Why God Dealt Generously With David

Psalms 18:19–29
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

David had experienced some stormy years, yet God rescued him and upheld His dedicated servant. He had obeyed God’s Word and accomplished God’s will, so God rewarded him. We find the reason God saved David was that “He delighted in him” (v. 19). By faith he had kept his righteousness (integrity) (vv. 20,24). Some might accuse David of arrogance and proud self-righteousness when he says, “The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness.” But we must remember that ultimate righteousness comes from trusting God which David had done.

What was the secret of David’s upright living? David tells over and over why God dealt so generously with him. The key was his study of the Scriptures. “I did not put away His statues from me” (v. 22). It has been said that righteous living begins with knowledge of what is righteous and backsliding begins with a dusty Bible. David gives a principle, an example of that principle and a promise to those who live by it (vv. 25-28). The principle is “with the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful.” This means that God exalts the humble but humiliates the proud (I Peter 5:5). As an example of those He will bring down are those with “High looks” (v. 27). The promise for those who are merciful is “For thou wilt light my candle” (v. 28). The dealings of the Lord are always just. He metes out to men every man according to his measure. God measures the area of a man’s land by the same rod with which that man measures the area of others’ land. David has full assurance that since he has lived uprightly, God will be his light in his darkest hour. All of us who have been clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ have the same promise.

Application

Would I be able to testify with David that “The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness?” Am I depending on the righteousness of Christ to save me or am I trying to get to heaven by being good? Isaiah 64:6 says, “our righteousness are as filthy rags.”