Psalms 18:25
Psalms 18:25 in Multiple Translations
To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless;
With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;
With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful; With the perfect man thou wilt show thyself perfect;
On him who has mercy you will have mercy; to the upright you will be upright;
You show trust to those who trust; you show integrity to those with integrity,
With the godly thou wilt shewe thy selfe godly: with the vpright man thou wilt shew thy selfe vpright.
With the kind Thou showest Thyself kind, With a perfect man showest Thyself perfect.
With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man, you will show yourself perfect.
With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt show thyself upright;
Yahweh, you are faithful to those who faithfully do what you tell them to do; you always do what is good/right to those who do what you want them to do.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 18:25
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 18:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יָּֽשֶׁב
יְהוָ֣ה
לִ֣/י
כְ/צִדְקִ֑/י
כְּ/בֹ֥ר
יָ֝דַ֗/י
לְ/נֶ֣גֶד
עֵינָֽי/ו
וַ/יָּֽשֶׁב
shûwb
H7725
to return
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
יְהוָ֣ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
לִ֣/י
Prep | Suff
כְ/צִדְקִ֑/י
tsedeq
H6664
Righteousness
Prep | N-ms | Suff
כְּ/בֹ֥ר
bôr
H1252
cleanness
Prep | N-ms
יָ֝דַ֗/י
yâd
H3027
hand
N-cd | Suff
לְ/נֶ֣גֶד
neged
H5048
before
Prep | Prep
עֵינָֽי/ו
ʻayin
H5869
eye
N-cd | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 18:25
וַ/יָּֽשֶׁב
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
יְהוָ֣ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
לִ֣/י
""
Prep | Suff
כְ/צִדְקִ֑/י
tsedeq
H6664
"Righteousness"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
Represents the idea of righteousness or justice, often referring to God's character or the standard for human behavior. It is closely tied to the concept of morality and what is right. The word is used to describe the ideal for human conduct and society.
Definition: This name means justice, righteousness Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 112 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] even, ([idiom] that which is altogether) just(-ice), (un-)right(-eous) (cause, -ly, -ness). See also: Leviticus 19:15; Psalms 119:138; Psalms 4:2.
כְּ/בֹ֥ר
bôr
H1252
"cleanness"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word means cleanness or pureness, describing something as free from dirt or impurities. It appears in the Bible as a state of being clean. In the KJV, it is translated as cleanness or pureness.
Definition: cleanness, pureness
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: cleanness, pureness. See also: 2 Samuel 22:21; Job 22:30; Psalms 18:21.
יָ֝דַ֗/י
yâd
H3027
"hand"
N-cd | Suff
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
לְ/נֶ֣גֶד
neged
H5048
"before"
Prep | Prep
Before or in front of something, as in Genesis 18:22 where Abraham stands before the Lord. It describes a position of being face to face or in someone's presence.
Definition: subst 1) what is conspicuous, what is in front of adv 2) in front of, straight forward, before, in sight of 3) in front of oneself, straightforward 4) before your face, in your view or purpose with prep 5) what is in front of, corresponding to 6) in front of, before 7) in the sight or presence of 8) parallel to 9) over, for 10) in front, opposite 11) at a distance prep 12) from the front of, away from 13) from before the eyes of, opposite to, at a distance from 14) from before, in front of 15) as far as the front of Aramaic equivalent: ne.ged (נֶ֫גֶד "before" H5049)
Usage: Occurs in 142 OT verses. KJV: about, (over) against, [idiom] aloof, [idiom] far (off), [idiom] from, over, presence, [idiom] other side, sight, [idiom] to view. See also: Genesis 2:18; Job 10:17; Psalms 10:5.
עֵינָֽי/ו
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
N-cd | Suff
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
Study Notes — Psalms 18:25
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 18:25 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 18:25
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 18:25
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 18:25
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 18:25
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 18:25
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 18:25
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 18:25
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 18:25
- Sermons on Psalms 18:25
Context — The LORD Is My Rock
23And I have been blameless before Him and kept myself from iniquity.
