Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.
Has there ever been a righteous person?Job 15:14, Isaiah 64:6, and Romans 3:10 deny anyone is righteous — all our righteousness is as filthy rags, there is none righteous, no, not one.
Did David sin?2 Samuel 22:21-25 has David claiming the LORD rewarded him according to his righteousness and the cleanness of his hands.
Genesis 6:9(v24)This is the history of the generations of Noah: Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time. Noah walked with God.
Proverbs 8:32(v22)“Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
Genesis 18:19(v22)For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Yahweh, to do…
2 Samuel 22:21(v25)Yahweh rewarded me according to my righteousness. He rewarded me according to the cleanness of my hands.
Psalms 119:30(v23)I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me.
Show all 41 cross-references
Psalms 119:102(v23)I have not turned away from your ordinances, for you have taught me.
Genesis 17:1(v24)When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty. Walk before me and be blameless.
Job 1:1(v24)There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God, and turned away from…
Psalms 128:1(v22)Blessed is everyone who fears Yahweh, who walks in his ways.
Psalms 36:3(v22)The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit. He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
Psalms 119:1(v22)Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to Yahweh’s law.
John 15:14(v23)You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you.
Romans 2:7-8(v25)to those who by perseverance in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life; but to those who are self-seeking,…
2 Corinthians 5:10(v25)For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive the things in the body according to what he has…
Ephesians 1:4(v24)even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love,
Hebrews 12:1(v24)Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily…
Numbers 16:15(v22)Moses was very angry, and said to Yahweh, “Don’t respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, neither have I hurt one of…
Deuteronomy 6:1-2(v23)Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances, which Yahweh your God commanded to teach you, that you might do them in…
Deuteronomy 6:6-9(v23)These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of…
Deuteronomy 7:12(v23)It shall happen, because you listen to these ordinances and keep and do them, that Yahweh your God will keep with you the covenant and the…
Deuteronomy 8:11(v23)Beware lest you forget Yahweh your God, in not keeping his commandments, his ordinances, and his statutes, which I command you today;
1 Samuel 12:3(v22)Here I am. Witness against me before Yahweh, and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I…
Job 23:10-12(v22)But he knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come out like gold. My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way,…
Psalms 19:8-9(v23)Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of Yahweh is clean,…
Psalms 51:6(v24)Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Psalms 84:11(v24)For Yahweh God is a sun and a shield. Yahweh will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly.
Psalms 119:6(v23)Then I wouldn’t be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.
Psalms 119:13(v23)With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.
Psalms 119:86(v23)All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me!
Psalms 119:128(v23)Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way.
Psalms 125:5(v22)But as for those who turn away to their crooked ways, Yahweh will lead them away with the workers of iniquity. Peace be on Israel.
Proverbs 4:23(v24)Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.
Proverbs 5:21(v25)For the ways of man are before Yahweh’s eyes. He examines all his paths.
Isaiah 3:10(v25)Tell the righteous “Good!” For they shall eat the fruit of their deeds.
Zephaniah 1:6(v22)those who have turned back from following Yahweh, and those who haven’t sought Yahweh nor inquired after him.
Luke 1:6(v23)They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
John 1:47(v24)Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said about him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”
John 15:10(v22)If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love.
2 Corinthians 1:12(v22)For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of…
2 Corinthians 5:11(v24)Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are revealed to God, and I hope that we are revealed also in your…
Hebrews 10:38-39(v22)But the righteous will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back to…
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (9 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Geneva Bible translators1599 · Public DomainOn v22I attempted nothing without his commandment.
I attempted nothing without his commandment.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Gill1763 · Public DomainOn vv22–25Thou hast also given me the necks of mine…
Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me. See Gill on Psa 18:40.
.
Read full note →
2 Samuel 22:42
sa2 22:42
sa2 22:42
sa2 22:42They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the Lord, but he answered them not. See Gill on Psa 18:41.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary1859 · Public DomainOn v22God. Perhaps David might have written this before his…
CHAPTER XXII.
