INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 26 PSALM OF DAVID. The occasion of this psalm seems to be the quarrel between Saul and David, the former listening to calumnies and reproaches cast upon the latter, and persecuting him in a violent manner. The argument of it is the same, in a great measure, with the seventh ps... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGE ME, O LORD,.... 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... [ Continue Reading ]
EXAMINE ME, O LORD,.... His cause, his integrity, and trust in the Lord, as silver and gold are examined by the touchstone, the word of God, which is the standard of faith and practice; AND PROVE ME; or "tempt me" r; as Abraham was tempted by the Lord; and his faith in him, and fear of him, and lov... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THY LOVINGKINDNESS [IS] BEFORE MINE EYES,.... The special lovingkindness of God, shown in the choice of him in Christ, in the provision of a Saviour for him, and in the effectual calling of him; which lovingkindness is unmerited, free, and sovereign, is from everlasting and to everlasting; it is... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE NOT SAT WITH VAIN PERSONS,.... Or "men of vanity" t; who are full of it; who are addicted to the vanities of the world; who pursue the riches, honours, pleasures, and profits of it; which is no other than walking in a vain show: whose thoughts, words, and actions are vain; who are vainly puff... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE HATED THE CONGREGATION OF EVILDOERS,.... That do harm to the persons, characters, or properties of men; and who meet together in bodies, to consult and form schemes to do mischief, and have their assemblies to encourage each other in it; these, their works and actions, the psalmist hated, tho... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL WASH MY HANDS IN INNOCENCY,.... The Vulgate Latin version renders it, "among innocent persons"; men of a holy harmless life and conversation; with these he determined to converse in common, and not with such as before described; or the sense is, that he would wash his hands, in token of his i... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT I MAY PUBLISH WITH THE VOICE OF THANKSGIVING,.... Or "cause to hear with the voice of confession" z: the meaning is, that the view of the psalmist, in compassing the altar of God in the manner he proposed, was not to offer upon it any slain beast; but to offer the sacrifices of praise upon that... [ Continue Reading ]
LORD, I HAVE LOVED THE HABITATION OF THY HOUSE,.... Meaning the tabernacle, for as yet the temple was not built; which was an habitation for the saints, where they chose to dwell, and reckoned it their happiness, and was the habitation of the Lord himself: the sanctuary was built for that purpose; a... [ Continue Reading ]
GATHER NOT MY SOUL WITH SINNERS,.... Profligate and abandoned ones, such as are notoriously profane, and who live and die impenitent ones; otherwise all men are sinners: the sense is, either that he desires that he might not, by any means, be brought into the company of such persons, be joined unto... [ Continue Reading ]
IN WHOSE HANDS [IS] MISCHIEF,.... Every abominable wickedness; as idolatry, adultery, murder, c. the word signifies and is sometimes used for mischief conceived in the mind, artificially devised and contrived there here mischief committed, the hand being the instrument of action, and intends whateve... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT AS FOR ME, I WILL WALK IN MINE INTEGRITY,.... In which he had hitherto walked, Psalms 26:1; or it may express his faith, that after he was gathered by death he should walk in uprightness and righteousness, in purity and perfection, with Christ in white, and behold the face of God in righteousnes... [ Continue Reading ]
MY FOOT STANDETH IN AN EVEN PLACE,.... Or "in a plain" b; in a sure place; on Christ the sure foundation, and who is the plain way and path to eternal life; see Psalms 27:11; or in the ways and worship of God, prescribed by his word; and so denotes steadfastness and continuance in them; IN THE CONG... [ Continue Reading ]