What does 2 Samuel 22:21 mean?

"The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me." - 2 Samuel 22:21

"The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me." - 2 Samuel 22:21

The verse 2 Samuel 22:21 from the King James Version of the Bible reads: "The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me."

This verse is part of a larger passage in which King David is praising the Lord for delivering him from his enemies. The context of this verse is important for understanding its meaning and significance. In the preceding verses, David speaks of God as his rock, his fortress, and his deliverer. He recounts how God rescued him from the hands of his enemies and how he called out to the Lord in his distress, and the Lord heard him and responded. David goes on to describe how the Lord came down from heaven and rescued him, drawing him out of deep waters and delivering him from the strong enemy. It is in this context of deliverance and gratitude that David expresses the sentiment of 2 Samuel 22:21.

The verse speaks to the theme of divine reward and recompense. David is acknowledging that God rewards him according to his righteousness and the cleanness of his hands. This verse is a declaration of David's faith in God's justice and the belief that God blesses and rewards those who walk in righteousness and integrity. It reflects the biblical principle of reaping what one sows, as well as the belief that God is a just and fair judge who rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked.

The symbolism in this verse lies in the imagery of cleanness and righteousness. The concept of "clean hands" is a metaphor for moral purity and integrity. In the Bible, "clean hands" are often used to symbolize innocence and righteousness. The idea of being rewarded according to one's righteousness and the cleanness of one's hands emphasizes the importance of moral purity and ethical behavior in the eyes of God. It underscores the belief that God's blessings are reserved for those who live upright and virtuous lives.

This verse also speaks to the broader themes of faith, gratitude, and trust in God's providence. David's praise and thanksgiving to the Lord in this passage demonstrate his unwavering faith in God's protection and provision. It is a reflection of his deep trust in God's faithfulness and his gratitude for God's deliverance. The verse serves as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging and giving thanks for God's blessings and as a declaration of David's reliance on God for his vindication and reward.

In conclusion, 2 Samuel 22:21 is a powerful declaration of faith in God's justice and a recognition of the importance of righteousness and moral purity in the eyes of God. It is a reflection of David's gratitude for God's deliverance and a reminder of the biblical principle of divine reward and recompense. The verse's themes of faith, gratitude, and trust in God's providence, as well as its symbolism of moral purity and integrity, make it a significant and profound expression of David's relationship with God.

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2 Samuel 22:21 Artwork

2 Samuel 22:21 - "The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me."

2 Samuel 22:21 - "The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me."

"The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me." - 2 Samuel 22:21

"The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me." - 2 Samuel 22:21

2 Samuel 21:22 - "These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants."

2 Samuel 21:22 - "These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants."

1 Samuel 22:21 - "And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests."

1 Samuel 22:21 - "And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests."

"These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants." - 2 Samuel 21:22

"These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants." - 2 Samuel 21:22

2 Samuel 24:22

2 Samuel 24:22

2 Samuel 24:22

2 Samuel 24:22

2 Samuel 24:22

2 Samuel 24:22

2 Samuel 22:22 - "For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God."

2 Samuel 22:22 - "For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God."

2 Samuel 21:21 - "And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him."

2 Samuel 21:21 - "And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him."

2 Samuel 22:17-20

2 Samuel 22:17-20

2 Samuel 6:14–22

2 Samuel 6:14–22

2 Samuel 22:2 - "And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;"

2 Samuel 22:2 - "And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;"

2 samuel 23:8-21

2 samuel 23:8-21

"And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests." - 1 Samuel 22:21

"And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests." - 1 Samuel 22:21

2 Samuel 5:21 - "And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them."

2 Samuel 5:21 - "And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them."

1 Samuel 2:21 - "And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD."

1 Samuel 2:21 - "And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD."

2 Samuel 22:19 - "They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay."

2 Samuel 22:19 - "They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay."

2 Samuel 22:48 - "It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me,"

2 Samuel 22:48 - "It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me,"

2 Samuel 22:13 - "Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled."

2 Samuel 22:13 - "Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled."

2 Samuel 21:11 - "And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done."

2 Samuel 21:11 - "And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done."

2 Samuel 22:46 - "Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places."

2 Samuel 22:46 - "Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places."

2 Samuel 22:42 - "They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not."

2 Samuel 22:42 - "They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not."

2 Samuel 22:33 - "God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect."

2 Samuel 22:33 - "God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect."

2 Samuel 22:6 - "The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;"

2 Samuel 22:6 - "The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;"

2 Samuel 22:15 - "And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them."

2 Samuel 22:15 - "And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them."

2 Samuel 22:32 - "For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?"

2 Samuel 22:32 - "For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?"

2 Samuel 5:22 - "¶ And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim."

2 Samuel 5:22 - "¶ And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim."

2 Samuel 22:14 - "The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice."

2 Samuel 22:14 - "The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice."

2 Samuel 13:21 - "¶ But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth."

2 Samuel 13:21 - "¶ But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth."