What is the context?
David says that the LORD has rewarded him according to his righteousness and the cleanness of his hands. He speaks of keeping God’s ways, attending to His commands and turning from wrongdoing.
The song then describes God’s dealings with the faithful, the pure and the crooked. God saves afflicted people and brings down the proud. David calls the LORD his lamp and credits Him with strength to face an army or scale a wall.
These statements belong beside the rest of Samuel’s account of David. The same book records his grave wrongdoing, Nathan’s rebuke and David’s confession. His words here need to be understood within that fuller picture.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Gill, on Psalm 18:20, understands David’s clean hands in relation to the accusations and persecution he faced, especially his refusal to kill Saul when he had the chance. On this reading, David is speaking of the rightness of his cause rather than claiming a sinless life.
Gill also reads the language more fully in relation to Christ, whose obedience is complete. That is his further reading of the song; it should be distinguished from what the narrative records about David himself.
Verses 26–30 keep attention on God’s response to human conduct and on the help David receives. The king who speaks of obedience still depends on God for light and strength.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.