The Rabbi

(psalm 18, a thanksgiving psalm)

He brought me forth also into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me (v19).

As asked, God rescued David

But what follows challenges the pious, Calvinistic--totally depraved christian

The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me.
For I have kept the ways of the LORD, And have not wickedly departed from my God.
For all His ordinances were before me, And I did not put away His statutes from me.
I was also blameless with Him, And I kept myself from my iniquity.
Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to the cleanness of my hands in His eyes.

Boldly David approaches his saving, delivering God in thanksgiving for work rendered
But just read those words: You, yhwh, did it because I "earned" it!

I guess that's one way to misread this text, and perhaps the initial response of many christians
but then how often have I taught that God blesses obedience,
here David obeyed, God blessed, David thanked rehearsing the prior situation
Gerstenberger calls David's response a declaration on integrity
why is such so foreign to the interpretation of the NT taught and preached?
Should I question that basic OT premise: obedience>blessing?
And if it's true, may I not so claim, or better hold God to his promise?
David did, but I say arrogance! Why?
Something here does not resonate
If behavior counts, and many would deny that it does, and I behave
can I not thank God working with me, just as I would if he worked in spite of me?
For now, I will hold onto David, but question the understanding of the OT taught