24So the LORD has repaid me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight.
25To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless;
26to the pure You show Yourself pure, but to the crooked You show Yourself shrewd. 27For You save an afflicted people, but You humble those with haughty eyes.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 5:7 | Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. |
| 2 | Psalms 62:12 | and loving devotion to You, O Lord. For You will repay each man according to his deeds. |
| 3 | Matthew 18:33–35 | Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should repay all that he owed. That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” |
| 4 | Psalms 112:4–6 | Light dawns in the darkness for the upright— for the gracious, compassionate, and righteous. It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice. Surely he will never be shaken; the righteous man will be remembered forever. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 18:25–30 | Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is it My way that is unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, he will die for this. He will die because of the iniquity he has committed. But if a wicked man turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. Because he considered and turned from all the transgressions he had committed, he will surely live; he will not die. Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are My ways unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust? Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. |
| 6 | Psalms 41:1–4 | Blessed is the one who cares for the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble. The LORD will protect and preserve him; He will bless him in the land and refuse to surrender him to the will of his foes. The LORD will sustain him on his bed of illness and restore him from his bed of sickness. I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against You.” |
| 7 | 1 Kings 8:32 | then may You hear from heaven and act. May You judge Your servants, condemning the wicked man by bringing down on his own head what he has done, and justifying the righteous man by rewarding him according to his righteousness. |
| 8 | Nehemiah 9:17 | They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them. |
| 9 | Isaiah 57:1–2 | The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; devout men are swept away, while no one considers that the righteous are guided from the presence of evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest, lying down in death. |
| 10 | Isaiah 26:7 | The path of the righteous is level; You clear a straight path for the upright. |
Psalms 18:25 Summary
This verse, Psalms 18:25, means that God is faithful to those who are faithful to Him, and He shows Himself to be blameless to those who are blameless. This is a promise that we can trust in, just like in Deuteronomy 7:9, which says God keeps His covenant with those who love Him. When we are faithful to God, we can know that He will be faithful to us, keeping His promises and being reliable in our lives, as also seen in Psalms 37:3-4, which says to trust in the Lord and do good, and He will give us the desires of our heart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for God to show Himself faithful to the faithful?
This means that when we are faithful to God, He will be faithful to us, keeping His promises and being reliable in our lives, as seen in Psalms 18:25 and also in Deuteronomy 7:9, which says God keeps His covenant with those who love Him.
How can we be blameless before God?
We can be blameless before God by following His commands and living a righteous life, as talked about in Psalms 18:23, and also in Psalms 119:1, which says blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.
Is God's faithfulness to us based on our own goodness?
No, God's faithfulness is not based on our own goodness, but rather on His own character and promises, as seen in Psalms 18:25 and also in Romans 3:3-4, which says God's faithfulness is not dependent on human faithfulness.
What is the relationship between our faithfulness and God's faithfulness?
When we are faithful to God, He is faithful to us, as seen in Psalms 18:25, and this relationship is also talked about in Matthew 25:21, which says when we are faithful in little things, God will put us in charge of many things.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can show faithfulness to God in my daily life, and how can I trust in His faithfulness to me?
- How does knowing that God shows Himself faithful to the faithful impact my decisions and actions?
- What does it mean for me to be blameless before God, and how can I strive for this in my life?
