Psalms 26

Psalms 26:1-12

a Declaration of Loyalty to God Psalms 26:1-12 In some respects this psalm resembles the previous one, only, instead of entreaties for forgiveness, there are protestations of innocence. It may have been composed during Absalom’ s rebellion, and contains a strenuous protest against the dissembling and hypocrisy upon which that revolt was based. In these avowals of conscious rectitude, it should be borne in mind that David did not mean to claim absolute sinlessness, but rather to declare his innocence of the specific charges with which he had been assailed. We all need the laver of purification mentioned in Psalms 26:6-7. Or better, let us repair to our Lord, who still washes the feet of His disciples, as in John 13:1-38. Hatred to evil men is one side of the coin; love to God’ s house, the reverse. Either implies the other. However firm our foot seems to stand, we all need the redeeming mercy and grace of God. Ah, the riches of His gentle goodness! Ephesians 2:7.

Judge me, O Lord.In some respects this Psalm is similar to the previous one. Instead of entreaties for forgiveness, there are protestations of innocence. It may have been composed during Absalom’s rebellion. It is a strenuous protest against the dissembling and hypocrisy on which that revolt had been built. In these avowals of conscious rectitude, we must remember that David did not mean to express absolute sinlessness, but his innocence of those specific charges with which he had been assailed. Psalms 26:1I shall not slide. If therefore be omitted, we get the sense that he had not slidden from his attitude of faith. Let us trust God to keep us trusting.

Psalms 26:1 Examine, and prove. These words are all borrowed from the smelting furnace and point to the purity which fire gives.

Psalms 26:3I have walked in thy truth. (Zechariah 10:12).

Psalms 26:4-5I have not sat. Human society without God is an empty bubble and cannot satisfy (Psalms 1:1).

Psalms 26:6-7 In innocency. We must use the laver, if we would minister at the altar. It is more important to be clean than to be clever. We must wash before we publish and tell.

Psalms 26:8I have loved thy house. Hatred of evil men (Psalms 26:5) is one side of the coin; love to God’s house the other. Seek either and the other will be yours.

Psalms 26:11 Mine integrity. Can we also assert our integrity–that is, our whole-heartedness? (Job 2:3; Job 2:9; Job 27:5). Is our eye single? Our heart open toward God? Are our motives pure? If so, though we still need “grace to help,” we are on an even table-land, in which there is no pitfall and from which the glad song of praise shall ascend as sweet incense to God.