plan evil against you,

though they devise mischief, they will not succeed.

12 For you will put them to flight;

you will aim at their faces with your bows.

13 Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength!

We will sing and praise your power.

BE EXALTED, O LORD, IN YOUR STRENGTH!

This is a Messianic psalm. David began by affirming that it is only in God’s strength that a king could [and would] be glad. That is, the Lord is the true satisfaction in his royal office. Definitely, He credited that only in His salvation can the king truly rejoice. See v.1-6. The key is trust in God’s steadfast love. As David says,

“For the king trusts in the LORD,

and through the steadfast love of the Most High, he shall not be moved.”[v.7]

As believers, we may experience setbacks but nothing can separate us from God's love revealed in the Lord Jesus. As Paul assured, "In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us….neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 8:37-39).

To be humble is not easy when a person is surrounded by great accolades of power and wealth, is it? Humility is rare among us. Yet, it was very prominent In the Messiah’s life. Jesus was always obedient and submissive to the Father.

In v.8-12, David anticipates the coming judgment the Lord will do to his enemies by his powerful hand. He said.. “Your hand… your right hand…’ speaks of authority and power. [v.8] The plans of the wicked won’t succeed.[v.11]

As a bookend, David concluded and resolved in praise and worship, saying,

“Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength!

We will sing and praise your power.”[v.13]

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God’s Word for Today

1 Aug 2023

May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble!

    May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!

2 May he send you help from the sanctuary

    and give you support from Zion!

3 May he remember all your offerings

    and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah

4 May he grant you your heart's desire

    and fulfill all your plans

5 May we shout for joy over your salvation,

    and in the name of our God set up our banners!

May the LORD fulfill all your petitions!

6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;

    he will answer him from his holy heaven

    with the saving might of his right hand.

7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

    but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

8 They collapse and fall,

    but we rise and stand upright.

9 O LORD, save the king!

    May he answer us when we call.

-Psa 20:1-9 ESV

WE TRUST IN THE NAME OF THE LORD

The king is anticipating a ‘day of trouble’[v.1,9]  The people were pleading and looking forward to celebrating the victory God would bring through their king (Psa 20:1–5). The people pleaded that God would grant the kings plans and desires [Prov 3:5,6]. 

Today, we ought also to pray for our government officials and other leaders regardless of their political views or spiritual status, should we not? [1 Tim 2:1] The authority does not rest upon an earthly ruler but on the Sovereign King! "Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth" (Psa 124:8).

David responded to the congregation's prayers for him by assuring the people that God delivers His anointed.[v.6] He knew the Lord would answer him from heaven and reach down with His mighty right hand to protect him from the enemy. God would send help from the sanctuary and Zion (v.2), but He would also send help from heaven, God’s dwelling place.

In His covenant, the Lord assured David, "I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you" (2 Sam 7:9). And, that he would have rest from all his enemies (2 Sam 7:11). David took the Lord's words at face value because He believed God fully. He was so sure the Lord would grant him victory in the upcoming battle. Do we have such faith? We live by God’s promises.

The world may trust any means from the world’s best ‘chariots and horses’. However, David expressed his absolute trust in God alone.[v.7]. All the forces of the world would collapse – flat and gone. But, David expressed, “we rise and stand upright.” Did he mean here about the defeat of the Amalekites or Goliath?

In Psa 33:17-19, "The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might, it cannot rescue. Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine." Thus, in our struggles, we must not rely on our own resources but trust in the Lord. Why? "He is our help and our shield" (Psa 33:20).

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God’s Word for Today

31 July 2023

The heavens declare the glory of God,

    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

2 Day to day pours out speech,

    and night to night reveals knowledge.

3 There is no speech, nor are there words,

    whose voice is not heard.

4 Their voice goes out through all the earth,

    and their words to the end of the world.

In them he has set a tent for the sun,

5     which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,

    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.

6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,

    and its circuit to the end of them,

    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,

    reviving the soul;

the testimony of the Lord is sure,

    making wise the simple;

8 the precepts of the Lord are right,

    rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the Lord is pure,

    enlightening the eyes;

9 the fear of the Lord is clean,

    enduring forever;

the rules of the Lord are true,

    and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold,

    even much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey

    and drippings of the honeycomb.

11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;

    in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors?

    Declare me innocent from hidden faults.

13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;

    let them not have dominion over me!

Then I shall be blameless,

    and innocent of great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

    be acceptable in your sight,

    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

-Psa 19:1-14 ESV

FROM THE HEAVENS TO THE HEART

Apparently, David’s goal in this psalm is heartfelt worship of the Lord. It was his resolve. But what was his reason?

