Psalm 26/Commentary

Pure Devotion Nothing to Hide 26:1 “Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity”: David has nothing to hide. Over against all other judges, he desires that God would judge him, for this is the only audience that concerns him in the end. He wants God to be his judge, not friends nor enemies, and this is truly the secret of true, moral independence. David knew he was on the right path and wanted others to realize that as well. Yet David was likely wanting more here than just his reputation vindicated. “He has been trying to obey God. He is surrounded by many who think that he is foolish, just as we are surrounded by similar mockers or righteousness today. What he is asking is that God will show by the quality and steadiness of his life that a moral life is always best…So here is a question. You who profess to be believers in Jesus Christ, are you following in God’s ways so closely that the way of life you profess with your lips is vindicated? Is it clear to an impartial observer that your way of life is better than those of the ungodly?” (Psalms, Volume 1, James Montgomery Boice, p. 231/232).

26:1 “I have trusted in the Lord without wavering”: David had repeatedly followed God’s plan. What peace is ours when our trust is resolute.

26:2 “Examine me, O Lord, and try me; Test my mind and my heart”: David cries out for examination, something that at times we might be tempted to avoid. David wants God to examine him because he is dead serious about wanting to be good and pure.

Because David sees the value of knowing the truth even in regard to his own character, he does not want a biased audience such as friends or family, but an impartial Judge. He does not want to tinker with being a believer. Also note that David realizes there is nothing wrong about God's standards or His revealed word to mankind (the Bible), rather the real test comes down to our dedication and devotion.

Practical Application

Mankind spends so much time examining other people or examining God and the Bible that they fail to get around to self-examination. The real person, the real motivations and arguments that we need to examine—are our own.

26:2 “Test My Mind…and My Heart”: This kind of testing reaches far deeper than just an overview of one’s life or deeds. David also wants God to examine his thinking, his motives, and his thoughts.

26:3 “For Thy lovingkindness is before my eyes”: David has been focused on God’s love and mercy, and has remained faithful to Him because he has seen how faithful and merciful God has been to him. He does not see God as cruel, or overly demanding but rather as He truly is: a God of steadfast love. This is something many people never allow themselves to see. They do not see God’s continual efforts to save them, nor the second chances that He gives them in this life (2 Peter 3:9).

26:3 “And I have walked in Thy truth”: He sees God’s love and mercy because he lives within the realm of Scripture.

Nothing in Common 26:4 “I do not sit with deceitful men”: This section reminds us of Psalm 1. We must not misread David here. He is being neither self-righteous nor arrogant. neither is he caring about winning the favor of evil men. “Hating their company is not a matter of social preference but of spiritual alignment” (Kidner p. 118). David does not avoid such men because he feels he is better than them, rather, David realizes he cannot remain good and yet hang out with them. “Like every other similar passage in Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:33), it is a separation based, not on a sense of out being better than others but of not being good enough to survive in such company” (Boice p. 233). In addition, he sides with God and accepting the reality that such men have made themselves an enemy of God. “Deceitful men” would certainly be individuals who do not love the truth.

26:4 “Nor will I go with pretenders”: That is , hypocrites, people who are dangerous in that they are only playing at being good.

26:5 “I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked”: Observe the word “assembly”. Evildoers do band together, they form a group that is a rival of God’s people. “As we read these verses we may well ask ourselves: Could I call upon God to

vindicate me? How free am I to say, ‘Examine me, O Lord?’ Do I want God to know my mind and heart? How faithful have I been in God’s love and truth? What is my response to evildoers? If these questions cause us discomfort, good! This is a valid dress-rehearsal for the final Day of Judgment” (Mastering The Old Testament, Psalms 172, Donald Williams, p. 204). “Many Christians can trace a lost youth or fruitless middle years to the bad influence of evil persons, whom they looked up to and even envied at one time” (Boice p. 234).

26:6 “I shall wash my hands in innocence, and I will go about Thine altar, O Lord”: With such a desire to be examined by God, David is ready to worship. “We must not think that all the problems we face in trying to live a blameless life are due to other people” (Boice p. 234). David faced similar challenges that we also face. Even among God’s people David found many who were unfaithful, and yet he was still able to resist evil influences because he determined to stand innocent before God. 26:7 “That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and declare all Thy wonders”: Worship involves not just thanking God, but declaring to others all the great things that God has done in the past, both for others and also for ourselves. Even more wonderful is to think of, and praise God for, is all the great things God is going to bring about in your bright future.

26:8 “O Lord, I love the habitation of Thy house”: When David said that he “hated” the company of evildoers, this never meant that David was mean or lacking in love. The hatred that David had for evil was only matched by the love He had for worshipping God. Both the love and hate are a choice, a choice where David’s heart would be, not in the company of the worldly, but in the company of the godly. David enjoyed periods of public worship. Yes, bad company corrupts good morals, yet good company improves it.

“If you want to grow in righteousness, you need to spend time with God and with those who are striving to model morality” (Boice p. 235).

The Final Separation 26:9 “Do not take my soul away along with sinners, nor my life with men of bloodshed” David had separated himself from those determined to live ungodly in this life, the importance of which Jesus would later stress (Matthew 7:6). Furthermore, David

desires that God would make that separation final at the end. David uses interesting terminology here. He does not want to be “taken away” or swept away with such evil men. The language reminds us of gathering up the weeds to be thrown out, such as occurs in the parable of the Tares (Matthew 13:30). David knows that the final decision on who goes to heaven or hell rests with God and it is God’s verdict alone, in his life that counts and that trumps all others. How often do we think about this final separation?

Note there are no second chances at such a separation. Those who are rebelling against God are men and women who have no real future, but only one of doom. Let's choose better.

26:10 “In whose hands is a wicked scheme, and whose right hand is full of bribes”: Here I see a great contrast between the life that David was living by obeying and trusting God, and the life that many others live. The believer does not plot and scheme. We do not try to buy or trick our way through life.

26:11 “But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity”: David knew how others were living and yet refused to live that way. The phrase, “but as for me” is beautiful because it pictures a man unmoved by the culture, the crowd, or popular opinion. Here is a man like Joshua (24:15) determined to live for God, even if most are going the opposite direction. To “walk in integrity” means that we do not compromise on anything that God has said and that we don’t cut any corners. “Redeem me”: No self-righteousness can exist in this request, only humility. David knows that he cannot earn his way to heaven and confesses, even with all his obedience, that he still desperately needs God’s grace.

26:12 “My foot stands on a level place”: David does not plead and trust in vain; he will be vindicated. The life he has chosen is based on level ground, or founded upon a rock: God's truth.

26:12 “In the congregations I shall bless the Lord”: No dislike for ":organized religion" found here. David enjoys worshipping with other believers.

Mark Dunagan/Beaverton Church of Christ/503-644-9017 www.beavertonchurchofchrist.net/mdunagan@frontier.com