Contradiction with Romans 3:10
This verse states, "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one," contradicting Psalms 18:20 which implies personal righteousness leads to recompense.
Romans 3:10: As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Contradiction with Isaiah 64:6
This verse declares that "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags," suggesting human righteousness is inadequate, contradicting the implication of personal merit in Psalms 18:20.
Isaiah 64:6: But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Contradiction with Galatians 2:16
It states that "a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ," opposing the notion in Psalms 18:20 that righteousness brings recompense.
Galatians 2:16: Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Contradiction with Jeremiah 17:9
This verse states, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" contradicting the implication of an individual's pure heart in Psalms 18:20.
Jeremiah 17:9: The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Contradiction with Ephesians 2:8-9
These verses emphasize that salvation is by grace through faith, not of works, contrary to the idea of being rewarded for righteousness in Psalms 18:20.
Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
Paradox #1
Psalms 18:20 might seem to contradict the idea that people are saved by grace and not by their own righteousness, which is emphasized in the New Testament. The verse suggests being rewarded according to one's righteousness, which might seem inconsistent with the message that faith and grace are the paths to salvation.
Paradox #2
The moral conflict with Psalms 18:20 could be that it emphasizes being rewarded for personal righteousness and moral actions, which might seem inconsistent with the broader biblical themes of grace and forgiveness. This suggests that blessings come from good behavior, while other parts of the Bible emphasize that God's love and blessings are given regardless of human actions.