Praying Psalm 26

"Bring it on!"

What is the title of Psalm 26? of David.

Read Psalm 26:1-3

1 Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord I am not shaken.
² Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind.
³ For your chesed is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness (truth).

What does the psalmist ask?

Test me – I am innocent! I'm not shaken.

BUT in Psalm 25 – David admits guilt; so how can this be?

David trusts in YOUR chesed (steadfast love) & YOUR truth.

Read Psalm 26:4-5
⁴ I do not sit with men of falsehood/ vainess, nor do I consort with hypocrites.
⁵ I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.

Where does the psalmist NOT find himself?

See Psalm 1. Not in the counsel of the wicked...Sit , dwell –be with…

There are two paths in Proverbs. One is "wisdom", and one is "folly". He’s not on THAT one.

Read 26:6-8

⁶ I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, YHWH,
⁷ proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds.
⁸ O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells.

What does the psalmist dwell?

YHWH’s house. His people, his presence, his gifts, his forgiveness, his altar. CHURCH!! This is where God is with His people.

Read Psalm 26:9-10

9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
10 in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes.

What is the psalmist’s concern?

Don’t sweep me away WITH THEM. I am not one of them. There is a distinction between "sinners/evildoers" and me

 AND there will be judgment.

Read Psalm 26:11-12

¹¹ But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me.
¹² My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.

How does the psalmist walk?

He walks right, strong and stable – IN the great assembly. Not because he's such a clever guy, But because of WHERE he is - YHWH's house, YHWH's actions. YHWH's people.

The level ground is a result of where he dwells – Proverbs, 3:21-26, 4:10-19

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME?

What is the purpose of this Psalm/prayer?

Proclaim confidence

How does Christ fulfill this psalm?

Simeon sees baby Christ & proclaims – "I have seen salvation – I can die/ be judged!"

God’s chesed (steadfast love) on account of Christ allows this crazy confidence.

How can we pray this?

We know where salvation & chesed (love) and truth is =  in Christ. We know where we dwell! Judge us, Lord! Bring it on!

WE PRAY:  

Thy kingdom come.

What does this mean? The kingdom of God comes indeed without our prayer, of itself; but we pray in this petition that it may come unto us also.

How is this done? When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead a godly life here in time and yonder in eternity.