A psalm of David
26
📚Act as my judge, O LORD,
for I have walked in my
integrity;
I have also trusted
in the LORD.
Therefore I shall not slip.
26:1 In this psalm David insists on his integrity and innocence. He had the testimony of a good conscience. In Psalm 25 he thrice mentions his sins (vs 7,11,18). He was not self-righteous, but he knew that his heart was right with God, that he was innocent of his enemies accusations (note at 17:3). His integrity is revealed in his trust in God (v 1), in his prayer to be tested (v 2), in keeping himself from deceitful and evil men (v 4,5), in his strong desire to worship God (vs 6-8), and in his prayer for mercy (vs 9-11). The root of integrity is a true desire to please God more than one’s self (v 3). Surely this is a requirement for everyone who calls himself a Christian. In this, as in everything good, Christ Himself is the believer’s example (John 8:29; Rom 15:3).⚜
2 📚Examine me,
O LORD, and prove me.
Test my mind and my heart.
3 📚For your loving kindness
is before my eyes,
and I have walked
in your truth.
4 📚I have not sat with worthless
persons,
nor do I go with hypocrites.
5 📚I have hated the congregation
of evildoers,
and will not sit with
the wicked.
6 📚I will wash my hands
in innocence;
so I will go around your altar,
O LORD,
26:6 This is a metaphor taken probably from Ex 30:18-21.⚜
7 📚That I may proclaim
with the voice of
thanksgiving,
and tell of all your
wondrous works.
8 📚LORD, I have loved
the habitation of your house,
and the place where
your honour dwells.
9 📚Do not gather my soul
with sinners,
or my life with bloodthirsty
men,
10 📚In whose hands is
an evil scheme,
and whose right hand is
full of bribes 📖.
11 📚But as for me, I will walk
in my integrity.
Redeem me, and be
merciful to me.
26:11 David was determined to continue in the path of integrity. So must we be. And he knew that any such life can be based only on God’s merciful activity.⚜
12 📚My foot stands
in a level place 📖.
In the congregations
I will praise the LORD.