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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 18:21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD and have not wickedly departed from my God.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/18-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/19_Psa_018_021.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 18:21 - The LORD is My Rock" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For I have kept the ways of the LORD and have not wickedly departed from my God." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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I am not guilty of turning from my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not turned from my God to follow evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of the LORD and have not wickedly departed from my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of the LORD, And have not wickedly departed from my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of the LORD, And have not acted wickedly against my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of the LORD, And have not wickedly departed from my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of the LORD, And have not wickedly departed from my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of Yahweh, And have not wickedly departed from my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of the LORD, And have not wickedly departed from my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of the LORD and have not turned from my God to wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of the LORD and have not turned from my God to wickedness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of Jehovah, And have not wickedly departed from my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I do what you want and never turn to do evil. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />because I have kept the ways of the LORD and I have not wickedly turned away from my God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I have obeyed the law of the LORD; I have not turned away from my God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />because I have kept the ways of the LORD, and I have not wickedly departed from my God;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of the LORD and have not wickedly departed from my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For I have obeyed the LORD's commands; I have not rebelled against my God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of Yahweh, and have not wickedly departed from my God. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of YHWH, "" And have not done wickedly against my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For I have kept the ways of Jehovah, And have not done wickedly against my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For I watched the ways of Jehovah, and I acted not wickedly from my God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Because I have kept the ways of the Lord; and have not done wickedly against my God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 17:22>For I have preserved the ways of the Lord, and I have not behaved impiously before my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For I kept the ways of the LORD; I was not disloyal to my God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not revolted against my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because I have kept the ways of LORD JEHOVAH, and I have not rebelled from my God.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of the LORD, And have not wickedly departed from my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For I have kept the way of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/18-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=1643" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/18.htm">The LORD is My Rock</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; He has repaid me according to the cleanness of my hands. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî·šā- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: mar·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">I have kept</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: dar·ḵê (N-cpc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">the ways</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">and have not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7561.htm" title="7561: rā·ša‘·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To be wicked, act wickedly. A primitive root; to be wrong; by implication, to disturb, violate.">wickedly departed</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: mê·’ĕ·lō·hāy (Prep-m:: N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">from my God.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>For all His ordinances are before me; I have not disregarded His statutes.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/22-22.htm">2 Samuel 22:22</a></span><br />For I have kept the ways of the LORD and have not wickedly departed from my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/8-32.htm">Proverbs 8:32-36</a></span><br />Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. / Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. / Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-14.htm">1 Kings 3:14</a></span><br />So if you walk in My ways and keep My statutes and commandments, just as your father David did, I will prolong your days.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/5-32.htm">Deuteronomy 5:32-33</a></span><br />So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or to the left. / You must walk in all the ways that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-15.htm">John 14:15</a></span><br />If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-3.htm">1 John 2:3-5</a></span><br />By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. / If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. / But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/22-5.htm">Joshua 22:5</a></span><br />But be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-22.htm">James 1:22-25</a></span><br />Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. / For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/9-4.htm">1 Kings 9:4</a></span><br />And as for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, with a heart of integrity and uprightness, doing all I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and ordinances,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/10-12.htm">Deuteronomy 10:12-13</a></span><br />And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, / and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD that I am giving you this day for your own good?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-21.htm">Matthew 7:21</a></span><br />Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/5-3.htm">1 John 5:3</a></span><br />For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/23-3.htm">2 Kings 23:3</a></span><br />So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-13.htm">Romans 2:13</a></span><br />For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-17.htm">Deuteronomy 6:17</a></span><br />You are to diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God and the testimonies and statutes He has given you.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.</p><p class="hdg">For I</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/17-4.htm">Psalm 17:4</a></b></br> Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept <i>me from</i> the paths of the destroyer.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/26-1.htm">Psalm 26:1</a></b></br> <i>A Psalm</i> of David. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; <i>therefore</i> I shall not slide.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/119-10.htm">Psalm 119:10,11</a></b></br> With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments… </p><p class="hdg">have not</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/119-102.htm">Psalm 119:102</a></b></br> I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/15-11.htm">1 Samuel 15:11</a></b></br> It repenteth me that I have set up Saul <i>to be</i> king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_john/2-19.htm">1 John 2:19</a></b></br> They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would <i>no doubt</i> have continued with us: but <i>they went out</i>, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/32-15.htm">Departed</a> <a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/17-5.