2 Samuel 22 26

2 Samuel 22:26 kjv

With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt show thyself upright.

2 Samuel 22:26 nkjv

"With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless;

2 Samuel 22:26 niv

"To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless,

2 Samuel 22:26 esv

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

2 Samuel 22:26 nlt

"To the faithful you show yourself faithful;
to those with integrity you show integrity.

2 Samuel 22 verses

2 Samuel 22 26 Meaning

2 Samuel 22:26 articulates a fundamental principle of God's character and His interaction with humanity: God deals with individuals in a manner that reflects their own moral and spiritual conduct. Specifically, He responds with steadfast love and faithfulness (mercifully) to those who are loyal and godly, and with integrity and uprightness (blamelessly) to those who walk in moral soundness before Him. This highlights God's righteous and consistent justice, where His dealings are aligned with His own perfect nature and responsive to the human heart and actions.

2 Samuel 22 26 Context

This verse is part of David's triumphant song of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord (2 Samuel 22:1-51), a poetic narrative that celebrates God's mighty deliverance of David from all his enemies, especially from the hand of Saul. David, recounting God's faithfulness, reflects on God's character and righteous dealings with him. In this particular section (verses 21-27), David asserts his own blamelessness and integrity in the context of his conflict with his enemies, particularly in light of his pursuit of God's ways during his tribulations. The song portrays God as a warrior, deliverer, and judge whose actions are perfectly just, rewarding the righteous and punishing the wicked. Thus, verse 26 serves to explain why God intervened so powerfully on David's behalf: because David had striven to walk faithfully and blamelessly before Him. It's a statement about divine reciprocity, reflecting the common Old Testament understanding of God's proportionate responses to human conduct.

2 Samuel 22 26 Word analysis

• With the merciful (עִם־חָסִיד - ʻim-ḥāsîḏ):
  • ʻim (עִם): "With," signifying companionship, association, or in relation to.
  • ḥāsîḏ (חָסִיד): From the root ḥeseḏ (חֶסֶד), often translated as "steadfast love," "covenant loyalty," or "loving-kindness." A ḥāsîḏ is one who embodies this loyalty; they are faithful, pious, godly, and actively demonstrate covenant fidelity to God and others. It implies devotion and an ethical conduct that reflects God's own character.
• you will show yourself merciful (תִּתְחַסָּד - tiṯḥassāḏ):
  • This verb is in the Hitpael stem, which conveys a reflexive or reciprocal sense. It does not mean God becomes merciful, but rather that He reveals Himself as merciful or acts in mercy towards those who are merciful. It signifies God's responsive dealing in kind, demonstrating His own abundant ḥeseḏ towards those who exemplify it.
• with a blameless man (עִם־גְּבַר תָּמִים - ʻim-gəvar tāmîm):
  • ʻim (עִם): Again, "with," indicating relationship or correspondence.
  • gəvar (גְּבַר): "Man," specifying the human individual.
  • tāmîm (תָּמִים): Meaning "complete," "whole," "sound," "perfect," "innocent," "upright," or "blameless." In a moral context, it denotes integrity and adherence to God's ways without pretense, corruption, or moral blemish in one's overall life direction. It signifies wholeness of character, not sinless perfection.
• you will show yourself blameless (תִּתַּמָּם - tittaṃmām):
  • Also in the Hitpael stem, reflexive. It means God shows Himself complete, perfect, or upright in His dealings with the blameless. His actions towards them are consistent with His own flawless character, demonstrating His perfect justice and integrity in upholding His covenant.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "With the merciful... with a blameless man": These parallel phrases employ a typical poetic structure, highlighting two distinct yet interconnected qualities of human righteousness. The "merciful" speaks to relational integrity and covenant faithfulness, while the "blameless man" speaks to personal integrity and moral soundness.
  • "you will show yourself merciful... you will show yourself blameless": The parallel use of the reflexive (Hitpael) stem emphasizes God's consistent and proportional response. He is not capricious but mirrors, in His divine actions, the character presented to Him by humanity. His essence does not change, but His manifestation and specific dealings are adapted to human conduct.

2 Samuel 22 26 Bonus section

This verse articulates a concept often referred to as "divine reciprocity" or "responsive justice," where God's actions are presented as corresponding to human behavior. It's a foundational tenet in the Old Testament, showcasing YHWH as a righteous judge who is unlike pagan deities whose actions were often arbitrary or motivated by human sacrifice. God's response stems from His own inherent nature of ḥeseḏ (steadfast love) and ṭōm (perfection/completeness). The Davidic king was expected to embody ḥeseḏ and tāmîm, and David's song here asserts that God deals with him on this basis. This pattern holds true in the New Testament as well, where ethical living (though not for salvation) is affirmed to yield certain blessings and deeper communion with God, exemplified in the Beatitudes. The king's blamelessness (though not sinlessness) in the context of the Psalms (like Ps 18, the parallel to 2 Sam 22) reflects a commitment to God's covenant and law, forming a righteous basis for God's intervention.

2 Samuel 22 26 Commentary

2 Samuel 22:26 concisely expresses a fundamental aspect of divine justice and God's consistent nature. It underscores the principle that God's actions toward humanity are not arbitrary but reflect His perfect character and His responsiveness to human conduct. For those who exhibit ḥeseḏ (covenant faithfulness, steadfast love) in their lives and are tāmîm (blameless, of integrity) in their walk, God reveals His own glorious mercy and perfect integrity in His dealings with them. This isn't a transactional basis for salvation but highlights an observable pattern of divine interaction: living righteously, in alignment with God's commands and character, brings forth His faithful and just presence, care, and blessing. David's song affirms this by reflecting on God's vindication of his perceived innocence amidst his trials. For believers, this verse encourages a life of integrity and loving-kindness, confident that God, being perfectly just, will meet such faithfulness with His own unwavering loyalty and uprightness. For example, demonstrating active forgiveness (merciful) invites God's grace, and striving for honesty and ethical behavior (blameless) allows one to experience His providential leading.