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Psalms 18:26

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 18:26 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; And with the perverse thou wilt show thyself froward.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; And with the perverse thou wilt show thyself froward.
Psalms 18:26 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
23I was also perfect with him, And I kept myself from mine iniquity.
24Therefore hath Jehovah recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.
25With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful; With the perfect man thou wilt show thyself perfect;
26With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; And with the perverse thou wilt show thyself froward.
27For thou wilt save the afflicted people; But the haughty eyes thou wilt bring down.
28For thou wilt light my lamp: Jehovah my God will lighten my darkness.
29For by thee I run upon a troop; And by my God do I leap over a wall.
← Psalms 18:25Psalms 18:27 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“froward--contrary to.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“With the pure - Those who are pure in their thoughts, their motives, their conduct. Thou wilt show thyself pure - They will find that they have to deal with a God who is himself pure; who loves purity, and who will accompany it with appropriate rewards wherever it is found. And with the froward - The word used here - עקשׁ ‛iqqêsh - means properly perverse; a man of a perverse and wicked mind. It is derived from a verb - עקשׁ ‛âqash - which means, to turn the wrong way, to wrest, to pervert. It would be applicable to a man who perverts or wrests the words of others from their true meaning; who prevaricates or is deceitful in his own conduct; who is not straightforward in his dealings; who…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Pure - Free from the least mixture or appearance of unrighteousness, or unfaithfulness. Froward - Thou wilt cross him and walk contrary to him. Psalms 18:28”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“18:26 The pure have clean hands (see 18:20-24). • to the crooked you show yourself shrewd: The Lord knows each person’s character, and he justly responds to them in kind.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“froward: Psa 109:17-19; Lev 26:23, Lev 26:24, Lev 26:27, Lev 26:28; Pro 3:34; Rom 2:4-6, Rom 2:9; Jam 2:13 show thyself froward: or, wrestle Psalms 18:27”
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Related study paths

Read Psalms 18 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification