Psalms

A Psalm of David.

 ¹ Vindicate me, O LORD,
         For I have walked in my integrity.
         I have also trusted in the LORD;
         I shall not slip.
This call for vindication is a request for God's judgment in a matter.  This wasn't a general request but a response to a specific charge that was brought against David.  He calls out to God and says, judge me in this matter.  It must have been an attack on David's integrity since that is first mentioned as a defense.  David says his walk was a right walk.  He had not looked away and slipped, he had stayed on course.

Psalm 26:2

 ² Examine me, O LORD, and prove me;
         Try my mind and my heart.

This is a threefold and complete invitation to scrutiny; examine me, prove me, try my mind and heart.

Psalm 26:3-5
 ³ For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes,
         And I have walked in Your truth.
 ⁴ I have not sat with idolatrous mortals,
         Nor will I go in with hypocrites.
 ⁵ I have hated the assembly of evildoers,
         And will not sit with the wicked.
 David has separated himself from the people and things that are sinful and offensive to God.  He hasn't taken up residence in some cave hiding from the world, but he made smart decisions about who he sat with and where he went.

Psalm 26:6-
 ⁶ I will wash my hands in innocence;
         So I will go about Your altar, O LORD,
 ⁷ That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving,
         And tell of all Your wondrous works.
 ⁸ LORD, I have loved the habitation of Your house,
         And the place where Your glory dwells.
Purification and washing was required before one went before the altar to worship the Lord.  David went before the Lord with a attitude of thankfulness and praise for all that God had done.  David proclaims his love for this place where he meets with the Lord and where he worships.

Our washing is by the blood of Jesus Christ.  As we prepare for worship we should make sure we have a heart of repentance and are seeking forgiveness for our sins.  As a Christian with a new heart given by the Lord, we should find that place of worship a most glorious place.  It seems like it should be a constant desire to be in that place as much as we can. 

Palm 26:9-12
 ⁹ Do not gather my soul with sinners,
         Nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
 ¹⁰ In whose hands is a sinister scheme,
         And whose right hand is full of bribes.
         
 ¹¹ But as for me, I will walk in my integrity;
         Redeem me and be merciful to me.
 ¹² My foot stands in an even place;
         In the congregations I will bless the LORD.

David draws another contrast between his life and those around him who have made themselves his enemy.  David describes them as bloodthirsty sinners with sinister schemes driven by the money they were paid by someone with an agenda.  As for David, he walks in integrity.  His foot is on solid ground; an even place where there is no wavering.  David asks to be redeemed by the Lord in His mercy.