Psalms 18:23 — Word Study
WLCוָאֱהִ֣י תָמִ֣ים עִמּ֑וֹ וָ֝אֶשְׁתַּמֵּ֗ר מֵעֲוֹנִֽי׃
BSAforkîy allkôl justicemishpâṭ beforeneged [in the presence of, standing before] statutechuqqâh notlôʼ to turn asideçûwr frommin [free from, apart from]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וָאֱהִ֣י | and I have been | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect first person common singular |
| תָמִ֣ים | blameless | |
| עִמּ֑וֹ | with him | Preposition, suffix |
| וָ֝אֶשְׁתַּמֵּ֗ר | and I have kept myself | Verb, Hithpael, sequential imperfect first person common singular |
| מֵעֲוֹנִֽי׃ | from iniquity my | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | And I have been blameless before Him and kept myself from iniquity. |
| KJV | I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. |
| ASV | I was also perfect with him, And I kept myself from mine iniquity. |
| YLT | And I am perfect with him, And I keep myself from mine iniquity. |
| WEB | I was also blameless with him. I kept myself from my iniquity. |
| BBE | And I was upright before him, and I kept myself from sin. |
All translations agree on the rendering of תָמִ֣ים as blameless.
The main clause asserts the psalmist's state, with additional phrases providing context about his relationship with God and his actions.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbכֹּל
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 18:23
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Righteousness of the Psalmistgenerated
Psalms 18:23 is part of a passage where the psalmist reflects on his faithfulness to God and the resultant blessings. He asserts his blamelessness and commitment to avoiding sin, which leads to God's favor. This theme of integrity is echoed throughout the psalm, illustrating the relationship between righteousness and divine response.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 7:1–8 | O LORD my God, I take refuge in You; save me and deliver me from all my pursuers, |
| 2 | Psalm 11:7 | For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face. |
| 3 | Psalm 17:3 | You have tried my heart; You have visited me in the night. You have tested me and found no evil; I have resolved not to sin with my mouth. |
| 4 | Psalm 37:27 | Turn away from evil and do good, so that you will abide forever. |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 26:23 | May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. For the LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תָמִ֣ים, ta.Mimgenerated
The Hebrew word תָּמִים (*tamiym*) conveys the idea of being complete, sound, or whole. It is often used to describe moral integrity and innocence, much like the unblemished sacrifices described in Leviticus. The word reflects a state of being that is in accord with truth and righteousness.
In this verse, the psalmist uses תָמִים to describe his own moral state before God, indicating that he is blameless and without defect in his conduct. This assertion of integrity serves to highlight the psalmist's commitment to living in accordance with God's standards.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses blameless for תָמִ֣ים.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is אֱהִ֣י, and I have been, which governs the phrase that follows, describing the psalmist's state of being. The structure emphasizes the psalmist's relationship with God and his moral standing.
The phrase תָמִ֣ים serves as the object of the verb, indicating what the psalmist claims to be in the presence of God. The subsequent clause וָ֝אֶשְׁתַּמֵּ֗ר introduces another action, showing the psalmist's active role in guarding himself against iniquity.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates תָמִ֣ים as κρίματα, which means judgments or ordinances. This choice reflects a shift from personal integrity to an emphasis on God's laws or decrees.
This translation indicates that the Septuagint interpreters may have understood the psalmist's blamelessness in relation to adherence to divine statutes rather than solely as a personal moral claim.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 18:23 expresses the psalmist's claim of being blameless before God and his dedication to avoiding sin. He emphasizes his integrity and the importance of maintaining a pure relationship with God.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To be blameless means to live with integrity and to avoid wrongdoing, reflecting a commitment to God's standards.
The psalmist actively guards his actions and thoughts, ensuring they align with God's commands.
Being blameless is linked to receiving God's favor and blessings, as seen throughout the psalms.
We can strive to live with honesty and moral uprightness, seeking to align our actions with God's will.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to strive for greater integrity?
- How can I actively guard myself against moral failures?
- What steps can I take to ensure my actions align with my faith?
- How does my relationship with God influence my moral choices?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators reference this verse to highlight the psalmist's integrity and the importance of being blameless before God.
"And I shall be undefiled with Him, and I shall keep Myself from Mine iniquity" [Psalms 18:23].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 18 →
I will be blameless with him, with that very one who, himself blameless, suffered on the cross for our iniquities.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 18 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 18:23 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI was also upright before him,.... In heart and conversation, being sincere and faithful; so David was in the sight of God; but this is much more true of Christ, in whom there was no unrighteousness
Read John Gill on Psalms 18 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. I was also upright before him - literally, with Him (Genesis 17:1; Deuteronomy 18:13).
