2 Samuel 22 25

2 Samuel 22:25 kjv

Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.

2 Samuel 22:25 nkjv

Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to my cleanness in His eyes.

2 Samuel 22:25 niv

The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight.

2 Samuel 22:25 esv

And the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight.

2 Samuel 22:25 nlt

The LORD rewarded me for doing right.
He has seen my innocence.

2 Samuel 22 verses

2 Samuel 22 25 Meaning

This verse expresses King David's declaration of vindication by God, stating that the LORD has rewarded him precisely in accordance with his integrity and purity of actions, as seen by God Himself. It is a confident assertion that God's justice aligns with David's blameless conduct, particularly concerning the circumstances from which he was delivered.

2 Samuel 22 25 Context

This verse is part of a magnificent song of thanksgiving that King David sings to the LORD after being delivered from all his enemies, especially from the hand of Saul (2 Sam 22:1). The entire chapter is almost identical to Psalm 18, highlighting its profound significance as a declaration of God's mighty deliverance and David's righteous standing before Him in the specific context of his persecution. David is not claiming sinless perfection, but rather affirming his integrity, loyalty to God, and blamelessness concerning the charges or accusations made by his enemies and against his conduct towards Saul, whom he consistently refused to harm despite opportunities (1 Sam 24, 26). He declares that his suffering was not due to a profound lack of faithfulness in this specific struggle, and therefore God justly vindicated him.

2 Samuel 22 25 Word analysis

• Therefore (Hebrew: ʿal-kēn, עַל־כֵּ֚ן): This introductory word functions as a conjunction, drawing a conclusion based on the preceding verses (2 Sam 22:21-24). It signifies a logical consequence: because David acted righteously and adhered to God's ways, the LORD responded in kind. It establishes a cause-and-effect relationship between David's conduct and God's action.
• the LORD (Hebrew: YHWH, יְהוָ֣ה): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship with David and His sovereign, active involvement as the righteous Judge. It signifies that it is not any mere power or human agent, but the ultimate divine authority, the God of Israel, who acts in justice.
• has recompensed me (Hebrew: yĕshuvēni, יְשֻׁבֵ֖נִי from shuv): This verb means "to return," "to repay," or "to restore." In this context, it implies a just repayment or requital. God is portrayed as one who rightly responds to human actions, granting a deserved outcome. It conveys divine vindication, where God gives David back his rightful status and position, overturning the unjust attempts of his enemies.
• according to my righteousness (Hebrew: kĕtsidqāti, כְּצִדְקָתִ֑י from tsedāqāh): The preposition kĕ- means "according to." Tsedāqāh refers to David's uprightness, integrity, and adherence to covenantal standards in the eyes of God. It's not about being free from all sin but specifically refers to his conduct in relation to his persecutors and his fidelity to God's command not to harm His anointed king. David asserts that his dealings were just and fair, especially regarding his obedience to God's law.
• according to my cleanness (Hebrew: kĕbōrī, כְּבֹרִ֖י from bor): Again, the preposition kĕ- means "according to." Bor refers to purity, especially freedom from moral or ceremonial defilement, often associated with clean hands (as explicitly stated in Ps 18:20 and 24 which mirrors this text, where "cleanness of my hands" is used). It indicates his innocence concerning shedding innocent blood or engaging in treacherous and defiling acts against his enemies or Saul. It suggests a lack of guilt for specific actions or malicious intent in the conflict.
• in His eyesight (Hebrew: lĕnegd ʿênāw, לְנֶ֣גֶד עֵינָֽיו): This phrase means literally "before His eyes" or "in His sight." It underscores that God's judgment is based on perfect, all-encompassing knowledge. Unlike human judgment, which can be flawed or superficial, God sees the heart, the motives, and every hidden action. David is asserting his innocence before the ultimate, infallible Judge. It emphasizes divine omniscience as the standard by which he is measured.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Therefore the LORD has recompensed me": This phrase establishes the divine initiative and outcome. David is not claiming credit but attributing his deliverance and positive outcome entirely to the LORD, who acts as the supreme and righteous judge. It underlines the sovereignty of God in human affairs, especially in meting out justice.
• "according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness": These two phrases, closely linked, emphasize two complementary aspects of David's integrity. "Righteousness" refers more broadly to his adherence to God's moral and covenantal laws (ethical dimension), while "cleanness" speaks more specifically to the purity of his actions, hands, and motives (practical dimension), particularly concerning his non-aggressive, non-vengeful stance towards Saul. Together, they articulate a comprehensive claim of blamelessness within the confines of this particular struggle.
• "in His eyesight": This crucial phrase qualifies the entire statement. It specifies that this righteousness and cleanness are judged not by human standards or outward appearance, but by God's perfect, discerning, and omniscient gaze. It removes any potential for human boastfulness, placing the validation entirely on divine perception and approval. This highlights the unique standard of divine justice, which perceives beyond superficiality into the truth of the heart.

2 Samuel 22 25 Bonus section

This assertion of David's righteousness should be understood in the framework of relative, covenantal righteousness, distinguishing it sharply from the absolute righteousness of Christ. While David, like all humans, fell short of perfect righteousness (e.g., the Bathsheba incident in 2 Sam 11), his conduct in this specific matter of facing his enemies, particularly Saul, exemplified exceptional adherence to God's will and law, particularly in his self-restraint and trust in God for deliverance. His vindication serves as a prophetic foreshadowing of God's ultimate justice and the perfect vindication of the perfectly righteous one, Jesus Christ, who truly had "clean hands and a pure heart" without blemish, and whom God also "recompensed" by raising Him from the dead and exalting Him. David’s song, therefore, provides both comfort for the faithful who suffer unjustly and a glimpse into God’s ultimate, unwavering commitment to justice for the truly righteous.

2 Samuel 22 25 Commentary

David's powerful declaration in 2 Samuel 22:25, mirrored in Psalm 18:24, is not a claim of sinless perfection but a testament to his covenantal integrity and the vindication he received from God. In the face of intense persecution, especially from King Saul, David chose not to retaliate with violence or treachery, even when opportunities arose to strike his oppressor. His "righteousness" in this context refers to his adherence to God's law and his profound respect for God's anointed, refusing to lift a hand against Saul (1 Sam 24, 26). His "cleanness" speaks to the purity of his hands and motives, devoid of murderous intent or deceit towards those who pursued him. God, "in His eyesight"—that is, with perfect omniscience and impartial judgment—saw David's genuine fidelity, not just outward actions, but his inner disposition and sincere attempts to follow His ways, and therefore delivered him. This verse underscores the fundamental biblical principle that God is a just rewarder, upholding those who genuinely strive to live by His commands, providing them vindication when their cause is just.