PSALM XXVI _The psalmist appeals to God for his integrity, and desires to_ _be brought to the Divine test in order to have his innocence_ _proved_, 1-3; _shows that he had avoided all fellowship with the wicked, and_ _associated with the upright_, 4-8; _prays that he may not have his final lot... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 26:2. _EXAMINE ME, O LORD_] To thee I appeal; and feel no hesitation in wishing to have all the motives of my heart dissected and exposed to thy view, and to that of the world.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 26:3. _FOR THY LOVING-KINDNESS_] A sense of thy favour and approbation was more to my heart than thrones and sceptres; and in order to retain this blessing, _I have walked in thy truth_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 26:4. _I HAVE NOT SAT WITH VAIN PERSONS_] מתי שוא _methey shav,_ _men of lies, dissemblers, backbiters_, c. _NEITHER WILL I GO IN WITH DISSEMBLERS_] נעלמים _naalamim_, the _hidden ones_, the _dark designers_, the _secret plotters_ and conspirators in the state.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 26:5. _I HAVE HATED THE CONGREGATION OF EVIL DOERS_] I have never made one in the crowds of discontented persons; persons who, under pretense of rectifying what was wrong in the _state_, strove to subvert it, to breed general confusion, to overturn the laws, seize on private property, a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 26:6. _I WILL WASH MINE HANDS IN INNOCENCY_] Washing the hands was frequent among the Jews, and was sometimes an action by which a man declared his innocence of any base or wicked transaction. This _Pilate_ did, to protest his innocence of the mal-treatment and death of Christ. I will m... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 26:7. _THAT I MAY PUBLISH_] I have endeavoured to act so as always to keep a conscience void of offence towards thee and towards man. I have made a profession of faith in thee, and salvation from thee, and my _practice_ gives no lie to my _profession_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 26:8. _LORD, I HAVE LOVED THE HABITATION OF THY HOUSE_] I have carefully used thine ordinances, that I might obtain more grace to help me to persevere. And I have not been attentive to those duties, merely because they were _incumbent_ on me; but _I have loved_ _the place where thine h... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 26:9. _GATHER NOT MY SOUL WITH SINNERS_] As I have never loved their company, nor followed their practice, let not my eternal lot be cast with them! I neither love them nor their ways; may I never be doomed to spend an eternity with them!... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 26:10. _THEIR RIGHT HAND IS FULL OF BRIBES_] He speaks of persons in office, who took bribes to pervert judgment and justice.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 26:11. _BUT AS FOR ME, I WILL WALK IN MINE INTEGRITY_] Whatever I may have to do with public affairs, shall be done with the strictest attention to truth, justice, and mercy. _REDEEM ME_] From all snares and plots laid against my life and my soul. _AND BE MERCIFUL UNTO ME._] I _deserv... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 26:12. _MY FOOT STANDETH IN AN EVEN PLACE_] On the above principles I have taken my stand: to abhor evil; to cleave to that which is good; to avoid the company of wicked men; to frequent the ordinances of God; to be true and just in all my dealings with men; and to depend for my support... [ Continue Reading ]