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 18 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleI did not pretend religion before men for my own ends, but did approve my heart and ways to the all-seeing God. And I kept myself from mine iniquity, i e. from that sin which I was most inclined or tempted to; either, 1. From my hereditary and natural corruption, so far that it should not have dominion over me, nor break forth into any presumptuous or scandalous sins. Or rather, 2. From the sin of killing Saul, which might be called his sin, because this might seem most agreeable and desirable to him, both as a man and as a soldier, and as anointed to be king, as being a likely way both to revenge, and to preserve, and to advance himself; to which also he might seem to be both invited by…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 18 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 18:23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.Ver. 23. I was also upright before him] This he had because he kept God’ s commandments, as Psalms 18:22, had respect to them all, Psalms 119:6, both to the magnalia and minutula legis, which he kept as the apple of his eye, Proverbs 7:2, even all God’ s wills, Acts 13:22, and was therefore approved in Christ, as Apelles, Romans 16:10, and passed for an Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile, as Nathanael, John 1:47. And I kept myself from mine iniquity] i.e. From my peccatum in deliciis, my darling sin, whereto I am either by nature or custom most inclined and addicted; from the iniquity of my heart and secret…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 18 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(20-23) for this protestation of innocence comp. Psalms 7, 17 and Job, passim. Self-righteous pride and vindication of one’s character under calumny are very different things. If taken of the nation at large, comp. Numbers 23:21. Here, also, the text in Samuel offers one or two trifling variations from ours.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 18 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 23. I was also upright] The times in which David was most afflicted were the times of his greatest uprightness. Adversity was always to him a time of spiritual prosperity. Mine iniquity.] Probably meaning what is generally termed the easily-besetting sin; the sin of his constitution, or that to which the temperament of his body most powerfully disposed him. What this was, is a subject of useless conjecture.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 18 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges23. upright before him] R.V., perfect with him, living in the fellowship of a sincere devotion. See note on Psalms 15:2. I kept myself from mine iniquity] I have watched over myself that I might not transgress, lest I should cherish any sin till it became a part of me. There is no reference to indwelling corruption or a besetting sin.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 18 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI was also upright before him - Margin, with. The meaning is that he was upright in his sight. The word rendered upright is the same which in Job 1:1 is rendered perfect. See the note at that passage.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 18 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
And I have been blameless before Him and kept myself from iniquity.
I was also blameless with him. I kept myself from my iniquity.
And I have been blameless before Him and kept myself from iniquity.
I was innocent before him, and kept myself from sinning.
Tyndale line
I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.
I was also perfect with him, And I kept myself from mine iniquity.
I was also perfect with him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.
I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from my iniquity.
I was vpright also with him, and haue kept me from my wickednes.
Strictly literal
And I was upright with him, and kept myself from mine iniquity.
And I am perfect with him, And I keep myself from mine iniquity.
And I am perfect with Him, || And I keep myself from my iniquity.
(18:24) I was also upright with him, and I guarded myself against my iniquity.
I have also been innocent before him, and I have kept myself from sin.
Simplified
I am blameless in his sight; I keep myself from sinning.
And I was upright before him, and I kept myself from sin.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in their wording, with all five words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls, however, show some variations, with three words partially restored, indicating possible textual damage.
וָאֱהִ֣י תָמִ֣ים עִמּ֑וֹ וָ֝אֶשְׁתַּמֵּ֗ר מֵעֲוֹנִֽי׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
כי כל משפטי׳ו לנגד׳י [וחקתי׳ו] [לא] [אסיר] מנ׳י
3 words on the leather — 2 partly restored, 3 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 18:23
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Hc/Vqw1cs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect first person common singularHc/Vqw1cs
The Hebrew word תָּמִים (*tamiym*) means complete, sound, or whole. It encompasses notions of integrity, truth, and being unblemished or innocent. The word can function as both an adjective and a noun, referring to what is entire or in accord with truth. It is derived from a root that conveys the idea of being entire or perfect.
תָּמִים 91 adj. complete, sound
complete, whole, entire
whole, sound, healthful
complete, entire, of time
sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity
as neuter adj. = subst. what is complete, entirely in accord with truth and fact
base
H8549 תָּמִים complete, sound . complete, whole, entire
. whole, sound, healthful
. complete, entire, of time
. sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity
. as neuter adj. = subst. what is complete, entirely in accord with truth and fact
8549 tamiym taw-meem'
from 8552; entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also
(as noun) integrity, truth:--without blemish, complete, full,
perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled,
upright(-ly), whole.
see HEBREW for 08552
תָּמִים (ta.mim) — unblemished.
