Psalms 18:26

KJV

With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.

KJV (with Strong's)

With the pure {H1305} thou wilt shew thyself pure {H1305}; and with the froward {H6141} thou wilt shew thyself froward {H6617}.

Complete Jewish Bible

with the pure, you are pure; but with the crooked you are cunning.

Berean Standard Bible

to the pure You show Yourself pure, but to the crooked You show Yourself shrewd.

American Standard Version

With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; And with the perverse thou wilt show thyself froward.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 18:26 articulates a profound principle of divine interaction and justice: God's response to humanity mirrors their moral and spiritual disposition. As part of King David's triumphant psalm of deliverance, this verse underscores the Lord's righteous character, revealing that He aligns with and blesses the pure in heart, while actively opposing and countering the crooked paths of the perverse. It is a powerful testament to God's consistent, unblemished holiness and His perfectly just dealings with all people, demonstrating that His nature is revealed in His encounters according to the integrity or perversity of human hearts.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 18 is a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving and deliverance, attributed to David after the Lord had rescued him from all his enemies and from the hand of Saul, as stated in [Psalm 18:1](/psalms/18-1 "Psalm 18:1 - David's Song of Deliverance"). Within this extended hymn, David recounts God's mighty acts on his behalf, asserting his own integrity and blamelessness before God in verses [Psalm 18:20-24](/psalms/18-20-24 "Psalm 18:20-24 - David's Righteousness and God's Deliverance"). Verse 26 builds directly upon the preceding statements, particularly [Psalm 18:25](/psalms/18-25 "Psalm 18:25 - God's Reciprocity with the Merciful"), which declares, "With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright." This establishes a clear pattern where God's response is congruent with human conduct, emphasizing His perfect justice and His personal engagement with the heart condition of each individual. The verse functions as a theological summary of divine reciprocity, illustrating how God's immutable character is revealed in His interactions, affirming the righteous and resisting the wicked.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed by King David, a pivotal figure in Israelite history, this psalm reflects the covenantal relationship between God and His people in ancient Israel. The concepts of "pure" and "froward" are deeply rooted in the moral and ethical framework of the Mosaic Law and wisdom literature. In a society where covenant faithfulness (Hebrew: *hesed*) and justice (*mishpat*) were paramount, God's dealings were understood to be righteous and consistent with His revealed character. The "pure" would be those who diligently sought to walk in obedience to God's commands and maintain integrity, often associated with the concept of being "blameless" or "upright" before God. Conversely, the "froward" represented those who stubbornly resisted divine instruction, chose rebellion, or engaged in deceitful and morally distorted practices. The king, as God's anointed, was expected to embody purity and justice, and his personal experience with God's reciprocal dealings served as a model for the nation, demonstrating the divine principles at play in both individual lives and national destiny.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Psalm 18 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Justice and Reciprocity**, asserting that God's actions toward humanity are not arbitrary but are a just reflection of their moral and spiritual stance. While God's nature remains immutable, His engagement with people reveals different facets of that nature based on their alignment with Him. Secondly, it highlights **God's Purity and Alignment with the Pure**. For those who are "pure"—morally clean, sincere, and upright in heart—God reveals Himself as pure, aligning with, blessing, and supporting their righteous endeavors. This resonates with the promise found in [Matthew 5:8](/matthew/5-8 "Matthew 5:8 - The Beatitude of the Pure in Heart") that "blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Conversely, the verse underscores **God's Opposition to the Froward**. To those who are "froward" (perverse, twisted, stubborn, or rebellious), God shows Himself "froward." This does not imply God *becomes* perverse, but rather that His dealings with such individuals will expose, resist, and ultimately counter their perversity. His justice will stand in opposition to their crooked paths, echoing the sentiment in [Proverbs 3:32](/proverbs/3-32 "Proverbs 3:32 - God's Abomination of the Froward"), "For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pure (Hebrew, _bârar'_):** H1305 This primitive root means "to clarify," "to brighten," "to examine," or "to select." When applied to individuals, it denotes being clean, unblemished, sincere, and upright in heart and conduct, suggesting a life characterized by transparency and integrity before God. When applied to God, as in "thou wilt shew thyself pure" (a reflexive form of this root), it signifies that God reveals His unblemished holiness and righteous character in His dealings with those who are pure, proving His own moral clarity and perfection.
* **Froward (Hebrew, _ʻiqqêsh'_):** H6141 Derived from a root meaning "to twist," this adjective describes something "distorted," "crooked," "perverse," or "false." It characterizes a disposition that is stubbornly rebellious, morally twisted, or deceitful—one that actively resists God's ways and deviates from the straight path of righteousness. It denotes a deliberate choice to walk in opposition to divine truth and justice.
* **Froward (Hebrew, _pâthal'_):** H6617 This primitive root means "to twine," "to struggle," or "to be tortuous" (morally). When applied to God dealing with the froward, as in "thou wilt shew thyself froward" (a reflexive form of this root), it signifies that God will counter their crookedness with His own unyielding justice. This can manifest as God entangling them in their own schemes, exposing their perversity, or allowing them to experience the natural, negative consequences of their rebellious choices. It is not that God *becomes* perverse, but that His actions against perversity will appear "twisted" or "subtle" to the froward, as they are caught in their own snares.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure":** This clause asserts that God responds to those who walk in integrity, sincerity, and moral cleanliness by manifesting His own unblemished holiness and righteous character. He aligns Himself with their uprightness, blessing their endeavors, and revealing His favor and presence in a way that affirms their pure intentions and actions. God's dealings with the pure are marked by clarity, truth, and divine approval, reflecting His own spotless nature.
* **"and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward":** Conversely, this clause declares that God's response to those who are perverse, stubborn, or deceitful will be one of opposition and resistance. God does not adopt a perverse nature, but His actions will counter their crookedness. He will expose their schemes, allow them to become ensnared by their own twisted paths, or bring about consequences that reflect and oppose their rebellious disposition. This is a manifestation of His righteous judgment, where His justice actively stands against wickedness, demonstrating that His character is unyielding in the face of rebellion.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 18:26 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological truth. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically **antithetical parallelism**, where the first half of the verse ("With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure") presents a contrasting idea to the second half ("and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward"). This juxtaposition highlights the stark difference in God's response based on human moral choices, emphasizing the consequences of each path. Within each half, there is also an element of **synonymous parallelism**, as God's "showing Himself pure" aligns with the "pure" individual, and His "showing Himself froward" aligns with the "froward" individual, emphasizing the mirroring effect of divine interaction. The verse also utilizes **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like actions or reactions to God ("shew thyself"), though it's crucial to understand this as a metaphorical expression of God's consistent and just character, rather than a change in His immutable nature. Finally, the verse encapsulates the broader biblical motif of **Divine Reciprocity**, a principle frequently found in wisdom literature and the Psalms, where divine action is presented as a direct and just consequence of human moral and spiritual choices, underscoring God's active engagement in the moral order of His creation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 18:26 profoundly encapsulates the principle of divine reciprocity, asserting that God's interactions with humanity are not arbitrary but are a just and consistent reflection of their moral and spiritual disposition. This does not imply that God changes His immutable nature, but rather that different facets of His character—His holiness, justice, mercy, and wrath—are manifested in response to human choices. For those who diligently pursue purity and walk in integrity, God reveals His unblemished character as a source of blessing, affirmation, and alignment, drawing them into deeper fellowship. Conversely, for those who stubbornly persist in perversity and rebellion, God's righteous judgment is revealed as an opposing force, countering their crooked paths and leading to consequences that expose their wickedness. This verse underscores God's active engagement in the moral landscape of creation, upholding His perfect justice and holding humanity accountable for their chosen way, demonstrating that the divine response is always perfectly calibrated to the human heart.