When he looked unto the skies and scriptures. Creation isn’t designed primarily for us. God’s glory is the primary reason, as David began this psalm, saying;

“The heavens declare the glory of God,

    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”

Creation speaks simply and clearly,  24/7 without fail that God is the designer. [v.3-4] The king of his creation is the sun[v.5-6]. There is nobody who could deny the ‘heat’ of the sun. 

The second revelation of God is the Scriptures which David loved in his heart. The 5 metaphors[ law, testimony, precepts, commandment, fear, and rules] had one commonality – perfection. Thus, it’s should be our most coveted treasure. David, concluded about its value by saying,

“ More to be desired are they than gold,

    even much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey

    and drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover, by them is your servant warned;

    in keeping them there is great reward.”[v.10,11]

These wonderful revelations had an awe-inspiring impact on David, a shepherd who meditated in the hills in broad daylight and night watches. Who won’t feel how insignificant we are before an awesome God? 

His prayers centered on the purity of his heart so he said;

“Who can discern his errors?

    Declare me innocent from hidden faults.

Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;

    let them not have dominion over me!

Then I shall be blameless,

    and innocent of great transgression”[v.12-13]

Is it not that presumptuousness is the most stubborn sin? It hides at the crevices of our hearts deceitfully.

In his reverential fear, he asked the Lord’s grace by pleading;

‘Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

    be acceptable in your sight,

    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”[v.14]

The revelations of God should prompt our reverence for God.

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Text: Psalm 18:30-50

30 This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

31 For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?—

32 the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless.

33 He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights.

34 He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

35 You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great.

36 You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip.

37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and did not turn back till they were consumed.

38 I thrust them through, so that they were not able to rise; they fell under my feet.

39 For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me.

40 You made my enemies turn their backs to me, and those who hated me I destroyed.

41 They cried for help, but there was none to save; they cried to the LORD, but he did not answer them.

42 I beat them fine as dust before the wind; I cast them out like the mire of the streets.

43 You delivered me from strife with the people; you made me the head of the nations; people whom I had not known served me.

44 As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me; foreigners came cringing to me.

45 Foreigners lost heart and came trembling out of their fortresses.

46 The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation—

47 the God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me,

48 who rescued me from my enemies; yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me; you delivered me from the man of violence.

49 For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing to your name.

50 Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.

-Psa 18:30-50 ESV

FOR WHO IS GOD, BUT THE LORD?

David’s question suggests that God is incomparable. He is David’s rock of refuge. This designation of God signifies a massive rock formation that is humanly impossible to move, such as a cliff, a quarry, or the side of the mountain.

David affirms God’s salvation is comprehensive – both external and spiritual salvation. David’s deliverance was solely because of God’s power he appropriated by faith and obedience. As David expressed,

“He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.”[v.34]

He acknowledged, “You have girded me with strength…You have subdued under me as well as his speed…I pursued my enemies and overtook them…I shattered them so that they were not able to rise.. I beat them fine as the dust before the wind.”

In v.43-45, David recognized God made him victorious and honored him. He said,” You have delivered me.. You have placed me as the head of nations.’

Even in v.46-50, David re-affirms his devotion to God. He blessed the Lord by saying,

“The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation.”[v.46]

In loving response to God’s acts of deliverance, David declared;

“ For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing to your name.

Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.”[v.49,50]

Later on, Paul quoted this in Rom 15:8-11 for having been fulfilled in the coming of the Messiah – the Lord Jesus Christ. This has proven that the word of the Lord to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was true and His mercy has extended to the Gentiles or the whole world.

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Text: Psalm 18:20-29

20 The LORD dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me.

21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

22 For all his rules were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me.

23 I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from my guilt.

24 So the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

25 With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless;

26 with the purified you show yourself pure; and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous.

27 For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down.

28 For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness.

29 For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.

-Psa 18:20-29 ESV

THE LORD HAS REWARDED ME ACCORDING TO MY RIGHTEOUSNESS

David attributed God’s actions to his righteous behavior. That is, God has rewarded him according to his righteousness. He did not claim sinlessness or perfection but presented his devotion to the Lord and live with integrity before God.

God is not interested only in the betterment of his outward life [physical, material, political, and military] but in his maturity in the inner life or spiritual life. This is indicated by David’s assertion in v.20-24, such as ‘according to my righteousness’[v20,24], ‘kept the ways of the Lord and not wickedly departing from God[v.1], following his rules and his statutes[v.22], being blameless and keeping himself from any guilt[v.23]. The ‘cleanness of his hands’ are only seen and perceived by God. In other words, God allowed these difficulties to make David a better[not bitter] person in the end.

In v.25-29, David shows the reciprocation of God to man’s godly action. He is merciful to those who are merciful. He proves blameless to the blameless. God would save the humble but bring down the haughty, In other words, obedience to God leads to blessing. And disobedience brings His judgment.

At the end of the day, David recognized that it was all by God’s grace. He expressed;

“For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.”[v.28,29]

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