I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.
In its setting the verse belongs to the psalmist's testimony to keeping the Lord's ways and judgments and statutes without turning wickedly away from them, and to be upright before Him is to keep oneself from one's own iniquity, the wrongdoing that would otherwise belong to the person. This uprightness is attainable by a person working under God's direction. The verse is part of the assurance that God judges justly and rewards and recompenses according to righteousness and cleanness of hands and moral cleanness of life. Those who use their hands for wrongdoing cannot expect God's blessing, while those who refrain from evil can bear witness to their faithfulness. Its surrounding context also teaches that God gives strength and light and protection and help to those who trust in Him.
In its setting the verse belongs to the psalmist's testimony to keeping the Lord's ways and judgments and statutes without turning wickedly away from them, and to be upright before Him is to keep oneself from one's own iniquity, the wrongdoing that would otherwise belong to the person. This uprightness is attainable by a person working under God's direction. The verse is part of the assurance that God judges justly and rewards and recompenses according to righteousness and cleanness of hands and moral cleanness of life. Those who use their hands for wrongdoing cannot expect God's blessing, while those who refrain from evil can bear witness to their faithfulness. Its surrounding context also teaches that God gives strength and light and protection and help to those who trust in Him.