Psalms 18:25-29

God responds in kind as people act toward Him (cf. Galatians 6:7). He rewards them because of their characters and deeds. He is always just. Those who try to twist God to make Him serve their ends will find that He will bend them to fulfill His will (cf. Jacob and Balaam). [Note: See Robert B. Chisholm Jr., "Does God Deceive?" Bibliotheca Sacra 155:617 (January-March 1998):11-28.] He saves the humble and humbles those who think they can save themselves.

"The psalmist does not say that God shows himself ’shrewd’ ([NASB "astute"] Psalms 18:26) in the sense that he deals wisely with the wicked but that he ’acts corruptly’ (’crooked’) with those who are ’crooked.’ Even as God deals lovingly with those who love him, he lets the crooked acts of the wicked boomerang on their own heads. They receive their just deserts." [Note: VanGemeren, p. 174.]

"The way we relate to the Lord determines how the Lord relates to us (Psalms 18:25-27)." [Note: Wiersbe, The . . . Wisdom . . ., p. 124.]

God kept the lamp of David’s life burning by delivering his life from the hands of his enemies. Moreover He enabled His servant to advance against his foes and to overcome their defenses.