God. Perhaps David might have written this before his fall; or, if afterwards, his sincere repentance had restored him to his former state.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon1874 · Public DomainOn vv22–2422. Ways of Jehovah — The ways of truth…
22. Ways of Jehovah — The ways of truth and duty which Jehovah has marked out. To attend to these ways is to walk in them.
Not wickedly departed — Foully apostatised. He does not mean that he had never sinned, but that he had never wilfully rejected and turned away from the divine service.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1878 · Public DomainOn vv22–2522–25. The integrity of David’s life and its reward
22–25. The integrity of David’s life and its reward
22. For I have kept, &c.] He goes on to substantiate the assertion of the preceding verse.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers1878 · Public DomainOn vv23, 25(23) His statutes, I did not depart from them.—The…
(23) His statutes, I did not depart from them.—The psalm, by a very slight change in the original, has “I did not put away his statutes from me.” The former is the more common form, the latter suits better the parallelism here.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary1880 · Public DomainOn v24Ver. 24. (Psa_18:23)
Ver. 24. (Psa_18:23)
Self-preservation.
Read full note →
kept myself from mine iniquity" (perversion, distortion, departure from the line of truth and rectitude). The life of a good man is a conflict. (2Sa_10:12) "A man will never persevere in the practice of uprightness and godliness, unless he carefully keep himself from his inquiry" (Calvin). His self-preservation
I IMPLIES EXPOSURE TO A DANGEROUS ENEMY.
1. There is none greater than sin. Every other evil is slight compared withit.
2. Each man has "his besetting sin." "I kept myself," not merely againstiniquity becoming my own, but against the iniquity which lies near to me, and to which I am specially liable from my constitution or condition. (1Sa_24:5) A traitor within the fortress is a more dangerous foe than any other.
3. It besets him at all times, in all places, and by manifold "devices.
4. To be overcome by it is inexpressibly disastrous.
II REQUIRES THE ADOPTION OF PROPER METHODS.
1. Due consideration of the danger. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.
2. Constant and resolute vigilance against the first approaches of the enemy. (Heb_3:13)
1. The habitual practice of self-restraint and self-denial.
2. The daily exercise of the virtues and graces that are most opposite to thesins to which he is disposed. (Gal_5:16)
3. Familiar acquaintance with the Word or God. (Eph_6:13-17)
4. Continual looking unto God for his effectual aid. "Kept guarded by thepower of God through faith," etc.. (1Pe_1:5)
5. Unceasing prayer. "Keep yourselves in the love of God" (Jud_1:21); "Keep yourselves from idols". (1Jn_5:21)
III DESERVES TO BE SOUGHT WITH THE UTMOST EARNESTNESS, because of the advantages by which it is attended.
1. An assurance of personal sincerity (1Jn_5:18; Heb_3:14) "The careful abstaining from our own iniquity is one of the best evidences of our own integrity; and the testimony of our conscience that we have done so will be such a rejoicing as will not only lessen the grief of an afflicted, state, but increase the comfort of an advanced state" (Matthew Henry).
2. An experience of Divine help, of which it is an indispensable condition.
3. An increase of moral strength.
4. A preparation for future victories. "To mortify and conquer our ownappetites is more praiseworthy than to storm strong cities, to defeat mighty armies, work miracles, or raise the dead" (Scupoli). D.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0On vv22, 24General Information:
General Information:
David continues his song to Yahweh.
Read full note →
I have kept the ways of Yahweh
Here "the ways of Yahweh" refers to how Yahweh wants his people to act. This means David has done what Yahweh commands.
have been before me
This means David constantly reads and thinks about God's decrees.
Tyndale Open Study Notes2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0On v2222:22-24 David composed these words much earlier (22:1), before…
22:22-24 David composed these words much earlier (22:1), before his sin with Bathsheba. Still, his claim to being blameless should not be construed as a claim to perfection. David was simply noting that he had kept the covenant and followed its law.
GEBible — Godless Engineer's Bible App
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v22 I attempted nothing without his commandment.
I attempted nothing without his commandment.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv22–25 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine…
Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me. See Gill on Psa 18:40.
.
