Psalms 26:1 «[A Psalm] of David. » Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; [therefore] I shall not slide. Ver. 1. _Judge me, O Lord_] i.e. Judge between me and mine enemies; not between me and thee, as R. David expoundeth it, for then I am sure to be... [ Continue Reading ]
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. Ver. 2. _Examine me, O Lord, and prove me_] It must needs be a good conscience that thus boldly offereth itself to God's trial; so Job 31:6 . _ Try my reins and my heart_] _i.e._ Mine affections and thoughts; for these are _sibi mutuo ca... [ Continue Reading ]
For thy lovingkindness [is] before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. Ver. 3. _For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes_] And that is a strong tie upon my conscience. The cords of love are the cords of a man, Hosea 11:4. To sin against mercy is to sin against humanity, it is no less than... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers._ Ver. 4. _I have not sat with vain persons_] Who are void of God's holy fear, but filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, &c., Romans 1:29. Courtiers are such for most part, and David never d... [ Continue Reading ]
I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked. Ver. 5. _I have hated the congregation of evildoers_] The Church malignant, whose lives are a mystery of iniquity, as Josephus saith of Antipater; _qui omnia turbant et miscent, tantum ut ipsi crescere possint,_ as Arist... [ Continue Reading ]
I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: Ver. 6. _I will wash mine hands in innocency_] As Exodus 40:32 1 Timothy 2:8; see Deu 21:6 Isaiah 1:15 James 5:8. If in our addresses to God we cannot wash our hands in innocency, yet we must wash them in tears: _Quem poeni... [ Continue Reading ]
That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. Ver. 7. _That I may publish_] This was the end David propounded to himself in all his solemn services; that he might set up God, and not serve himself upon God. _ And tell of all thy wondrous works_] All God's m... [ Continue Reading ]
LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. Ver. 8. _Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house_] Much more the people, and the ordinances there, but most of all the Lord himself of that house (as if a man love the schoolmaster for his child's sake... [ Continue Reading ]
Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: Ver. 9. _Gather not my soul with sinners_] I have loved thy house, which sinners never delighted in; therefore "gather not my soul with sinners"; so the Syriac senseth it. Let me not die the death of sinners, for I never cared for their... [ Continue Reading ]
In whose hands [is] mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. Ver. 10. _In whose hands is mischief_] Wicked contrivance. Here we have the true portraiture of a corrupt courtier, such as Saul's were.... [ Continue Reading ]
But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. Ver. 11. _But as for me, I will walk_] Whatever others do, their example shall be no rule to me to deviate. See my Righteous Man's Recompense, D. 1. _ Redeem me, &c._] For I am likely to suffer deeply for my singular... [ Continue Reading ]
My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD. Ver. 12. _My foot standeth in an even place_] _i.e._ Mine affections are in an equal tenor. A good man is τετραγωνος ολοκληρος, the scales of his mind neither rise up toward the beam, through their own lightness, or thei... [ Continue Reading ]