Psalm 26

Psalm 26 KJV 1900

A Psalm of David. 1 Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide. 2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my reins and my heart. 3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: And I have walked in thy truth. 4 I have not sat with vain persons, Neither will I go in with dissemblers. 5 I have hated the congregation of evil doers; And will not sit with the wicked. 6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: So will I compass thine altar, O Lord: 7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all thy wondrous works. 8 Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, And the place where thine honour dwelleth. 9 Gather not my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloody men: 10 In whose hands is mischief, And their right hand is full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: Redeem me, and be merciful unto me. 12 My foot standeth in an even place: In the congregations will I bless the Lord.

Preparing to stand before the Lord.

Some think that David has been falsely accused and he is protesting his innocence.

Others say that he is going through the process of preparing to stand before the Lord.

He is examining himself to make sure there is nothing he needs to get right before facing God.

This is where I think he is coming from as I read this Psalm.

This is extremely appropriate for a night where we are taking the Lord’s Supper.

David starts by asking God to judge him.

Verse 1 - Contains three statements that all start with “I”.

I have walked in integrity.

I have trusted in the Lord.

I shall not slide.

Verse 2 - David continues request that God would inspect His life.

Examine me

Prove me

Try me.

David wants God to point out his faults.

This is born out of a desire for righteousness.

David doesn’t want to go before the Lord with sin in his life.

Verse 3 - He knows that he is where he is because of God.

Thy lovingkindness is always before me.

I have walked in thy truth.

David recognizes that any righteousness that is present in his life is directly due to God and His goodness.

Verse 4-5 - David says that due to the change God has made in his life, he doesn’t associate with certain types of people.

Vain persons

These people are characterized by emptiness.

They may not be a bad influence on you.

They aren’t a good influence on you either.

They are just vain.

The things they invest in and want you to invest yourself in are meaningless.

Dissemblers

Dissemblers are hypocrites.

They are one way among the faith community.

They are another way when they are away from it.

Evil doers

Guilty of evil actions.

Causing harm to others.

Intentionally breaking God’s commands.

Wicked

Verse 6-8 - I do engage in these good activities.

Wash my hands in innocency.

He is concerned with regular cleansing.

He knows his propensity to get back in the dirt.

In innocency I compass thy altar.

This is a reference to the manner in which David approaches the altar.

He doesn’t come to the Lord’s presence to offer sacrifices with known, undealt-with sin

Publish with the voice of thanksgiving

He wants everyone to see and know that he is grateful to God.

This is not a secret private religion.

This public.

Love the Lord’s house

Verse 9-10 - I am still in need of your grace and mercy.

Don’t include me with the sinners.

Don’t demand my life with the violent.

I don’t want to be numbered with those who perform mischief.

I desire to walk in integrity

Verse 11-12

Statement of loyalty.

Desire for redemption.

Desire for stability.

Promise of public blessing.