Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.

2 SAMUEL 22:25KJV
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2 Samuel 22:25 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 22:25 mean?

2 Samuel 22:25 gives David’s explanation for the help he has received from the LORD. David says the LORD has repaid him in keeping with his righteousness: conduct that is right and just. David presents his rescue as the LORD’s response to a life the LORD sees as clean.

The phrase “in his eye sight” places the judgment with the LORD, not with other people. David is speaking in a song after the LORD delivered him from his enemies and from Saul. His words connect his deliverance with the conduct he has described in the preceding verses.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 22:25

  • “recompensed” — שׁוּב (shuv): This word often means “to return” or “give back.” Here it pictures the LORD’s response as something given back in accordance with David’s conduct.
  • “cleanness” — בֹּר (bor): This word carries the sense of purity or being free from stain. In this verse, “cleanness” describes David’s conduct as seen by the LORD.

Why 2 Samuel 22:25 matters

  • David’s claim concerns more than outward appearances. “In his eye sight” makes the LORD the one who sees and weighs David’s cleanness.
  • The verse belongs to David’s account of being rescued from enemies. The song begins by identifying the LORD as his deliverer, and verse 25 gives David’s understanding of that deliverance.
  • David connects his claim with his actions. In the preceding verses, he says he has kept the LORD’s ways and kept himself from wrongdoing.

Where else these words appear

“cleanness” Hebrew H1252 · used in 6 verses

  • 2 Samuel 22:21 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
  • Job 9:30 If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;
  • Psalms 18:20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.

“sight” Hebrew H5048 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 21:16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
  • 1 Kings 8:22 And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:
  • Nehemiah 13:21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.

“righteousness” Hebrew H6666 · used in 150 verses

  • Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
  • Psalms 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
  • Isaiah 56:1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.