- How can I apply the promise of God's faithfulness in Psalms 18:25 to my life when I am facing challenges or difficulties?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 18:25
With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful,.... The merciful man is the good, gracious, holy, and godly man, as the word (z) here used signifies, and is sometimes rendered; one that has
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 18:25
With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 18:25
Upright, or sincere, to wit, in performing what thou hast promised to such persons, this being a great part or act of sincerity, when one’ s deeds and words, or professions, agree together; as, on the contrary, for those that deal hypocritically and wickedly with thee, thou wilt make them to know thy breach of promise, as it is expressed, . The sense of the verse is, Thou metest to every one the same measure which he meteth out to others, and givest to him the fruit of his own doings, and therefore thou wilt perform mercy and truth to those who are merciful and true to others, as through thy mercy I have been.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 18:25
Psalms 18:25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;Ver. 25. With the merciful, &c.] Hypothesin hic ad thesin transfert. It is as if he should say, I and mine enemies are a pattern of thy truth and justice, that thou wilt do good to those that are good, and to them that are upright in their hearts. As for such as turn aside unto their crooked paths, thou, Lord, shalt lead them forth with the workers of iniquity, Psalms 125:4-5.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 18:25
(25-27) It is better to change all the futures into our present. We cannot explain this description of God’s attitude to man, as if the poet were merely dealing with the conception of the Divine formed in the breast. No doubt his words are amply true in this sense. The human heart makes its God like itself, and to the pure and just He will be a pure and just God, to the cruel and unjust, cruel and unjust. But the definite mention of recompense in Psalms 18:24, and the reference to active interposition in behalf of the just in Psalms 18:27, leave us no option but to understand by “shew thyself” in Psalms 18:25-26, not an inward conception, but an external manifestation. It is, in fact, nothing more than a re-statement of the truth of which the history of Pharaoh is the most signal historic declaration, and which we maintain whenever we speak of the natural consequences of sin as retributive justice, the truth which is summed up in the text, “whatsoever a mau soweth that shall he also reap.” We must at the same time remember that the form of the statement in the psalm is due to the view current in Israel before the development of the conception of Satanic agency, that all suggestions, evil as well as good, came from the mind of the Supreme Disposer of events.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 18:25
Verse 25. With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful] Thou wilt deal with men as they deal with each other. This is the general tenor of God's providential conduct towards mankind; well expressed by Mr. Pope in his universal prayer: - "Teach me to feel another's wo; To hide the fault I see: The mercy I to others show, That mercy show to me." It is in reference to this that our Lord teaches us to pray: "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us." If we act feelingly and mercifully towards our fellow creatures, God will act tenderly and compassionately towards us. The merciful, the upright, and the pure, will ever have the God of mercy, uprightness, and purity, to defend and support them.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 18:25
25. With the merciful &c.] The man whose conduct in life is governed by the spirit of lovingkindness will himself experience the lovingkindness of Jehovah. Cp. Matthew 5:7; Matthew 6:12; Matthew 6:14-15; and for the meaning of merciful see notes on Psalms 4:3, Psalms 12:1, and Appendix, Note I. with an upright man &c.] Rather as R.V., with the perfect man thou wilt shew thyself perfect. Singlehearted devotion will find a response of unswerving faithfulness. The text in 2 Sam. has “the perfect hero,” the man who is valiant in maintaining his own integrity. But the reading is questionable.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 18:25
With the merciful - From the particular statement respecting the divine dealings with himself the psalmist now passes to a general statement (suggested by what God had done for him) in regard to the
Sermons on Psalms 18:25
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Holy Spirit Reveals the Father by Zac Poonen | This sermon delves into the revelation of God as a Trinity, exploring the mystery of God being one yet revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It emphasizes the importance of und |
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The Beatitudes the Fifth Beatitude by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink emphasizes the significance of the fifth Beatitude, 'Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy,' highlighting that true mercifulness is a reflection of the me |
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Delighting in God by Warren Wiersbe | Warren Wiersbe emphasizes the importance of having a personal relationship with God, highlighting how God delights in us when we walk with integrity and obey His Word. The passage |
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Blessed Are the Merciful by Warren Wiersbe | Warren Wiersbe emphasizes the concept that mercy cannot be earned but is freely given by God. He explains that as Christians, we are called to be constant channels of mercy, receiv |
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We Receive as We Give by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the principle that mercy begets mercy, urging believers to forgive and give generously to others. He warns that those who refuse to show kindness and compa |
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Hosea 4:1 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith addresses God's controversy with the children of Israel, emphasizing that while they enjoyed the privileges of being His people, they also bore the weight of higher acc |
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Forgiveness by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the central theme of the Bible, which is the cross of Jesus Christ. He specifically highlights Isaiah 53 as a passage that reveals the signi |