* [Matthew 5:8](/matthew/5-8 "Matthew 5:8 - Blessed are the Pure in Heart")
* [Proverbs 3:32](/proverbs/3-32 "Proverbs 3:32 - The Froward are an Abomination to the Lord")
* [Revelation 22:11](/revelation/22-11 "Revelation 22:11 - Let the Unjust Be Unjust Still")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 18:26 serves as both a profound encouragement and a sober warning, calling us to a deep self-examination of our heart's posture before God. It assures those who genuinely strive for purity, integrity, and uprightness that God will meet them with His own holiness, grace, and favor, affirming their path and blessing their righteous endeavors. This understanding should inspire us to pursue holiness with greater diligence, knowing that our sincere efforts to walk with God will be met with His divine approval and partnership, leading to a deeper experience of His presence and blessing. Conversely, for those who persist in stubbornness, rebellion, deceit, or a "froward" disposition, the verse issues a stark warning: God's justice will stand in opposition to their crooked ways, leading to inevitable resistance, exposure, and consequences that reflect their chosen path. This should provoke a sincere repentance in any heart clinging to sin, reminding us that God is perfectly just and consistent in all His ways, always responding to our actions with divine integrity. Our desire to walk in purity and uprightness directly impacts the nature of our experience with the Almighty, urging us to choose the path of righteousness daily and to trust in His transformative power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I actively strive for purity and integrity before God, and how have I experienced His reciprocal blessing and alignment?**
* **Are there any "froward" tendencies—such as stubbornness, deceit, or rebellion—that I need to confess, repent of, and surrender to God's transforming grace, trusting in His mercy to make me pure?**
* **How does understanding God's principle of reciprocal justice motivate me to walk more closely with Him in obedience and sincerity, knowing that my choices directly influence my experience of His character?**

