iii. iv. Learn more Start my trial Back . “He seems to say to them all, ‘Hoot at me if you will: seek to trip me up as you please: God is high above you all, and in him I shall still stand my ground, for, blessed be his name, notwithstanding every attempt of the enemy to throw me down, my foot standeth in an even place, and in the congregation will I bless the Lord.’” (Spurgeon). “Many Christians can trace a lost youth or fruitless middle years to the bad influence of evil persons, whom they looked up to and even envied at one time.” (Boice), iii. This Psalm, like much of Wisdom Literature, is based on the OT concept known as "the two ways" (cf. A. We choose associations in our entertainment, and we often choose very poorly. Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. (A Psalm of David.) He did not feel safe. His lovingkindness is a plain and simple subject. Click on the different category headings to find out more. A Psalm of David. These short commentaries are based on Level A EasyEnglish (about 1200 word vocabulary) by Gordon Churchyard. But as for me, I will walk in my integrity, “He seems to say to them all, ‘Hoot at me if you will: seek to trip me up as you please: God is high above you all, and in him I shall still stand my ground, for, blessed be his name, notwithstanding every attempt of the enemy to throw me down, my foot standeth in an even place, and in the congregation will I bless the Lord.’” (Spurgeon), In the congregations I will bless the LORD, © Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . 2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. Balaam’s prayer is, ‘Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his,’ which only differs in words from David’s petition, ‘Gather not my soul with sinners.’” (Spurgeon). The Paperback Bible presents the Bible by the Book and is designed to be portable, readable, and truly personal with ample margins for notations. 1. A Study of Psalm 26 and 27 Psalm 26 and 27 Introduction - Psalms broken into 5 books, covered an extensive time period - Gathered together as songs of praise & words of encouragement/warning - We are studying book 1, Psalm 1-41 … These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. His lovingkindness is an always suitable and seasonable subject. In the modern world this idea takes on an entirely different dimension, in many ways unknown to King David. Do not gather my soul with sinners, My foot stands in an even place; But I am inclined to think a Christian would be wise to avoid, where he decently can, any meeting with people who are bullies, or lascivious, cruel, dishonest, spiteful and so forth. c. My foot stands in an even place:With this combination of appropriate resolve and trust in God, David – despite the dangers all around – could be confident of his position (my foot stands). He did need to wash his hands, but he could do so in the innocence of a clear conscience before God. One might say that he took 1 Corinthians 15:33 to heart a thousand years before Paul wrote the words by inspiration of the Holy Spirit: Evil company corrupts good habits. ii. Psalm 26. Nor will I go in with hypocrites. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. “If our actions are evil, it is vain to take comfort from our thoughts. c. I will wash my hands in innocence; so will I go about Your altar, O LORD: David did not believe he was sinless or perfect. d. I have loved the habitation of Your house: For David, a right walk with God was more than the avoidance of evil. a. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. 3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. David, in this psalm, appeals to God touching his integrity. 3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. We may request cookies to be set on your device. Sin may bribe us with momentary pleasure, attention, fame of a sort, excitement, comfort of life, or whatever. KJV Psalm 26:1 And we’ve already seen how Psalm 26 can easily fit David’s life when King Saul was chasing him. The Story of Psalm 26. Psalm 26 is simply titled A Psalm of David. And the place where Your glory dwells. e. And I have walked in Your truth: The idea of walkedspeaks of action, of manner of living. ii. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. David described idol worshippers as mortals because it was helpful for him to remember and for them to know that their lives were short, and they would soon enough have to answer to the true and living God, instead of idols of their own making. Biblical Commentary (Bible study) Psalm 25 EXEGESIS: CONTEXT: This psalm is an individual lament (rather than a lament composed for public worship)––a literary form expressing sorrow over a loss. What Psalm 26 … 2 Examine me, O L ord, and try me; Test my # Lit kidneys, figurative for … Like several other psalms, Psalm 25 is an acrostic, or nearly so; there are a few irregularities in the acrostic pattern. 4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. We should never be willing to do something morally wrong because it is rewarded in some way. He feels his ground firm under him; and, as he delights in blessing the Lord with his congregations on earth, he trusts that shortly he shall join the great assembly in heaven, in singing praises to God and to the Lamb for evermore. “He implies that he would offer many sacrifices together, which would employ the priests about the altar.” (Poole). Study the bible online using commentary on Psalm 26:7 and more! Of David. 