For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Psalm 26 – Vindicate me Lord

1 Vindicate me, Lord,
    for I have led a blameless life;
I have trusted in the Lord
    and have not faltered.
2 Test me, Lord, and try me,
    examine my heart and my mind;
3 for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
    and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

4 I do not sit with the deceitful,
    nor do I associate with hypocrites.
5 I abhor the assembly of evildoers
    and refuse to sit with the wicked.
6 I wash my hands in innocence,
    and go about your altar, Lord,
7 proclaiming aloud your praise
    and telling of all your wonderful deeds.

8 Lord, I love the house where you live,
    the place where your glory dwells.
9 Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
    my life with those who are bloodthirsty,
10 in whose hands are wicked schemes,
    whose right hands are full of bribes.
11 I lead a blameless life;
    deliver me and be merciful to me.

12 My feet stand on level ground;
    in the great congregation I will praise the Lord.

A. Find Out:

1. What did David claim? v.1   
2. What did he ask the Lord to do? v.2
3. What, positively, did he say he did? v.3,6-8
4. What did he say he didn’t do? v.4,5
5. What did he ask the Lord not to do? v.9,10
6. Instead what did he ask Him to do & on what grounds? v.11

B. Think:

1. How did David describe unrighteous people?
2. What was David able to claim at this point?
3. What was this psalm really asking?

C. Comment:

    In this psalm, in stark contrast to the other psalms we consider in this Part, David seems not to be aware of his sin but of his lack of it! At this point in his life (and we don’t know when it was) he is able to say that he has led a blameless life and has trusted in the Lord without wavering. At the end of his life he would not have been able to say that but at this point he obviously can. Within it we see his awareness of right and wrong, so let’s examine that.

    First the matters he considers he has done well: he’s continually aware of God’s love and he continually walks in God’s truth. In worship he praises the Lord and he loves being near the presence of God.

    Next let’s consider what he seeks to avoid: mixing with people who are deceitful, hypocrites, evildoers, and wicked. Rather than avoid specific things, he avoids specific types of people.

     Why does he say all this? Because he calls to God to redeem him and reserve a place for him with God in eternity.

     The psalm leaves us with questions: how can someone pray like this? Answer: only by knowing that God has declared you righteous and blameless. This is the position of the Christian who has been redeemed by the Cross of Christ, this is our position.

D. Application?

1. Do I feel at ease with the gaze of God on my life?
2. Do I trust the Lord alone implicitly for my salvation?