‘Prayers & Declarations’

“Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity,
    and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Prove me, O Lord, and try me;
    test my heart and my mind. For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
    and I walk in your faithfulness. 

I do not sit with men of falsehood,
    nor do I consort with hypocrites.I hate the assembly of evildoers,
    and I will not sit with the wicked. 

I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O Lord, proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds. 

O Lord, I love the habitation of your house
    and the place where your glory dwells. 

Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,
    nor my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands are evil devices,
    and whose right hands are full of bribes. 

But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.”   (Psalm 26)

     This Psalm is hard to categorize, it contains elements that characterize both lament and protective Psalms.  In terms of its structure it’s built around two prayers and three declarations of innocence.  The prayers are in verses 1 and 11 - “Vindicate me, O Lord…” and “...redeem me, and be gracious to me.”  The affirmations are in verses 1, 6, and 11 - “...I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering”...”I washed my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O Lord, proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds.”...”But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity…”.  Apparently David was being subjected to false accusations, and there’s nothing quite as hurtful and disarming.  Jesus was subjected to accusations that were false.  Matthew says that “the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death (v.26:59).”  They accused him of blasphemy because he claimed to be the Messiah.  He took to himself the messianic title, the ‘Son of man’.  This wasn’t a false claim, but it was a false accusation, one that led to his crucifixion.  

     How do you counter accusations of this kind?  Often you can’t.  So you do as David did, you pray - “Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity,...(v.1).”  ‘I’m innocent’; ‘I’ve lived consistent with my convictions; David says.  This is a challenge to all of us.  Are we living with integrity?  Or as the black preacher said, “Be what you is and not what you ain’t, because if you ain’t what you is, you is what you ain’t.”  We’ll not live perfectly, without flaw or failing, but we can live sincerely, striving to live within the boundaries of God’s will.  

Exclusionary Statements

     In verses 4 & 5 we have exclusionary statements - “I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.”  David hates the company of evil doers.  He doesn’t ‘sit’ or share fellowship with the wicked.  Instead he stands in the great assembly of God’s people.  This is where he finds true fellowship.  How about us?  Do we find our best fellowship with like-minded believers?  It’s necessary for us to meet together in order to hold fast to our confession and encourage each other to faithfully follow Christ.  Our fellowship is intended to promote mutual edification.  We can’t successfully make this pilgrimage alone.  

     David reaffirms his innocence and his love for YHWH in verses 6-10.  He expresses his love for God - “O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells (v.8).”  In this line of text, David says his love for God compelled him to go to the Temple and participate in worship.  There’s something special about gathering with God’s people for corporate worship.  It assures us that we’re not alone, we’re one among many travelers.  We need to have fellowship, and we need to worship together.  

     Again, in verses 9 and 10 David dissociates himself from evil.  He acknowledges that wickedness incurs God’s judgment, and expresses a healthy fear - “Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose right hands are full of bribes.”  He wants no part of violent men who devise wicked schemes and promote injustice.  They’ll be ‘swept away’!  

Final Declaration

     The Psalm closes with a final declaration of innocence and a prayer - “But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the Lord (vv.11,12).”  The opening line of verse 11 is a statement of resolve - “But as for me (even when falsely accused) I will retain my integrity;...”.  This is a statement of devotion to God very similar to Joshua’s.  At Shechem he called the people of Israel to renew their covenant commitment to YHWH.  He challenged them - “...choose this day whom you will serve,...(Josh.24:15).”  Be decisive!  Then he led the way - “...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  No matter the circumstances, no matter how difficult, David would serve the Lord.  

     David’s prayer is simple - “redeem me and be gracious to me.”  Sometimes this is the only prayer to pray, because there’s nothing you can do to resolve the problem.  David recognized that there was nothing he could do to defend himself against these false accusations, but God was able to protect his reputation and sustain him during this time of trouble.  Confidence is being expressed; God’s grace is sufficient!  

     The Psalm closes with a final affirmation of confidence - “My foot stands on level ground (v.12).”  He won’t stumble.  He’s safe!  Listen, if you’re in troubled times just cling tightly to Christ and you’ll be safe.  David closes the Psalm with praise - “...in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.”