INNOCENT-Psalm 26

Old Testament, Psalms, Sermons

👑David ✡️🇵🇭 on X: "@biblebalm @ltd_au @lace_tess @HarrietKavere @Carole77777 “Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, And I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.” - Psalms 26:1I Have Lived Blamelessly. “Vindicate [Judge] me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life [I have walked in my integrity/wholeness]…” “I lead a blameless life [I will walk in my integrity / wholeness]; deliver me and be merciful to me” (Psalm 26:1, 11).

Examine Me. “Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love [ḥeseḏ] and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness [truth, ĕmeṯ]” (Ps 26:2).

INNOCENT. This psalm is a prayer for redemption founded on an extended protest of personal innocence, as the psalmist invites the penetrating gaze of divine scrutiny (Ps 26:1-3). How can he claim to be blameless and innocent in his heart and mind before God (Ps 26:1-2)? Is he being brash and prideful? Yet his call for God’s scrutiny is a moment of humble submission to divine authority (Ps 26:2). No one lightly opens the dark inner recesses of one’s being to God’s gaze, for the consequences of sin are real and God’s mercy is very necessary, as the psalmist clearly recognizes (Ps 26:9-11).
A blameless life [a life of integrity/wholeness] (Ps 26:1, 11) is not an assertion of sinless perfection, but an appropriate attitude of “fear of God”–the awareness of one’s sinfulness and absolute dependence on divine mercy [ḥānan] (Ps 26:11)–that is the essential relationship with God that defines human righteousness in Israel’s understanding. “Fear of the Lord is not fear or terror, but it does have fearful overtones. Fearing God is to understand who God is and how my own sinful nature places me in deadly conflict with his nature. It is knowing that my only hope is divine grace and mercy. Thus, the psalmist’s claim to be “blameless” is his expression of this attitude of dependence.
 
Psalm 26 (NKJV) – Devoted To YouDivine scrutiny (Ps 26:2). The psalmist invites divine examination, confident of his blameless character. This motif appears in other psalms as well (Ps 7:6-9; 11:4-6; 14:2-3; 17:2-5). God is judge, who knows your outer acts and inward thoughts. Thus, he is able to determine without error the relation of each human to mišpāṭ (justice, judgment)–what ought to have occured in each circumstance (Ps 11:4-6).
The core of this psalm is an absorbed delight in the presence and house of God (Ps 26:6-8). There is a common focus on the Lord’s “house” or “dwelling” from Psalms 23-30 (Ps 26:8; 27:4-5; 28:2).
  1. What does it mean for God to vindicate [judge] the psalmist (Ps 26:1; 7:8; 43:1; 1 Cor 4:3-4)?
    • What does he base his request for vindication on (Ps 26:1b)? [“I have walked in my integrity/wholeness” (Ps 26:1b).]
    • How does his attitude compare to the tax collector’s prayer (Lk 18:9-14)?
    • How does David’s desire for vindication (Ps 26:1) compare to his attitude in after his sin with Bathsheba (Ps 51:1-4)?
  2. How do you “test” and “try” your heart and mind (Ps 26:2; 139:23-24; Jer 17:10)? How can you “pass” (Ps 26:3)?
  3. Who does the psalmist avoid (Ps 26:4-5; 1:1)? Why (1 Cor 15:33; 2 Cor 6:14-17)?
  4. Why should you wash your hands in innocence and proclaim God’s wonderful deeds (Ps 26:6-7, 8; Isa 1:16; Lev 19:2; 1 Pet 1:15-16; Jn 4:23-24)?
  5. Why should you love God’s house (Ps 26:8; 84:1-2; 18:1; Heb 10:24-25)?
  6. Why does he ask God to spare him from sinners (Ps 26:9-10; Mt 6:13)?
  7. What will give you confidence to cry out for God’s deliverance and mercy (Ps 26:11; Eph 1:7; Tit 2:11-14)? [Is this “tit for tat” theology?]
  8. How confident are you in your standing with God (Ps 26:12; Rom 8:38-39; 2 Tim 4:7-8)?
  • How do you understand David’s blameless life/life of integrity (Ps 26:1, 11) in light of human sinfulness and God’s grace (Rom 3:10-12, Eph 2:8-9)?
  • Does this psalm challenge you to examine your own life and relationship with God (Ps 26:2)?
References:
  1. Longman, Garland. 2008. Psalm 26: Commitment to Integrity. The Innocent’s Plea for Redemption. A. Prayer for Vindication and Affirmation of Innocence (Ps 26:1-3). B. Dissociation from Evil (4-5). A’. Affirmation of Innocence and Love for the Lord (Ps 26:6-8). B’. Dissociation from Evil (9-10). A”. Affirmation of Innocence and Prayer for Redemption (Ps 26:11-12).
  2. Gerald Wilson. 2002. 1. Plea for vindication (Ps 26:1). 2. Submission to divine examination (Ps 26:2-7). 3. Standing in the presence of Yahweh (Ps 26:8-11). 4. Confident expectation (Ps 26:12).
  3. Derek Kidner. 1973. 1975. Psalm 26: Pure devotion. 1. Nothing to hide (Ps 26:1-3). 2. Nothing in common (Ps 26:4-5). 3. Into his courts (Ps 26:6-8). 4. Men with no future (Ps 26:9-10). 5. Love without fear (Ps 26:11-12).
  4. Motyer. 2016. Psalm 26: Integrity, Past and Future. A1. “I have walked”: the past reviewed (Ps 26:1). B1. Divine examination invited (Ps 26:2-3). C1. Confession of innocence (negative): life before others (Ps 26:4-5). C2. Confession of innocence (positive): life before God (Ps 26:6-8). B2. –Divine response invited (Ps 26:9-10). A2. “I will walk”: the future pledged (11-12).
  5. John Goldingay. 2013. Psalm 26: I wash my hands in innocence.
  6. TK. Secret of true independence (1-5). The place your glory dwells (6-12). 
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