Read full note →
2 Samuel 22:42
sa2 22:42
sa2 22:42
sa2 22:42They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the Lord, but he answered them not. See Gill on Psa 18:41.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v22 God. Perhaps David might have written this before his…
CHAPTER XXII.
God. Perhaps David might have written this before his fall; or, if afterwards, his sincere repentance had restored him to his former state.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv22–24 22. Ways of Jehovah — The ways of truth…
22. Ways of Jehovah — The ways of truth and duty which Jehovah has marked out. To attend to these ways is to walk in them.
Not wickedly departed — Foully apostatised. He does not mean that he had never sinned, but that he had never wilfully rejected and turned away from the divine service.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv22–25 22–25. The integrity of David’s life and its reward
22–25. The integrity of David’s life and its reward
22. For I have kept, &c.] He goes on to substantiate the assertion of the preceding verse.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv23, 25 (23) His statutes, I did not depart from them.—The…
(23) His statutes, I did not depart from them.—The psalm, by a very slight change in the original, has “I did not put away his statutes from me.” The former is the more common form, the latter suits better the parallelism here.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On v24 Ver. 24. (Psa_18:23)
Ver. 24. (Psa_18:23)
Self-preservation.
Read full note →
kept myself from mine iniquity" (perversion, distortion, departure from the line of truth and rectitude). The life of a good man is a conflict. (2Sa_10:12) "A man will never persevere in the practice of uprightness and godliness, unless he carefully keep himself from his inquiry" (Calvin). His self-preservation
I IMPLIES EXPOSURE TO A DANGEROUS ENEMY.
1. There is none greater than sin. Every other evil is slight compared withit.
2. Each man has "his besetting sin." "I kept myself," not merely againstiniquity becoming my own, but against the iniquity which lies near to me, and to which I am specially liable from my constitution or condition. (1Sa_24:5) A traitor within the fortress is a more dangerous foe than any other.
3. It besets him at all times, in all places, and by manifold "devices.
4. To be overcome by it is inexpressibly disastrous.
II REQUIRES THE ADOPTION OF PROPER METHODS.
1. Due consideration of the danger. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.
2. Constant and resolute vigilance against the first approaches of the enemy. (Heb_3:13)
1. The habitual practice of self-restraint and self-denial.
2. The daily exercise of the virtues and graces that are most opposite to thesins to which he is disposed. (Gal_5:16)
3. Familiar acquaintance with the Word or God. (Eph_6:13-17)
4. Continual looking unto God for his effectual aid. "Kept guarded by thepower of God through faith," etc.. (1Pe_1:5)
5. Unceasing prayer. "Keep yourselves in the love of God" (Jud_1:21); "Keep yourselves from idols". (1Jn_5:21)
III DESERVES TO BE SOUGHT WITH THE UTMOST EARNESTNESS, because of the advantages by which it is attended.
1. An assurance of personal sincerity (1Jn_5:18; Heb_3:14) "The careful abstaining from our own iniquity is one of the best evidences of our own integrity; and the testimony of our conscience that we have done so will be such a rejoicing as will not only lessen the grief of an afflicted, state, but increase the comfort of an advanced state" (Matthew Henry).
2. An experience of Divine help, of which it is an indispensable condition.
3. An increase of moral strength.
4. A preparation for future victories. "To mortify and conquer our ownappetites is more praiseworthy than to storm strong cities, to defeat mighty armies, work miracles, or raise the dead" (Scupoli). D.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv22, 24 General Information:
General Information:
David continues his song to Yahweh.
Read full note →
I have kept the ways of Yahweh
Here "the ways of Yahweh" refers to how Yahweh wants his people to act. This means David has done what Yahweh commands.
have been before me
This means David constantly reads and thinks about God's decrees.
translationWords
evil
turn
decree
statute
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v22 22:22-24 David composed these words much earlier (22:1), before…
22:22-24 David composed these words much earlier (22:1), before his sin with Bathsheba. Still, his claim to being blameless should not be construed as a claim to perfection. David was simply noting that he had kept the covenant and followed its law.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.