17. He delivered me from my strong enemy and from those who hated and abhorred me, for they were too strong for me.
18. They confronted and came upon me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my stay and support.
19. He brought me forth also into a large place; He was delivering me because He was pleased with me and delighted in me.
20. The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness (my conscious integrity and sincerity with Him); according to the cleanness of my hands has He recompensed me.
21. For I have kept the ways of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God.
22. For all His ordinances were before me, and I put not away His statutes from me.
23. I was upright before Him and blameless with Him, ever [on guard] to keep myself free from my sin and guilt.
24. Therefore has the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness (my uprightness and right standing with Him), according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight.
25. With the kind and merciful You will show Yourself kind and merciful, with an upright man You will show Yourself upright,
26. With the pure You will show Yourself pure, and with the perverse You will show Yourself contrary.
27. For You deliver an afflicted and humble people but will bring down those with haughty looks.