### FAQ

**Does "God showing Himself froward" mean God becomes perverse or evil?**

Answer: Absolutely not. The phrase "thou wilt shew thyself froward" (Hebrew: *tithpattal'*) does not imply that God adopts a perverse or evil nature. Rather, it means that God acts in opposition to perversity. His righteous justice counters and exposes the crookedness of the "froward." He allows them to become entangled in their own schemes, or He brings about consequences that reflect and oppose their chosen path of rebellion. It is a manifestation of His unyielding holiness and judgment against sin, not a change in His character. God's nature remains perfectly pure and righteous, but His dealings with the froward will appear "twisted" or "subtle" to them as they are caught in the snares of their own making, or as He brings His just retribution against their wickedness. This is consistent with passages like [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness"), which speaks of God's wrath being revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.

**How does this verse relate to God's grace and mercy?**

Answer: While Psalms 18:26 primarily highlights God's justice and the principle of reciprocity, it works in harmony with His grace and mercy. God's grace is the divine initiative that offers a path to purity and reconciliation for those who are "froward." Through His loving-kindness, God calls individuals to repentance, offering forgiveness and transformation for their twisted ways. The very fact that one *can* become "pure" is a testament to God's grace, which provides the means for cleansing and new life. However, for those who stubbornly reject this grace and persist in their frowardness, God's justice ultimately prevails. His mercy is extended to the repentant, but for those who choose to remain in rebellion, the principle of divine opposition and consequence, as described in this verse, will be experienced. This dynamic underscores the biblical truth that God's kindness is meant to lead us to repentance, as seen in [Romans 2:4](/romans/2-4 "Romans 2:4 - God's Kindness Leads to Repentance"), demonstrating that His desire is always for our restoration, but His justice ensures accountability.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 18:26 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the quintessential "Pure One," the Lamb of God without blemish or spot, in whom God perfectly "shewed Himself pure." His life was one of absolute integrity, holiness, and obedience, as [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Pure High Priest") affirms that He was "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." In Christ, God's unblemished character was fully revealed, and all who believe in Him are invited into that purity, being made righteous through His perfect life and atoning death. Conversely, Jesus also perfectly embodied God's response to the "froward." He consistently confronted the twistedness of human sin, the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, and the rebellion of a fallen world, not by becoming perverse, but by exposing and opposing it with divine truth and authority. The cross of Christ is the ultimate demonstration of God showing Himself "froward" against human frowardness, where the full weight of divine justice against sin was poured out upon the sinless Son, as [Isaiah 53:6](/isaiah/53-6 "Isaiah 53:6 - All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray") prophesied, "the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." Yet, in this very act, God's purity provided the means for our purification: for [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us") declares that "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." Through faith in Christ, we are not only forgiven of our frowardness but are also granted a new heart and the indwelling Holy Spirit, enabling us to walk in the purity that pleases God, fulfilling the promise of [Titus 2:14](/titus/2-14 "Titus 2:14 - Christ Redeemed Us to Purify a People") that Christ "gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works," making us truly pure before a pure God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 3:34

Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

Leviticus 26:23

And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me;

Leviticus 26:24

Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins.

Leviticus 26:27

And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me;

Leviticus 26:28

Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.

Psalms 109:17

As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.

Psalms 109:19

Let it be unto him as the garment [which] covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually.