Mazmur 18:23-24

18:23 I was innocent before him,

and kept myself from sinning. ¹ 

18:24 The Lord rewarded me for my godly deeds; ² 

he took notice of my blameless behavior. ³ 

[18:23]  ¹ tn Heb “from my sin,” that is, from making it my own in any way.

[18:23]  sn Kept myself from sinning. Leading a blameless life meant that the king would be loyal to God’s covenant, purge the government and society of evil and unjust officials, and reward loyalty to the Lord (see Ps 101).

[18:24]  ² tn Heb “according to my righteousness.”

[18:24]  ³ tn 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.