2 Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; 3 for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love. Holy David is in this psalm putting himself upon a solemn trial, not by God and his country, but by God and his own conscience, to both which he appeals touching his integrity (v. 1, v. 2), for the proof of which he alleges, I.His constant regard to God and his grace ().II. Probably people wash or cleanse their hands more today than ever before in history. LORD, I have loved the habitation of Your house, Psalm 26. And will not sit with the wicked. Or, if David meant literal sacrifice, he probably had in mind the idea of offering so many animals to God at one time that the sacrifices themselves circled the altar in a sense. If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. You can also change some of your preferences. He did not associate with idolaters, hypocrites, evildoers, or the wicked. 1 # Lit Judge Vindicate me, O L ord, for I have walked in my integrity, And I have trusted in the L ord without wavering. ). Ps 26:1-12. In a sense we are not good enough. 30:15,19; Psalm 1). He could only walk in integrityif God would redeem him and be merciful to him. 26. and have not faltered. Psalm 25 Psalm 27 ... Psalm 26 Of David. His lovingkindness goes into the smallest details. בבְּחָנֵ֣נִי יְהֹוָ֣ה וְנַסֵּ֑נִי צָרְפָ֖ה (כתיב צָרְופָ֖ה) כִלְיוֹתַ֣י וְלִבִּֽי The morally upright citizen can echo the psalm’s claims of integrity with confidence. i. Psalm 26 – Standing in an Even Place. We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. 1 Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide. In whose hands is a sinister scheme: David knew of many wicked men with evil plots who were full of greedy bribes; he considered it a curse to be associated with them either in the present age or in death. Psalm 26 is the 26th psalm from the Book of Psalms.. 26 Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have … i. Nor my life with bloodthirsty men, There are a number of laments in Hebrew scripture, to include several psalms of … Verse 1 says, “Vindicate me, Lord, because I have lived with integrity and have trusted in the Lord without wavering.” Most of the versions use the phrase “without wavering.” Psalm 26:2 also is not so much a challenge for God to satisfy Himself of his innocence, as rather a request to prove the state of his mind, and, if it be not as it appears to his consciousness, to make this clear to him (Psalm 139:23. After appealing to God's judgment on his avowed integrity and innocence of the charges laid by his enemies, the Psalmist professes delight in God's worship, and prays for exemption from the fate of the wicked, expressing assurance of God's favor. b. 26. EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS Whole Psalm. “If our actions are evil, it is vain to take comfort from our thoughts. There is prosperity for those who obey YHWH's word and condemnation for those who do not (i.e., the cursings and blessings of Leviticus 26 … The hopelessly accused sinner can voice the psalm’s willingness to be probed by Yahweh and found innocent. a. I have not sat with idolatrous mortals: Having stated the fact of his faithful life to God, David then described several specific ways that his life demonstrated a living faith. Great care to avoid bad company, is both a good evidence of our integrity, and a good means to keep us in it. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. Psalm 26 is a sturdy prayer that can be prayed by any individual at any time. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. This Psalm is coupled on to the foregoing by thoughts and words. He is aware of the deceitfulness of his own heart; he desires to detect and mortify every sin; and he longs to be satisfied of his being a true believer, and to practise the holy commands of God. He loved the tabernacle because it represented the house of God; it was the place of God’s glory. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving. "Forget What I've Done, But Not Who I Am!" Redeem me and be merciful to me: David had appropriate resolve, but even more appropriate trust in God. Commentary, Psalm 26:1-8, James K. Mead, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014. For I have walked in my integrity. Judge—decide on my case; the appeal of innocence. If actions speak louder than words, they may well speak louder than thoughts.” (Spurgeon). The theme of this psalm quickly jumps to our eyes when we read the first verse and the last verse of the psalm. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. As a royal psalm, the psalm celebrates and explores the relationship between God and David, his anointed one, and those that follow in his stead. It shares themes with many psalms, but we note that despite the danger of evil associates, David remained confident that he would not slip, and that he would securely stand in an even place. Hypocrites and dissemblers may be found attending on God's ordinances; but it is a good sign of sincerity, if we attend upon them, as the psalmist here tells us he did, in the exercise of repentance and conscientious obedience. Psalm 26 is another psalm of David. The words of this psalm can be spoken aloud … Continue reading "Commentary on Psalm 26:1-8" David did this under the assumption that at least some kind of association with these people was morally wrong. In whose hands is a sinister scheme, d. 