I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. (Psalm 18:23)
David is triumphant. He has been delivered from his enemies, including Saul. God is his rock, fortress, shield and refuge. God is his salvation. And David draws a direct correlation between his vindication and his keeping of God's commandments.
He has kept the ways of the Lord (v. 21), and he has not turned away from God'd decrees (v. 22). He is blameless and God has rewarded him according to his purity. Ironic really. And sad.
Later David ascends Saul's throne. Later still, surveying all before him, David sees Bathsheba. Deceit, adultery and murder follow in quick succession. Clean hands are now stained with blood. And David reaps what he sows.
Pride goes before the fall. None are blameless, none are pure. All have sinned and fallen short. Even David, a man after God's own heart. David's greatest enemy was perhaps not Goliath, nor the Philistines, nor King Saul. David's greatest enemy was within. His greatest battle was with himself. As it was for David so it is with me. As God rescued David from himself, so too God rescues me.
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