Psalms 18:22-24
22 For I am aware of all his regulations, ▼▼ Heb “for all his regulations [are] before me.” The Hebrew term מִשְׁפָּטִים (mishpatim, “regulations”) refers to God’s covenantal requirements, especially those which the king is responsible to follow (cf. Deut 17:18–20). See also Pss 19:9 (cf. vv. 7–8); 89:30; 147:20 (cf. v. 19), as well as the numerous uses of the term in Ps 119.
and I do not reject his rules. ▼
▼ Heb “and his rules I do not turn aside from me.” 2 Sam 22:23 reads, “and his rules, I do not turn aside from it.” The prefixed verbal form is probably an imperfect; the psalmist here generalizes about his loyalty to God’s commands. The Lord’s “rules” are the stipulations of the covenant which the king was responsible to obey (see Ps 89:31; cf. v. 30 and Deut 17:18–20).
23 I was innocent before him,
and kept myself from sinning. ▼
▼ Heb “from my sin,” that is, from making it my own in any way.
▼ 24 The Lord rewarded me for my godly deeds; ▼
▼ Heb “according to my righteousness.”
he took notice of my blameless behavior. ▼
▼ Heb “according to the purity of my hands before his eyes.” 2 Sam 22:25 reads “according to my purity before his eyes.” The verbal repetition (compare vv. 20 and 24) sets off vv. 20–24 as a distinct sub-unit within the psalm.
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