Walk Of Life – Day 4, August 2022 – Thoughts From The Book Of Psalms
Psalm 26
Like many of David’s psalms, this song was written from a time of great trouble. He here pleaded for God to vindicate him, presumably by his enemies. The request carries with it the implication that David himself was unable to vindicate himself or had chosen not to.
“It is not David’s reputation in the eyes of other people that concerns him but rather God’s reputation that he covets.” (Boice)
Confidence of David
For I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the LORD; I shall not slip:
David had confidence that God would answer his prayer and vindicate him, because he had faith in God (trusted in the LORD) which he demonstrated by a faithful life (I have walked in my integrity). Therefore, despite his present difficulty, he could say, “I shall not slip.”
David was confident enough in his demonstrated life of faith that he asked God to examine and try him. If David were not in fact trusting in God or walking rightly, he wanted God to show him and teach him.
David knew the value of sustained examination and meditation upon the loving kindness of God.
And I have walked in Your truth: The idea of walked speaks of action, of manner of living. David knew the importance of both a right inward life (mind and heart) and right actions and deeds.
David proclaims his innocence by saying that he has not sat with idolatrous mortals, And will not sit with the wicked. He also says that he will wash his hands in innocence. Another great criteria that he explains to confirm his innocence is saying I have loved the habitation of Your house
In verses 9 and 10 David says about which God does not want to do to him. Do not gather my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloodthirsty men, In whose hands is a sinister scheme, And whose right hand is full of bribes. In light of David’s great need and his great trust in God, he asked God to preserve his life. He refused to associate with the wicked in life; he asked God to keep him from sinners in death.
In verses 11 and 12 David says about what God wants to do to him. But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me and be merciful to me. My foot stands in an even place; In the congregations I will bless the LORD.
David concludes by saying that In the congregations I will bless the LORD: He was so confident that he said that he would bless and praise God publicly, among others (in the congregations), not as an outcast or castaway.
