(21) The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. (22) For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. (23) For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them. (24) I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity. (25) Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
I desire the Reader particularly to observe how he reads those verses, in order that he may have a clear apprehension of David's meaning, in what be saith in them. He is here stating the ground of his innocency, as it related to his conduct towards his neighbor, and particularly as it referred to Saul. The title of the Psalm saith as much, that David spoke these words in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul. And, as far as his history informs us with respect to his conduct towards Saul, his whole behaviour was such that he might plead his innocency. So that when accused by men he could plead to GOD. But Reader! do not from hence imagine that David meant here, or in any other part of his life, that the LORD rewarded him according to his righteousness or, the cleanness of his hands, in the sight of GOD. Alas! David was so conscious of his sins, that he cries out, Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O LORD, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. We may with humbleness of soul, ascribing at the same time the whole glory to GOD for the grace bestowed upon us in enabling us to perform it; we may bless GOD when we can appeal to him concerning our integrity between man and man; but with respect to our whole lives before GOD, every saint on earth must lay his hand upon his mouth, and say with Job, If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul. Job 9:20-21. Reader! do mark this down in the memorandums of thy heart. Depend upon it, it is a solemn thing for a poor sinner, though looking up for acceptance and justification in the person and righteousness of JESUS, to stand before GOD.