Psalm 26 - Integrity & Unwavering Faith!!!
King David was not a perfect person, nor was he a perfect leader…he was just another flawed human being. That said, his heart was usually turned towards God, and trying to follow the path of righteousness (for the most part). It was his constant connection to God that God valued. And in that space there were elements of David’s personal integrity (though it failed at times) was consistent, from his time as a shepherd boy, his days as a warrior poet, to his years as king.
Psalm 26 is a psalm that reflect David’s desire to live a righteous life, one full of integrity - but the key to being able to accomplish that goal was not his won personal strength or capacity to do good - but rather his unwavering faith in God (Yahweh).
Psalm 26 says… “A Psalm of David”
Verse 1-3: “Declare me innocent, O Lord, for I have acted with integrity; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart. For I am always aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth.”
David, as flawed as he was - still valued integrity. David believed that the foundation of his integrity lay in his faith in God, and the unwavering nature of that faith.
Despite all the things that happened to David, and all the sinful things he did - David still turned to God - both in prayer for help, and also in worship.
David, even dares to ask God to put him on trial - much like Job did.
The parameters of the test relate to David’s ongoing and ever present awareness of the awesome outpouring of God’s love on his life.
It is that evidence that David uses to note that is why he lives according to the truth of God’s word.
Verses 4-8: “I do not spend time with liars or go along with hypocrites. I hate the gatherings of those who do evil, and I refuse to join in with the wicked. I wash my hands to declare my innocence. I come to your altar, O Lord, singing a song of thanksgiving and telling of all your wonders. I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where your glorious presence dwells.”
David’s comment of “I’m not with liars or hypocrites” is an offshoot fo the more modern concept of “Bad company corrupts good character” - Essentially David is saying “God, I don’t spend my time associating and interacting with those who corrupt my character - therefore I am living a life of integrity and righteousness.
It is also interesting to note that David then turns his attention to his acts of righteousness. Namely, singing songs and psalms of thanksgiving of the great things God has done for him. David also mentions telling others of the ‘wonders’ or even mysteries of God’s actions towards him.
Then David adds in perhaps the most important statement so far - “I love your sanctuary Lord, the place where your glorious presence dwells” - this is David plainly stating that He enjoys being in the presence of God.
Now, David wasn’t talking about the Temple - it hadn’t been built yet by his son Solomon. Rather, the same tabernacle that Moses had built was present at Kiriath-Jearim prior to David moving it to Jerusalem. The Temple of Solomon was built in a similar pattern and formed to the tabernacle - and so David was talking about being in a place where God’s ‘Shekinah’ glory physically manifested in the Holy of Holies.
It is hard - with all of life’s troubles and struggles to ‘feel’ close to God. Yet David’s words give us an indication of how to draw close to God.
Firstly, it seems as if we must be intentional about it. David tells us that he enjoys being in the presence of God, and being in the tabernacle. This also means that he deliberately, and intensionally went and visited the place of God’s presence.
Secondly, David worshipped there, giving thanks and paise to God.
Thirdly, David gave testimony as to the loving and gracious actions of God in his own life.
This is a pattern we need to emulate in our own walk with Christ. There is one key difference between us modern Christians and King David - we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which means that we do not have to go to one place where the spirit and glory of God dwells - but rather, we can give praise, pray and worship God from within and by doing those things out loud.
Verses 9-11: “Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners. Don’t condemn me along with murderers. Their hands are dirty with evil schemes, and they constantly take bribes. But I am not like that; I live with integrity. So redeem me and show me mercy.”
David knows that living a sinful and prideful life causes God to dispense HIS wrath and judgement on individuals, groups of people and on nations.
Here David is asking God to separate him out from all those people that live an ungodly, unrighteous lifestyle. In this, David pleads for mercy and asks God to redeem him (knowing that he too is a sinner), reestablishing a right relationship with God.
Verse 12: “Now I stand on solid ground, and I will publicly praise the Lord.”
David finishes this short but powerful psalm with a statement about his faith in God.
David notes that his foundation for life is solid because his trust is solely placed in god, and God alone.
And from that foundation of trust and faith - David phrases and worships the Lord in a public manner.
This too is something that we must emulate - and I don’t just mean that we should participate in Sunday worship services that are often more like stage productions and communal Christian karaoke parties.
Our praise must be done in earnest, not in a form of self-pride or conceitedness.
Once again we find King David laying out his soul and his heart to the reader - but more importantly he is laying it out before God as a prayer - which is why we can use the psalms as a source of comfort, encouragement and words to pray.
I hope and pray that you are able to worship like David did…to praise like David did…to seek the presence of God like David did. it is then that you will have a solid foundation in this life.