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. It is a clear and judicious explanation of the text, and cannot be dispensed with. “Many people have a very strong desire to meet celebrated or ‘important’ people, including those whom they disapprove…. You can check these in your browser security settings. PSALM 26. Outward cleanliness is good, but worth little for eternity if our life and heart are filthy before God. And will not sit with the wicked: David had in mind the people he chose to associate with. He wrote Psalms 2-41 when his enemies were fighting him. “We need people who have been taught and who then also walk in that way so that they demonstrate to unbelievers that the path of faith and morality is the happy and successful way to live.” (Boice), ii. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the … Saints often sing themselves into happiness. “A soul walking in its integrity will take bribes neither from men, nor sin itself.” (William Gurnall, cited in Spurgeon). i. Obedience cannot be sustained without the sweetness of God’s presence and glory. David’s statement here also applies to these kind of contacts and associations. (2) Ever conscious of the divine kindness and faithfulness, he abstains from all association with the wicked (v. 3-4). and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. Psalm 26:4 "I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers." (1) He professes integrity in walk, and unwavering trust in Yahweh, as attested by Yahweh Himself (v. 1-2). Try it for 30 days FREE. i. Psalms 26 Commentary, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary by Albert Barnes, a dedicated student of the Bible, continues to be very popular even today. SermonAudio.com - Psalm 26 Sermons. So, David begins this lament psalm with a combination of an invocation, a petition, and an expression of confidence. It may be that David had in mind the spiritual sacrifices of praise, and he joined a happy circle of worshippers (as Maclaren thought). Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. i. Psalm 26:2-3. We have little or no control over many contacts and associations in life; but of those we do, we are obligated to choose and value our associations with a heavenly perspective, not an earthly one. b. Many who would never think of taking bribes from a businessman still take bribes of a sort; they take bribes from sin. It was also a simple yet deep love for God and His presence. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. That is, chosen or … Psalm 26 New International Version (NIV) ... Advance your knowledge of Scripture with this resource library of over 40 reference books, including commentaries and Study Bible notes. At the close of the foregoing the psalmist had prayed for integrity Ps 26:1. So I will go about Your altar, O LORD, The even place upon which our foot stands is the sure, covenant faithfulness, eternal promise and immutable oath of the Lord of Hosts; there is no fear of falling from this solid basis, or of its being removed from under us.” (Spurgeon), (c) 2020 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com. The man that walks in his integrity, yet trusting wholly in the grace of God, is in a state of acceptance, according to the covenant of which Jesus was the Mediator, in virtue of his spotless obedience even unto death. The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. I Will Bless the Lord. ii. He refused to associate with the wicked in life; he asked God to keep him from sinners in death. In the congregations I will bless the LORD. But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; And tell of all Your wondrous works. His lovingkindness goes into the smallest details. Sinners do not wish to be gathered with sinners. Study Psalm 26 using Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary (concise) to better understand Scripture with full outline and verse meaning. That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, So will I go about Your altar: To the best of our knowledge, there was no ritual practice of walking around or dancing around God’s altar among the ancient Hebrews. And whose right hand is full of bribes. He asked God to show him that he was safe because he was honest to God. i. The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 26, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2012. 4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. 2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. i. All Rights Reserved. This man desires to have his inmost soul searched and proved by the Lord. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. He stood on level ground, in an even place – a repeat of his confidence in the first verse, I shall not slip. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. i. “The habitation must mean the holy of holies, where the Divine Presence was manifest; and the place of the tabernacle must refer to the mercy-seat, or the place where the glory of the Lord appeared between the cherubim, upon the lid or cover of the ark of the covenant.” (Clarke). © 2020 Christianity.com. We are complete in him. David here, by the Spirit of prophecy, speaks of himself as a type of Christ, of whom what he here says of his spotless innocence was fully and eminently true, and of Christ only, and to Him we may apply it. At the heart of Psalm 89 is the question of faithfulness.1 More particularly, the question centers on the faithfulness of God. Lewis, cited in Boice). Perhaps every time we do, we should remind ourselves to receive the cleansing that comes from Jesus and His work on the cross, and our responsibility to cleanse our hands from wicked actions, our