Podcast Summary: Grace in Focus

Episode: Does Psalm 18:20 Refer to David’s Imputed Righteousness?
Date: March 23, 2026
Hosts: Bob Wilkin, Ken Yates
Produced by: Grace Evangelical Society

Episode Overview

This concise, focused episode addresses a listener question regarding Psalm 18:20 and its reference to righteousness. Specifically, Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates discuss whether David, in Psalm 18, is alluding to his own earned or experiential righteousness or if he is referring to a future, Messiah-imputed righteousness—an idea central to discussions about justification, sanctification, and Free Grace Theology.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Context and Listener Question

[01:22-03:28]

• Question from Listener Todd: Does David, when speaking of being rewarded “according to my righteousness” (Psalm 18:20-24), refer to a righteousness received from the future Messiah or to his own personal righteousness, despite his known sins?
• Background: Bob clarifies he authored a commentary on Psalm 18 and acknowledges the question’s complexity.

The Superscript and Historical Context

[03:28-04:50]

• Superscript Significance:
  • Bob explains that the Psalm’s superscript sets context: David sang this psalm after being delivered from Saul and his enemies.
  • Quote (Bob, 04:38):
    “It was a psalm of David…on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all of his enemies and from the hand of Saul.”
• Interpretation:
  • Ken asserts the ‘reward’ in this context is David’s preservation from death—a very real, physical deliverance.

Nature of “Righteousness” in Psalm 18

[05:19-06:24]

• Not Imputed Righteousness:
  • Ken and Bob agree David speaks of personal, practical righteous living, not an imputed righteousness from the Messiah.
  • Quote (Ken, 06:29):
    “What David is saying is that he was obedient to the Lord when these enemies were after him. And the Lord rewarded him for that.”
• Messiah’s Role:
  • The hosts discuss whether David’s righteousness results from the Messiah’s future work or strength, ultimately agreeing the passage reflects David’s real-time obedience.

Old Testament Characters vs. New Testament Standards

[07:57-09:07]

• David’s Flaws and Timeline:
  • They clarify the events celebrated in Psalm 18 occurred before David’s later major sins (Bathsheba/Uriah).
  • Quote (Bob, 07:15):
    “He was a person that was flawed—before Bathsheba and Uriah.”
• Judging Biblical Characters:
  • Bob points out the danger of judging Old Testament saints by New Testament (and especially church leadership) standards.

Broader Biblical Examples

[09:07-10:34]

• Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11):
  • Bob references judges in Hebrews 11 (Samson, Gideon, Jephthah, Barak), noting their significant flaws.
  • Quote (Bob, 09:49):
    “These guys are terrible human beings. Samson, man alive... it was only at his death that he really was victorious.”
• Lot as ‘Righteous’:
  • Peter calls Lot ‘righteous’ (2 Peter 2) despite his questionable actions in Genesis.

Personal and Experiential Righteousness

[10:34-12:52]

• Righteous Yet Flawed:
  • Ken suggests Christians can consider themselves righteous in a practical sense, even while acknowledging flaws.
  • Quote (Ken, 08:59):
    “Can we believe that we are righteous in our experience and yet see flaws in our own lives? I think we can.”
• Divine Empowerment and Responsibility:
  • Bob affirms God both empowers and holds believers responsible for righteous or unrighteous living.
  • Quote (Bob, 11:48):
    “…he knows he is a person who’s living in a way that is pleasing to God. And that’s not hubris… the Holy Spirit has made it clear to him that he is righteous.”
• Eternal Rewards:
  • Ken hints at the idea that living righteously is not only rewarded in this life but may also point toward eternal rewards.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Psalm’s Context:
  “I think what he’s talking about in verses 20 and 24 is he was rewarded with his life. He could have and should have died at the hands of Saul…”
  — Bob Wilkin [04:50]

• Balancing Human Flaws with Righteous Living:
  “Otherwise, none of us would be able to say, I am spiritually minded. None of us could say, I am a mature believer.”
  — Ken Yates [08:59]

• Judging Old Testament Characters:
  “David couldn’t be a janitor in a church today with all his women…and again, it happened later than Psalm 18. But, okay, you committed murder, you took this guy’s wife, you did all these other things… No, you can’t be a leader in this church.”
  — Bob Wilkin [09:07]

• Reward for Righteous Living:
  “And the Lord, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament, rewards those who live righteously.”
  — Ken Yates [12:46]

Important Timestamps

• [01:22] — Listener question is introduced
• [03:28] — Discussion of Psalm 18’s superscript/context
• [06:29] — Distinction between personal righteousness and imputed righteousness
• [07:15] — Addressing David’s flaws and timing
• [09:42] — Discussion of Hebrews 11 “Hall of Faith” figures
• [10:34] — Lot called ‘righteous’ in the New Testament
• [11:48] — Summarizing David’s practical righteousness and God’s reward

Conclusion

Summary:
David’s declaration of righteousness in Psalm 18:20 refers to his own real-time, experiential obedience during the period of persecution by Saul—not to a future, Messiah-imputed righteousness. The hosts clarify this distinction, explore the broader implications for understanding righteousness and reward in the Old and New Testaments, and caution listeners against applying present-day standards retroactively to biblical figures.

Final Word:
Living righteously brings God’s rewards both now and in eternity, and anyone—like David—can be called righteous based on faithful, obedient living, even with human flaws.