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/psalms/10-15.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/psalms/17-6.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/psalms/15-4.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/psalms/17-5.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/job/34-12.htm">Wickedly</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/33-22.htm">Departed</a> <a href="/psalms/19-12.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/18-23.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/psalms/18-23.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/psalms/18-22.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/psalms/18-37.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/psalms/23-3.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/psalms/73-8.htm">Wickedly</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/18-1.htm">David praises God for his manifold and marvelous blessings</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For I have kept the ways of the LORD</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the psalmist's commitment to following God's commandments and living according to His statutes. In the context of ancient Israel, "the ways of the LORD" would refer to the laws given through Moses, which were central to the covenant relationship between God and His people. The psalmist's declaration of faithfulness can be seen as a reflection of the covenantal promise found in <a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28</a>, where blessings are promised for obedience. This commitment is also echoed in the life of Jesus Christ, who perfectly kept the ways of the Lord, fulfilling the law and the prophets (<a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a>).<p><b>and have not wickedly departed from my God.</b><br>The phrase highlights the psalmist's steadfastness in maintaining a relationship with God, avoiding the path of wickedness. In the historical context, Israel often struggled with idolatry and turning away from God, as seen in the narratives of the Judges and Kings. The psalmist's assertion contrasts with the frequent apostasy of the Israelites, serving as a personal testimony of faithfulness. This steadfastness is a type of Christ, who remained sinless and obedient to the Father, even unto death (<a href="/philippians/2-8.htm">Philippians 2:8</a>). The phrase also connects to the New Testament exhortation for believers to remain in Christ and not be led astray by false teachings (1 <a href="/john/2-24.htm">John 2:24-27</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/18.htm">Psalm 18</a>, David is expressing his devotion and faithfulness to God. This psalm is a song of deliverance, reflecting on how God has rescued him from his enemies.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. David's relationship with Yahweh is central to this verse.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies_of_david.htm">Enemies of David</a></b><br>While not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of the psalm includes David's deliverance from his enemies, which underscores his reliance on God's ways.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_to_god's_ways.htm">Faithfulness to God's Ways</a></b><br>David's declaration of keeping the ways of the LORD serves as a model for believers to remain faithful to God's commandments and teachings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_wickedness.htm">Avoiding Wickedness</a></b><br>The phrase "not wickedly departed" suggests a conscious effort to avoid sin and remain aligned with God's will. Believers are encouraged to examine their lives for areas where they may be straying from God's path.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/covenant_relationship_with_god.htm">Covenant Relationship with God</a></b><br>David's relationship with God is based on a covenant, which involves mutual commitment. Christians are reminded of their covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ and the importance of living in accordance with it.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god_for_deliverance.htm">Dependence on God for Deliverance</a></b><br>Just as David relied on God for deliverance from his enemies, believers are encouraged to trust in God's power and faithfulness in times of trouble.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_david_claim_blamelessness.htm">(2 Samuel 22:21-25) How can David claim blamelessness here when other passages (e.g., 2 Samuel 11) describe serious moral failures?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_18_20-24_align_with_2_sam_11.htm">How does David's claim of righteousness in Psalm 18:20-24 align with accounts of his moral failures elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., 2 Samuel 11)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_we_reconcile_prosperity_paradox.htm">Psalm 73:3 says the wicked prosper, yet other passages (e.g., Psalm 1:3) promise prosperity for the righteous--how do we reconcile this contradiction?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_126_6_overstate_divine_aid.htm">Does Psalm 126:6 overstate divine intervention in harvest success, appearing to conflict with passages that emphasize human effort or natural processes?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For I have kept the ways of the</span> <span class="cmt_word">Lord.</span> Compare the statement of the young man whom Jesus "looked upon and loved' (<a href="/mark/10-21.htm">Mark 10:21</a>), "All these commandments have I observed from my youth" (ver. 20). And have not wickedly departed from my God. It is observed that the word translated by "departed wickedly" implies "wilful and persistent wickedness" ('Speaker's Commentary') - "an entire alienation from God" (Calvin). Not even in the humblest of the penitential psalms, when David is bewailing his great offence, does he use this verb of himself. He is an example to all men not to indulge in a false humility, nor employ phrases concerning himself which go beyond the truth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/18-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî·šā-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I have kept</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֭מַרְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(mar·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the ways</span><br /><span class="heb">דַּרְכֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(dar·ḵê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and have not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wickedly departed</span><br /><span class="heb">רָ֝שַׁ֗עְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(rā·ša‘·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7561.htm">Strong's 7561: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be, wrong, to disturb, violate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from my God.</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאֱלֹהָֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’ĕ·lō·hāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/18-21.htm">Psalm 18:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/18-21.htm">Psalm 18:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/18-21.htm">Psalm 18:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/18-21.htm">Psalm 18:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/18-21.htm">Psalm 18:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/18-21.htm">Psalm 18:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/18-21.htm">Psalm 18:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/18-21.htm">Psalm 18:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/18-21.htm">Psalm 18:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/18-21.htm">Psalm 18:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/18-21.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 18:21 For I have kept the ways (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/18-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 18:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 18:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/18-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 18:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 18:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>