2 Samuel 22:21
The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; He has repaid me according to the cleanness of my hands.
The LORD
The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises. In the context of David's song of deliverance, it underscores the personal relationship between God and His chosen king. Yahweh is not a distant deity but an intimately involved protector and provider, rewarding those who walk in His ways.

has rewarded me
The Hebrew root for "rewarded" is "gamal," which can mean to deal bountifully or to recompense. This suggests a divine response to human actions, where God, in His justice, acknowledges and blesses the faithfulness of His servants. It reflects the biblical principle of sowing and reaping, where righteous living leads to divine favor.

according to my righteousness
"Righteousness" in Hebrew is "tsedaqah," which refers to right standing or moral integrity before God. David's claim here is not of sinless perfection but of a life generally aligned with God's will. In the conservative Christian perspective, this righteousness is ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who imputes His righteousness to believers, enabling them to stand justified before God.

He has repaid me
The phrase "has repaid" comes from the Hebrew "shuv," meaning to return or restore. It conveys the idea of God restoring or giving back in kind, highlighting His role as a just judge who ensures that His servants receive their due. This repayment is not merely material but encompasses spiritual blessings and divine favor.

according to the cleanness of my hands
"Cleanness" in Hebrew is "bor," indicating purity or innocence. "Hands" symbolize actions or deeds. Thus, "cleanness of my hands" refers to the purity of one's actions and intentions. In the historical context, David's life, despite its flaws, was marked by a sincere pursuit of God's heart and commands. This phrase encourages believers to live with integrity, knowing that God sees and rewards the purity of their actions.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of this song of praise, David is reflecting on his life and God's deliverance. He acknowledges God's justice and faithfulness in rewarding him.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The central figure in this passage, God is portrayed as the righteous judge who rewards individuals based on their righteousness and purity.

3. Righteousness and Cleanness
These terms refer to moral integrity and purity of actions. In the Hebrew context, "righteousness" (tzedek) and "cleanness" (bor) emphasize living in accordance with God's laws and maintaining purity in one's conduct.

4. Deliverance
The broader context of 2 Samuel 22 is a song of deliverance, where David praises God for rescuing him from his enemies and Saul.

5. Israel
The nation over which David ruled, representing the people who benefit from David's righteous leadership and God's favor.
Teaching Points
God's Justice and Reward
God is just and rewards those who live righteously. This encourages believers to pursue a life of integrity and moral uprightness.

The Importance of Righteousness
Righteousness is not just about external actions but also about the condition of the heart. Believers are called to align their hearts and actions with God's standards.

Purity in Conduct
The "cleanness of hands" signifies living a life free from sin and corruption. Christians are encouraged to examine their lives and seek purity in their daily actions.

God's Faithfulness in Deliverance
Just as God delivered David, He is faithful to deliver those who trust in Him. This assurance should strengthen believers' faith in God's protection and provision.

Reflecting on Personal Integrity
Believers should regularly reflect on their own lives, seeking God's help to maintain integrity and righteousness in all areas.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does David's understanding of righteousness and cleanness of hands challenge your current lifestyle and choices?

2. In what ways can you pursue righteousness in your daily life, and how does this align with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's deliverance. How did your actions and heart condition play a role in that experience?

4. How can the principles found in 2 Samuel 22:21 be applied to leadership roles within the church or community?

5. What steps can you take to ensure that your heart and hands remain clean before God, and how can you encourage others in your community to do the same?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 18
This psalm is almost identical to 2 Samuel 22, highlighting the same themes of deliverance and God's reward for righteousness.

Matthew 5:8
Jesus speaks about the pure in heart seeing God, connecting to the idea of cleanness and righteousness being rewarded by God.

James 4:8
Encourages believers to purify their hearts, aligning with the theme of cleanness of hands and righteousness.

Proverbs 11:18
Discusses the concept of righteousness leading to a sure reward, echoing the principle found in 2 Samuel 22:21.
Abundant Cause for ThanksgivingChristian Endeavour Times2 Samuel 22:1-51
David's Song of PraiseB. Dale 2 Samuel 22:1-51
Psalm SingingA. Whyte, D. D.2 Samuel 22:1-51
The Song of ThanksgivingW. G. Blaikie, D. D.2 Samuel 22:1-51
God Rewarding the RighteousG. Wood 2 Samuel 22:21-25
People
David, Saul
Places
Gath
Topics
Clean, Cleanness, Gives, Hands, Recompensed, Recompenseth, Return, Reward, Rewarded, Righteousness
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Samuel 22:21

     5156   hand

2 Samuel 22:2-51

     8609   prayer, as praise and thanksgiving

2 Samuel 22:21-25

     8201   blamelessness

Library
David's Hymn of victory
'For Thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that, rose up against me hast Thou subdued under me. 41. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me. 42. They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the Lord, but He answered them not. 43. Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad. 44. Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, Thou hast
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Mosaic Cosmogony.
ON the revival of science in the 16th century, some of the earliest conclusions at which philosophers arrived were found to be at variance with popular and long-established belief. The Ptolemaic system of astronomy, which had then full possession of the minds of men, contemplated the whole visible universe from the earth as the immovable centre of things. Copernicus changed the point of view, and placing the beholder in the sun, at once reduced the earth to an inconspicuous globule, a merely subordinate
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World

The First Commandment
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Why is the commandment in the second person singular, Thou? Why does not God say, You shall have no other gods? Because the commandment concerns every one, and God would have each one take it as spoken to him by name. Though we are forward to take privileges to ourselves, yet we are apt to shift off duties from ourselves to others; therefore the commandment is in the second person, Thou and Thou, that every one may know that it is spoken to him,
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

In the Present Crusade against the Bible and the Faith of Christian Men...
IN the present crusade against the Bible and the Faith of Christian men, the task of destroying confidence in the first chapter of Genesis has been undertaken by Mr. C. W. Goodwin, M.A. He requires us to "regard it as the speculation of some Hebrew Descartes or Newton, promulgated in all good faith as the best and most probable account that could be then given of God's Universe." (p. 252.) Mr. Goodwin remarks with scorn, that "we are asked to believe that a vision of Creation was presented to him
John William Burgon—Inspiration and Interpretation

A Discourse of Mercifulness
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 These verses, like the stairs of Solomon's temple, cause our ascent to the holy of holies. We are now mounting up a step higher. Blessed are the merciful . . '. There was never more need to preach of mercifulness than in these unmerciful times wherein we live. It is reported in the life of Chrysostom that he preached much on this subject of mercifulness, and for his much pressing Christians to mercy, he was called of many, the alms-preacher,
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Ark among the Flags
'And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. 2. And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. 3. And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink. 4. And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. 5. And the daughter of Pharaoh came
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Christ's Prophetic Office
'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet,' &c. Deut 18:85. Having spoken of the person of Christ, we are next to speak of the offices of Christ. These are Prophetic, Priestly, and Regal. 'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet.' Enunciatur hic locus de Christo. It is spoken of Christ.' There are several names given to Christ as a Prophet. He is called the Counsellor' in Isa 9:9. In uno Christo Angelus foederis completur [The Messenger of the Covenant appears in Christ alone].
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
2 Samuel 22:21 NIV
2 Samuel 22:21 NLT
2 Samuel 22:21 ESV
2 Samuel 22:21 NASB
2 Samuel 22:21 KJV

2 Samuel 22:21 Commentaries

Bible Hub
2 Samuel 22:20
Top of Page
Top of Page