| Geneva Study Bible With the {t} merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; (t) Here he speaks of God according to our capacity, who shows mercy to his and punishes the wicked, as is also said in Le 26:21,24. Wesley's Notes 18:25 Upright - Thou metest to every one the same measure, which he meteth out to others; and therefore thou wilt perform mercy and truth, to those who are merciful and true to others. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 25-27. God renders to men according to their deeds in a penal, not vindictive, sense (Le 26:23, 24). merciful-or, "kind" (Ps 4:3). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 18:20-28 Those that forsake the ways of the Lord, depart from their God. But though conscious to ourselves of many a false step, let there not be a wicked departure from our God. David kept his eye upon the rule of God's commands. Constant care to keep from that sin, whatever it be, which most easily besets us, proves that we are upright before God. Those who show mercy to others, even they need mercy. Those who are faithful to God, shall find him all that to them which he has promised to be. The words of the Lord are pure words, very sure to be depended on, and very sweet to be delighted in. Those who resist God, and walk contrary to him, shall find that he will walk contrary to them, Le 26:21-24. The gracious recompence of which David spoke, may generally be expected by those who act from right motives. Hence he speaks comfort to the humble, and terror to the proud; Thou wilt bring down high looks. And he speaks encouragement to himself; Thou wilt light my candle: thou wilt revive and comfort my sorrowful spirit; thou wilt guide my way, that I may avoid the snares laid for me. Thou wilt light my candle to work by, and give me an opportunity of serving thee. Let those that walk in darkness, and labour under discouragements, take courage; God himself will be a Light to them. | 
