EXPOSITION OF PSALM 26
A Psalm of David

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The occasion of this psalm of David is not certainly known. Many believe it refers to the unjust charge made by some to King Saul, "Indeed David seeks your harm" (1 Samuel 24:9-15), for David sought vindication from that unjust charge (v.15) as he also does here (v.1). This psalm was probably written before David's great offense (v.1).

David here is typical of Christ when He was falsely accused (as in Matthew 26:59-61). He also serves as an example for all believers when they are falsely accused. For example: when we preach divine predestination (as in Ephesians 1:11), we are falsely accused of preaching fatalism; when we preach God chose some to salvation (as in Ephesians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13), we are falsely accused of preaching He chose the rest to damnation; when we preach God made Christ to be sin for His elect (as in 2 Corinthians 5:21) in order to justify them, we are falsely accused of impugning Christ's sinless nature.

I. The believer's prayer for vindication when assailed by the wicked (vv.1-8). His appeal for vindication (v.1a) is based upon 1. his endeavor to walk uprightly (vv.1b-3), 2. his separation from sinners (vv.4f), 3. his purpose to worship God rightly (vv.6-8).

26:1 "Vindicate me, O LORD, ..." The Hebrew verb in general means "judge" (as in KJV). But it may mean specifically to render judgment that will either "punish the guilty" (as in 1 Samuel 3:13) or "defend one's cause" (as here and also 1 Samuel 24:15, cited above). David does not here pray for the vindication of his unrighteous person in the sight of the law of God. That was done in eternity, when he was foreknown by God (Romans 8:28f), which resulted in no sin ever being imputed to him (Psalm 32:1f; Romans 4:6-8). Rather, David prays for vindication from an unjust charge in the sight of men. He will not vindicate or justify himself, but rather prays to be vindicated by Jehovah the Judge, rejoicing in the fact that his Judge is also his Defender. The psalmist gives two reasons for his prayer:

"... For I have walked in my integrity. ..." Here is the first reason for David's desire to be vindicated. This "integrity" is "innocence", or simplicity of mind as opposed to mischief and ill-design. The saint does not boast of any integrity or innocence in his person, as though he were sinlessly perfect. Indeed, David will in a very short moment plead for redemption and mercy (v.11). None but Christ has right to this claim of absolute integrity (Hebrews 7:26), although Pharisees vainly lay claim to it (Luke 18:9, 11f). Rather, David pleads his innocence against the present charge because of the purity of his intentions and his conduct in this matter.

"... I have also trusted in the LORD; ..." Here is the second reason for David's desire to be vindicated. He did not trust in the integrity of his intentions and conduct to save him. Rather, like Christ, he "committed Himself to Him who judges righteously" (1 Peter 2:23).

"... I shall not slip." Jehovah has set the wicked in slippery places in order that they may slide down into destruction (Psalm 73:18). But none who trust in Him will be permitted to do so (Psalm 37:32): "The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide" (cp. 18:36).

26:2 "Examine me, O LORD, ..." The psalmist in this verse desires a three-fold test of his integrity. This first is the test by touch, as with a touchstone (basanite). The saint desires to be tested by God in the manner like one would test precious metals in order to ascertain their genuineness and value (see Job 23:10).

"... and prove me; ..." This second test is by smell (as the Hebrew word suggests). The saint desires to be tested by God in the same manner in which one would smell food in order to ascertain whether or not it is edible.

"... Try my mind and my heart." This third test is in the crucible, and is applied to the emotional and intellectual parts of man's nature. God will through the fires of affliction stoked by the wicked refine and purify His people as the silversmith does his precious metal (Zechariah 13:9).

26:3 "For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, ..." Before the eyes of the wicked there is the flattery of himself apart from the fear of God (Psalm 36:1f). But before the eyes of the saint is Christ, who is Jehovah's Lovingkindness (Psalm 144:2, translated "goodness" in KJV), for in Him are found all Jehovah's goodness, love and kindness, mercy and grace (as in Ephesians 1:3ff). The saint therefore never takes his eyes off Christ.

"... And I have walked in Your truth." The wicked walks in the lies of his idolatry and self-righteousness, which lead to destruction (Isaiah 65:2-7). But the saint, having acknowledged Christ as Jehovah's Truth (John 14:6), walks in Him (Colossians 2:6; 3 John vv.3, 4; Psalm 86:11).

26:4 "I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, ..." Saints must not fellowship with "vain persons" (KJV) who worship idols, including the idols "Freewill" and "Self-righteousness".

"... Nor will I go in with hypocrites." Saints must not fellowship with those whose outward show of piety is intended to hide the devil in their hearts (as in Matthew 23:25-28).

26:5 "I have hated the assembly of evildoers, ..." Saints must despise the "synagogue of Satan" deceitfully claiming to be the church of Christ (Revelation 2:9; 3:9).

"... And will not sit with the wicked." These are the criminals with whom, among others, God forbids His people to be "unequally yoked together" (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

26:7 "That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, / And tell of all Your wondrous works." These are the sacrifices of Christ's priests (Psalm 107:22): "Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing." As physical priests can not sacrifice with tied hands, neither can spiritual priests sacrifice with tied tongues. And their proclamation is of Christ's wondrous works, not their vain ones.

26:8 "LORD, I have loved the habitation of Your house, / And the place where Your glory dwells." The saint hates the house of false religion and will not go near it (v.5). But he loves dwelling in Jehovah's house, which is inhabited also by Jehovah's glory. "The house of God ... is the church of living God" (1 Timothy 3:15), and the glory of Jehovah therein is the "Lord Jesus Christ, Jehovah of glory" (James 2:1; see 2 Corinthians 4:6).

II. The believer's prayer for salvation when God assails the wicked (vv.9-12). His appeal for salvation is based upon 1. his separation from sinners, 2. his endeavor to walk uprightly (v.11), his confidence in God (v.12).

26:9 "Do not gather my soul with sinners, ..." The saint in verses 4-5 declares his avoidance of all types of "sinners", including "idolatrous mortals", "hypocrites", "evildoers", and "the wicked". Here in verses 9-10 he prays that God will never include him with those whom he avoids, neither in this life nor in the final judgment day when God gathers the wicked for destruction (Matthew 13:41) and the righteous for glory (Matthew 24:31).

"... Nor my life with bloodthirsty men, ..." These murderers include those who thirsted for the blood of Christ (Matthew 27:25), and who therefore thirst also for the blood of the righteous, and would make martyrs of them.

26:10 "... In whose hands is a sinister scheme, ..." This would include that of which the psalmist here complains, that of falsely accusing the righteous (see the introductory paragraphs).

"... And whose right hand is full of bribes." Such would include those who scheme a plan of salvation by the works of their own hands and think they can bribe God the Judge with them. Christ will not be fooled by them (Matthew 7:21-23).

26:11 "But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; ..." He who has walked in the past in simplicity of mind as opposed to mischief and ill-design (v.1) will continue to do so in the future.

"... Redeem me and be merciful to me." The saint does not boast of absolute personal integrity, and prays God will in mercy redeem him from all his imperfections.

26:12 "My foot stands in an even place; ..." The word translated "even place" means properly "righteousness". Christ is this righteousness, and none who stand on Him shall ever be ashamed (Isaiah 28:16 / Romans 9:33). Therefore:

"... In the congregations I will bless the LORD." This is the proper response from all who are vindicated by Christ.

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