: unblemished/perfect
1) complete, whole, entire, sound
1a) complete, whole, entire
1b) whole, sound, healthful
1c) complete, entire (of time)
1d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity
1e) what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact (neuter adj/subst)
תָּמִים (ta.mim) — unblemished: blameless.
: blameless
1) complete, whole, entire, sound
1a) complete, whole, entire
1b) whole, sound, healthful
1c) complete, entire (of time)
1d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity
1e) what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact (neuter adj/subst)
תָּמִים (ta.mim) — unblemished: complete.
: complete
1) complete, whole, entire, sound
1a) complete, whole, entire
1b) whole, sound, healthful
1c) complete, entire (of time)
1d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity
HAamsa — HAamsa
עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.
עִם prep. with
of fellowship and companionship
of aid
Of actions done jointly with another
If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against
Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another
Of a common lot together with the wicked
Of equality or resemblance generally aid
Of time, as long as
Of a locality, close to, beside
Of persons, עִם is spec.
in the house or family or service of
In possession of
In the custody or care of
Beside = except
With = friendly with
Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
base
מֵעִם 72 from with or beside
base
H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship
. Of a locality, close to, beside
. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of
. In possession of
. In the custody or care of
. Beside = except
. With = friendly with
. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one
. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding
H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside
5973 `im eem
from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction
with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;
often with prepositional prefix (and then usually
unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X
long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from
(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,
with(-al).
see HEBREW for 06004
עִם (im) — with.
1) with
1a) with
1b) against
1c) toward
1d) as long as
מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.
1a) beside, except
1b) in spite of
HR/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word שָׁמַר (*shamar*) is a primitive root meaning to keep, guard, or observe. It encompasses a wide range of actions including protecting, waiting for, and celebrating obligations like the Sabbath. The verb appears in various forms, indicating nuances such as being on guard or refraining from certain actions. It is used extensively in the Old Testament, reflecting both physical and moral vigilance.
שָׁמַר 465 vb. keep, watch, preserve
Qal 425
keep, have charge of
keep, guard, captives
hence, watch for, wait for
watch, observe
keep, retain, of storing up (food)
keep within bounds, restrain
observe, celebrate
keep sabbath
of other obligations
observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
sts. י׳ subj.
keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
Niph.
36be on one's guard
keep oneself, refrain, abstain
be kept, guarded
Pi. those paying regard to false vanities
Hithp. I kept myself from
base
H8104 שָׁמַר keep, watch, preserve .. . keep, have charge of
. keep, guard, captives
. hence, watch for, wait for
. watch, observe
. . keep, retain, of storing up (food)
. keep within bounds, restrain
. . observe, celebrate
. keep sabbath
. of other obligations
. observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
. sts. י׳ subj.
. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
. . be on one's guard
. keep oneself, refrain, abstain
. be kept, guarded
. those paying regard to false vanities
. I kept myself from
8104 shamar shaw-mar'
a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns),
i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:--beward,
be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark,
look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save
(self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: obey.
: obey/observe
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to keep, have charge of
1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)
1a3) to watch for, wait for
1a4) to watch, observe
1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory)
1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain
1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow)
1a8) to keep, preserve, protect
1a9) to keep, reserve
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware
1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain
1b3) to be kept, be guarded
1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed
1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: guard.
: guard
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to keep, have charge of
1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)
Hc/Vtw1cs — Verb · Hithpael · sequential imperfect first person common singularHc/Vtw1cs
עָוֹן (avon) refers to iniquity, guilt, or the punishment associated with iniquity. It encompasses concepts of moral evil, such as perversity and depravity, and includes the consequences or punishment for these actions. The term appears in contexts like 2 Kings 7:9 and Psalm 51:5, highlighting its significance in discussions of sin and guilt.
עָוֹן n.m. iniquity, guilt, or punishment of iniquity
base
H5771 עָוֹן iniquity, guilt, or punishment of iniquity
5771 `avon aw-vone'
or oavown (2 Kings 7:9; Psalm 51:5 (7)) {aw-vone'}; from
5753; perversity, i.e. (moral) evil:--fault, iniquity,
mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin.
see HEBREW for 07
see HEBREW for 05753
עָוֺן (a.van) — iniquity: crime.
: crime
1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity
1a) iniquity
1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)
1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
עָוֺן (a.van) — iniquity: guilt.
: guilt
1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity
1a) iniquity
1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)
1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
עָוֺן (a.van) — iniquity: punishment.
: punishment
1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity
1a) iniquity
1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)
1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
HR/Ncmsc/Sp1bs — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp1bs
