The Book of Psalms
Psalm 26
Psalm XXVI · Vol. II, pp. 1001–1002
David resorteth unto God in confidence of his integrity.
A psalm of David.
1 Judge me,a O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have btrusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
5 Ih have hated the congregation of evil-doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
h Ps.15.4; 6.8; 119.63,115; 101.3-8. Ge.49.6. 1 Co.5.9-11.
6 Ii will wash mine hands in 1innocency: jso will I compass thine altar, O LORD;
i Is.1.16,18. Ex.30.19-21. He.10.19-22. Ps.73.13.
1 Surely no mere man since the fall could, or did, ever say in truth, I will wash mine hands in innocency! Is not he who so affirms undoubtedly the Christ?—C.
j Ps.66.13-15; 116.12-18; 43.3,4.
7 Thatk I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
k Ps.71.14-24; 145.2-21.
8 LORD,l I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place 2where thine honour dwelleth.3
l Ps.27.4; 42.1,2; 63.1,2; 84.1,2,10.
2 Heb. of the tabernacle of thy honour.
3 The tabernacle was the habitation and house of God before the erection of the temple by Solomon. Consequently the use of these terms here has no bearing on the date of the psalm. The word rendered 'honour' probably signifies the Shekinah glory.—P.
9 Gather not4 my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men;5
4 Or, take not away, Ps.28.3; 55.23. 1 Sa.25.29. Ge.18.23. Is.3.11.
5 Heb. men of bloods.
10 Inn whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of6 bribes.
n Pr.1.16,18; 4.16. Is.33.15.
6 Heb. filled with.
Notes
Ver. 1. Mine integrity. No conscious sinner ever called for judgment, but for mercy; none ever asserted integrity, being guilty of sin. This is therefore a prayer of Christ, who, though he bore our sins, knew no sin; and who, on behalf of his redeemed members, pleads his perfect righteousness. C.
Ver. 3. Who can boldly say unto God, I have walked in thy truth—not merely man's truth, but God's truth? Adam did not so walk; Eve did not so walk; Aaron did not so walk; David did not so walk: the apostles did not so walk. All these, as their histories testify, came short of the glory of God. Christ alone so walked, he alone could so affirm.—Note, How blessed are believers, to whom the promises of mercy, pardon, and salvation are all confirmed by Him who is the truth. C.
Reflections.—While here we behold Jesus Christ in a figure, as holy, harmless, undefiled, and separated from sinners, and wash our heart and hands in his blood and grace, let us observe how comfortable under calumny it is to possess conscious innocence. They who trust in God are kept by his mighty power through faith unto salvation; and the faith or sense of Jesus' love, and a due regard to his word, will tend to restrain from sin. But nothing is more dangerous to souls than fellowship with the ungodly. To sit long amidst light, vain, and unprofitable discourse, perhaps more deadens the heart than that which is notoriously profane. No man appears really gracious who does not study to avoid the company of the wicked. No man rightly approaches God's ordinances but in the way of washing his heart and life in the sin expiating and subduing fountain of Jesus' blood and Spirit. None can love God without loving his ordinances, and counting his service perfect freedom, and his works of grace inexpressibly marvellous. However joyous the assemblies of sinners may be now, it will be infinitely dreadful to be gathered with them in death or in the last judgment. And even those who walk in their uprightness, must before God stand on the foundation of Jesus' redeeming blood and infinite mercy; and all their steadfastness in Christ or his way must be thankfully ascribed to their faith.