- A solemn appeal to the just tribunal of the heart-searching God, warranted by the circumstances of the writer, so far as regarded the particular offences with which he was wrongly charged. 2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. The doubtful ways of policy are sure sooner or later to give a fall to those who run therein, but the ways of honesty, though often rough, are always safe. (o) "in perfectione mea", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; so the Targum, Ainsworth. Great care to avoid bad company, is both a good evidence of our integrity, and a good means to keep us in it. 1. The words “A Psalm” are supplied by the translators. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. It may be a good idea to craft your own definition of this powerful prayer to read from time to time and to have handy should you need it in an unexpected situation. And yet the next verse shows that, with all this confidence as to his own character, he felt that there was a "possibility" of his having deceived himself; and, therefore, he pleaded that God would search and test him. Title. Whoever places his hope in God need not seek to advance his worldly interests by violating his duty towards his neighbour: he waits for everything from above, and is, at the same time, always determined that he will not be deprived of the favour of his heavenly Father through violating his commandments. It is not, as in our Prayer book version, "I shall not fall," but it is, "I shall not even slide;" not even make a false step or stumble. He held integrity as his principle, and walked in it as his practice. When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. He had need have a clear case who dares to carry his suit into the King's Bench of heaven. How great is … 4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. Put me again to trial; and see if I would follow such wicked designs as my enemies impute to me. Psalm 118:22–23 The stone that the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. (Psalm 26:1) You have upheld me because of my integrity. 2 Test me, O LORD, and try me; * examine my heart and my mind. (q) "Ne nutare me patiaris", Gejerus. Sign up for the Verse of the Day. do I lift up my soul, v. 1. This is what undergirded so much idolatry in the ancient world, even among God’s chosen people, and this is … Verse 1. See the notes at Job 1:1. George Whitfield, 1714-1770. Psalms 23. The Lord upholds the righteous. 2. - An object of memory and a ground of hope. Psalm 23 is the best known and most popular of all the psalms. Whole Psalm. Faith will work hard for the Lord, and in the Lord's way, but she refuses so much as to lift a finger to fulfil the devices of unrighteous cunning. A Psalm of David. Psalms chapter 26 KJV (King James Version) 1 (A Psalm of David.) The Psalmist was preserved from sin by his assurance of the truthfulness of God's promise, which truth he endeavoured to imitate as well as to believe. I can obtain no right from men. The original is simply “of,” or “by David,” as in Psalm 11:1-7; Psalm 14:1-7; Psalm 26:1-12; and With delight and pleasure, as the word signifies. Additional Resources: Another interpretation of Psalm 23 can be found here, “Praying the 23rd Psalm.” Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. Psalm 26:1 . Unless this Psalm is regarded as a sequel to the preceding one, it will seem vainglorious; but being combined with the penitential acknowledgments of sin, and with the earnest supplications for pardon and grace, and with the earnest profession of faith that God has heard his prayer, which breathe forth in the foregoing Psalm, … When the little bird in my bosom sings a merry song, it is no matter to me if a thousand owls hoot at me from without. The sweet singer asks "Who can stand before his cold?" Psalm 26:1 1 Vindicate a me, O Lord, For I have b walked in my integrity. "And I have walked in thy truth." 1 A psalm of David. Use this table to get a word-for-word translation of the original Hebrew Scripture. Look me through and through; make a minute survey; put me to the question, cross-examine my evidence. This beautiful little volume reminds me of the closeness and intimacy we experience with God through Psalm … AMP. The Psalm appointed, Psalm 26:1-8 1 Give judgment for me, O LORD, for I have lived with integrity; * I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered. If we were not so forgetful of the way of mercy in which God walks towards us, we should be more careful to walk in the ways of obedience towards him. 1 Clear my name, God; I’ve kept an honest shop. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. And David is inviting us to consider what a fortress is like. Do thou therefore do me justice against them, for I have walked in mine integrity; though they accuse me of many crimes, they can prove none of them, and thou and mine own conscience, and theirs too, are witnesses for me, that my carriage towards them hath been innocent and unblamable. plead my cause, or give sentence for me; as this phrase is commonly used, as Psalm 10:18 43:1 72:4 Isaiah 1:17. Look me through and through; make a minute survey; put me to the question, cross-examine my evidence. Psalm 17 8 Meaning; Psalm 18 Commentary; Psalm 20 Meaning; Psalm 21 Meaning; Psalm 22 Summary, Meaning; Psalm 23 Commentary. 