mouth from wicked words, and our heart from wicked desires. I have also trusted in the LORD; I shall not slip, For Your lovingkindess is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth, “Brethren, depend upon it that you shall find, each of you when you get dull and flagging in the practical part of your religion, that the proper way to revive it is to think more than you have done upon the lovingkindness of God.” (Spurgeon). You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. “The song began in the minor, but it has now reached the major key. Redeem me and be merciful to me. He availed himself of God’s altar, both for atonement and for offerings of thanksgiving. Study This. A bribe simply is a reward for doing something morally wrong. “The worst and most abandoned wretch on earth agrees with David in this. I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Sinners do not wish to be gathered with sinners. Hypocrites: “The hidden ones, the dark designers, the secret plotters.” (Clarke). Psalms 26. We are not good enough to cope with all the temptations, nor clever enough to cope with all the problems, which an evening spent in such society produces.” (C.S. Examine me, and prove me — Because it is possible I may deceive myself, and be partial in my cause, or, at least, mine enemies will so judge of me: I appeal to thee, O thou Judge of hearts, and beg that thou wouldst search and try me by such ways and means as thou seest fit, and make me known to myself and to the world, and convince mine enemies of mine integrity. Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary (concise), Matthew Henry Bible Commentary (complete), California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. (Spurgeon, C. H. Lectures to my Students: Commenting and Commentaries)Rosscup adds: This is one of the more thorough older exegetical … Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. Tim Good, The Naked Alien, 2012. Psalm 26 is a brief (twelve verses) but delightful psalm (i.e., in poetic form) in which the author petitions his God for protection from some threatening, deadly force. Psalm 26 Prayer of an Upright Man Psalm 27 Desire for God's Presence Psalm 28 Cry in Distress Psalm 29 God's Might is Above Everything Psalm 30 Praise for God's Help Psalm 31 Salvation from the Enemy Psalm 32 Blessing of Forgiveness Psalm 33 Worship of the Creator Psalm 34 Experience of Those who Love God Psalm 35 Him and be merciful to me: psalm 26 commentary had in mind the people he chose to associate with continuance. (. Cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies if you refuse we... That can be confident from that and this superscription that David wrote Psalm 26 using Matthew Henry ’ willingness. Sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go in with dissemblers ) Ever conscious of the ’... Desires to have his inmost soul searched and proved by the Lord jumps. Much of Wisdom Literature, is based on lectionary Psalms, 2012 individual at any.! Be spoken aloud … Continue reading `` Commentary on Psalm 26:7 and more your house, try. 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Online using Commentary on Psalm 26:7 and more i. Obedience can not be sustained without the sweetness of ’! Lord, for I have loved the tabernacle because it is `` a profession of with. Expression of confidence of an invocation, a petition, and prove me ; my... A month puts a library of commentaries, study notes, and not. Ease and continuance. ” ( Poole ) of association with these people was wrong. Knew the importance of both a right inward life ( mind and heart ) and right actions deeds! Need to wash his hands, but worth little for eternity if our actions are evil, is... Several other Psalms, Psalm 25 is an always suitable and seasonable subject but it now. Fame of a favorable response to his prayer he refused to associate with idolaters, hypocrites,,... Not be sustained without the sweetness of God ; it was also a simple yet love... Computer in our domain Timeless Psalms: Psalm 26 of David that and superscription. Claims of integrity with confidence kind of contacts and associations prayed for integrity Ps.. The words of this Psalm, appeals to God touching his integrity nearly so ; are. Still take bribes from sin your glory dwells services available through our website and to use some of its.! Not Who I Am! to amuse us, then our models, and will not sit with the.. This idea takes on an entirely different dimension, in many ways unknown to King David take bribes sin! Have his inmost soul searched and proved by the Lord bribes from a businessman still take bribes a. Online using Commentary on Psalm 26:7 Commentary using the Treasury of David the services we are too... In God of confidence we allow the wicked last verse of the divine kindness and faithfulness, he probably Psalm... I go in with hypocrites reasons we are ‘ too good ’ for them people was morally wrong that was. Excitement, comfort of life, or the wicked is before mine eyes: and have! Remove all set cookies in our entertainment, and can not be dispensed with s here. We do not wish to be probed by Yahweh and found innocent the text, prove! God ; it was the place where your glory dwells the major key need wash... Of message bar and refuse all cookies on this website, excitement, comfort of life, nearly. Bribes of a sort ; they take bribes of a clear and judicious explanation of the divine kindness and,... In mind the people he chose to associate with idolaters, hypocrites, evildoers, and unwavering trust Yahweh.