Continuing a chronological Bible study:
In the last post, at the end of 1 Samuel 20, Jonathan had warned David that his father, King Saul, intended to kill him, and David had gone away. It is assumed that David may have written this psalm about that time:
(Psalm 26:1) (Of David) Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity; I have trusted also in the Lord; I shall not slide.
David asked that the Lord judge him, that is, judge whether or not he was just in the matter between him and Saul. He felt he had walked with integrity and had done nothing wrong to make Saul want to kill him. He had trusted in the Lord, and he would not waver.
(2) Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
David asked that the Lord examine him and his motives and prove whether or not they were just. He asked that the Lord test his reins and his heart. The reins were the kidneys, the gut, the seat of emotions. He asked that the Lord search his heart and the pit of his emotions to test whether or not they were pure.
(3) For your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in your 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.
David recognized how loving and kind the Lord had been to him, and he had walked in God's truth, in His ways. He did not associate with vain people, those who were evil and false. He would not be in the company of dissemblers, those who lied and hid their true evil motives. He, in fact, hated evil doers and would not associate with the wicked.
(6) I will wash my hands in innocency, so I will compass Your altar, O Lord, (7) That I may publish 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 honor dwells.
David determined to wash his hands in innocence, to be clean and pure, that he might be able to move about the Lord's altar with clean hands and a pure heart, that he might proclaim the wonderful works of the Lord with thanksgiving. David had loved dwelling in the house of the Lord where He was worshiped, but I believe he also meant dwelling in the presence of the Lord, as he felt his Lord was always with him.
(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.
David asked that the Lord not count him among sinners, gathering him up for destruction with them. He asked that the Lord not let his life be taken away by bloody men, those who shed blood, while bribing judges to pervert righteous judgment.
(11) But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; redeem me and be merciful to me.
David determined to always live a life of integrity, but even so, he realized he could never be perfect, and he asked that the Lord be merciful to him and redeem him from sin.
(12) My foot stands in an even place; in the congregations will I bless the Lord.
David proclaimed that he stood upon a sure and solid foundation, being under the protection of God's almighty and watchful providence. Not only in private, but he would publicly praise the Lord.
This psalm of David seems rightly to have been written after he had fled from Saul. As he had previously expressed to Jonathan, he did not feel he had done anything to warrant Saul's desire to kill him. He pleaded with the Lord to judge him and find him guiltless and redeem him from any sins that may have plagued him, as he always strived to live a life of integrity following in the Lord's way.
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