Psalms 18:22

For all his judgments [were] before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.

For all his judgments {H4941} were before me, and I did not put away {H5493} his statutes {H2708} from me.

for all his rulings were before me, I did not distance his regulations from me.

For all His ordinances are before me; I have not disregarded His statutes.

For all his ordinances were before me, And I put not away his statutes from me.

Commentary

Psalms 18:22 is a declaration of King David's unwavering commitment to God's divine will and commands, expressed in a psalm of profound thanksgiving and deliverance. This verse forms part of a larger section where David asserts his blamelessness and integrity before God, serving as a foundation for the divine assistance he received.

Context

Psalm 18 is a powerful hymn of praise and thanksgiving, attributed to David on the day the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul (see 2 Samuel 22 for a parallel account). In this psalm, David recounts God's majestic intervention on his behalf, depicting God as a mighty warrior who rescues His faithful servant. Verses 20-24 specifically highlight David's righteousness and the purity of his walk, which he believes justified God's mighty acts of salvation towards him. This verse, Psalms 18:22, underscores his intentional adherence to God's revealed will.

Key Themes

  • Unwavering Obedience: David asserts that God's laws and decrees were always before him, meaning he consistently considered and prioritized them. This speaks to a conscious, deliberate choice to live in alignment with divine principles.
  • Integrity and Purity: The phrase "I did not put away his statutes from me" signifies a steadfast refusal to abandon, neglect, or disregard God's commands. It implies a life lived with integrity, where outward actions mirrored an inward commitment to God's standards. This aligns with the description of David as a man after God's own heart.
  • Consequence of Righteousness: Within the context of Psalm 18, David presents his adherence to God's ways as a basis for God's righteous judgment and deliverance. While salvation is ultimately by grace, the psalmist often connects a life of obedience with experiencing God's blessings and protection.

Linguistic Insights

  • "judgments" (Hebrew: ืžึดืฉึฐืืคึธึผื˜ึดื™ื, mishpatim): This term refers to God's righteous ordinances, decrees, and decisions. It encompasses not just legal rulings but also God's just ways and the principles by which He governs. David declares these were always "before him," indicating constant awareness and respect for God's righteous standards.
  • "statutes" (Hebrew: ื—ึปืงึผื•ึนืช, chuqqot): These are God's prescribed ordinances, fixed decrees, or engraved laws. They emphasize the unchanging and authoritative nature of God's commands. David's declaration that he "did not put away" these statutes highlights his consistent devotion and refusal to deviate from God's established path.

Related Scriptures

  • This verse resonates with the theme of delighting in God's law found in Psalm 1:2, where the blessed man meditates on God's law day and night.
  • David's commitment to God's decrees also finds echo in Psalm 19:7-11, which extols the perfection and benefits of the Lord's law.
  • In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes the importance of obedience as a demonstration of love: "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 18:22 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of intentional obedience and integrity in our walk with God. David's example encourages us to:

  • Keep God's Word Central: Just as God's judgments were "before" David, we are called to constantly bring God's Word to the forefront of our minds and decisions. This involves regular reading, meditation, and study of the Scriptures.
  • Cultivate a Heart of Obedience: True faith is not just intellectual assent but also active obedience. We are to strive not to "put away" God's statutes, meaning we should resist the temptation to disregard, dismiss, or rationalize away His commands in our daily lives.
  • Trust in God's Righteousness: Understanding that God's judgments and statutes are inherently good, just, and for our benefit helps us embrace them not as burdens, but as pathways to a life of blessing and intimacy with Him. Our obedience is a response to His faithfulness and love.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 119:13 (6 votes)

    ยถ With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

  • Psalms 119:112 (5 votes)

    I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, [even unto] the end.

  • Psalms 119:117 (4 votes)

    Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

  • Psalms 119:128 (4 votes)

    Therefore I esteem all [thy] precepts [concerning] all [things to be] right; [and] I hate every false way.

  • Psalms 119:30 (4 votes)

    ยถ I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid [before me].

  • John 5:14 (3 votes)

    Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.