3 For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth. As an instance of appeal to heaven, we quote that mighty preacher of the word, George Whitfield. KJ21. Therefore I shall not slide â Thou wilt not deceive my trust, but wilt uphold me against all my enemies, for thou hast promised to save those that trust in thee.Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary26:9 David, in this psalm, appeals to God touching his integrity. There are three modes of trial here challenged, which are said in the original to refer to trial by touch, trial by smell, and trial by fire. When we are in need, the Lord is our salvation. I have committed my cause and affairs to thee, as to a just Judge and merciful Father, and my hope and trust is fixed upon thee alone; therefore thou wilt not deceive my trust, but will uphold me against all mine enemies; for thou hast promised to save those that trust in thee. His hatred to the congregation of the wicked, Psalm 26:4,5. Although the author of the Hebrew text is unknown, in the New Testament the apostles attributed it to David (Acts 4: 24-26). The statements that David makes can sound almost boastful. 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.1. See also Psalm 7:8; Psalm 25:21; where the word is rendered, as here, "integrity." (Psalm 146:8) Are you among the righteous, the upright, the blameless, and those who walk in integrity? I. He had need have a clear case who dares to carry his suit into the King's Bench of heaven. Our version supplies the word "therefore", making these words to be an inference from the former, that because he trusted in the Lord, therefore he should not slide, slip, and fall; not but that true believers may not only have their feet well nigh slipped, but altogether; yea, fall, and that sometimes into great sins, to the breaking of their bones; but then they shall not totally and finally fall; for they stand by faith, and are kept through it by the power of God. A solemn appeal to the just tribunal of the heart searching God, warranted by the circumstances of the writer, so far as regarded the particular offences with which he was wrongly charged. It means here "uprightness, sincerity." Psalm 23 Author; Psalm 23 1 Commentary; Psalm 23 2 Meaning; Psalm 23 3 Commentary; Psalm 23 4 Commentary; Psalm 23 5 Message; Psalm 23 6 Commentary; Psalm 24 Commentary (a) He flees to God to be the judge of his just cause, seeing there is no equity among men. I. A Psalm of David. --Samuel Annesley (1620-1696), in "The Morning Exercises." The Psalmist was so clear from the charge laid against him, that he submitted himself unconditionally to any form of examination which the Lord might see fit to employ. Gordon Churchyard. So this declares the matter of his trust. One thing we must not do, is fear, for “the Lord is the stronghold of my life…”. Vengeance is his, and he will repay it." A Protestation of Integrity. What does this saying mean? 3 So I never lose. (Psalm 37:17) He will never permit the righteous to be moved. Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my mind and my heart. All in all, the requests break down into four sections. What Does it Mean that, “I Shall Not Want”? Vindicate me, O Lord, For I have walked in my integrity. THE ARGUMENT This Psalm was certainly made by David when he was in distress, and particularly when he was falsely accused and defamed by his adversaries, as he frequently was by Saul and his courtiers; and therefore for his vindication he makes a solemn appeal to God, and a protestation of his own innocency, to which he was forced by their clamours and reproaches. God has promised to bless us, we have only to look to him in faith. Psalms 26:1. View Bible Text. The upholding power of trust in God. The Law of the Lord Is PerfectTo the choirmaster. The Psalmist was so clear from the charge laid against him, that he submitted himself unconditionally to any form of examination which the Lord might see fit to employ. Salem Media Group. He who leans upon the Lord is sure to walk in righteousness. 20:7] Psalm 26:1: [Ps. The words may be considered as a prayer, "let me not slide" (q); being sensible of his own weakness, and of the necessity of being upheld in his uprightness, and in the ways of the Lord by him, that his footsteps might not slip; for though he walked in his uprightness, he was not self-sufficient and self-confident, but dependent on the Lord. # Ps. Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Explanation and Commentary of Psalm 46:1. David declareth his integrity and innoceney, Psalm 26:1-3. THE ARGUMENT This Psalm was certainly made by David when he was in distress, and particularly when he was falsely accused and defamed by his adversaries, as he frequently was by Saul and his courtiers; and therefore for his vindication he makes a solemn appeal to God, and a protestation of his own innocency, to which he was forced by their clamours and reproaches. All this is a very bold appeal, and made by a man like David, who feared the Lord exceedingly, it manifests a most solemn and complete conviction of innocence. The psalmist intimates that he had proceeded in one uniform course, notwithstanding all the devices of his enemies. His ability to stand the Lord's testing examination (Psalms 26:2); his morality and avoidance of contact with sin and sinners (Psalms 26:3-5); his piety (Psalms 26:6-8). He had need have a clear case who dares to carry his suit into the King's Bench of heaven. What a comfort it is to have the approbation of one's own conscience! George Phillips. Why should I avenge myself when I know that the Lord has espoused my cause? Verse 1. We cannot trust in God if we walk crookedly; but straight paths and simple faith bring the pilgrim happily to his journey's end. Meaning not that God would enter into judgment with him, in respect to the justification of his person in his sight, which he knew was not by his own righteousness and integrity, but by the righteousness of God; but his view is, to the justification of his cause before men; and particularly to the difference between Saul and him; and entreats that God would interpose, take his cause in hand, judge between them, and vindicate him; for I have walked in mine integrity; or "perfection" (o) not that he thought himself free from sin; this would be contrary to the complaints, confessions, and petitions frequently made by him; but that in the affair with which he was accused, of seeking Saul's harm, 1 Samuel 24:9; he was quite innocent: by his "integrity" he means the purity of his intentions and designs; the uprightness of his conduct, the simplicity and sincerity of his conduct towards all men, and especially his fidelity to his prince; but though he knew nothing by himself, and could not charge himself with any wrong action in this respect, and therefore ought to be acquitted before men; yet he did not expect hereby to be justified in the sight of God; I have trusted also in the Lord; not in himself, in the sincerity of his heart, and the uprightness of his life; nor did he trust to the goodness of his cause; but he committed it to the Lord, who judgeth righteously; and trusted in him that he should not be ashamed and confounded: this shows from whence his integrity sprung, even from faith unfeigned; for, where that is true and genuine, there are works of righteousness, and integrity of life; therefore I shall not slide; these words may be connected with the former, thus; "I have trusted also in the Lord, that I shall not slide" (p); that is, shall not fail in judgment, or lose the cause; but shall stand and carry it, and not be confounded or condemned. The expressions here used should teach us the thoroughness of the divine judgment, and the necessity of being in all things profoundly sincere, lest we be found wanting at the last. Judge me, O Jehovah, for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in Jehovah without wavering. and we may well enquire, "Who can stand before the heat of his justice?". It is a striking word, as fully expressive of the completeness of God's protection and the security of his upholding hand as the psalmist's language of the integrity of his walk and trust in God. Faith will work hard for the Lord, and in the Lord's way, but she refuses so much as to lift a finger to fulfil the devices of unrighteous cunning. Rebecca acted out a great falsehood in order to fulfil the Lord's decree in favour of Jacob - this was unbelief; but Abraham left the Lord to fulfil his own purposes, and took the knife to slay his son - this was faith. Learn more. Psalm 26 is a sturdy prayer that can be prayed by any individual at any time. This man desires to have his inmost soul searched and proved by the Lord. His hatred to the congregation of the wicked, Psalm 26:4,5. (~h), or (~ymt) is used of whatever is uninjured, or is free from any spot or blemish; and hence we find the term applied to an unblemished animal offering in sacrifice. Why should I steal when God has promised to supply my need? The name of Yahweh ("Lord") occurs THREE times. Unless this Psalm is regarded as a sequel to the preceding one, it will seem vainglorious; but being combined with the penitential acknowledgments of sin, and with the earnest supplications for pardon and grace, and with the earnest profession of faith that God has heard his prayer, which breathe forth in the foregoing Psalm, it will be seen that the declarations which the psalmist now makes of integrity, are not assertions of human merit, but acknowledgments of divine mercy. 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