The Confidence of the Righteous in the Lord’s Righteousness

David protests his innocence as to the accusations made against him, and in v. 1-5 lists six evidences and tests of his claim. In v. 6 is a figurative expression by which he declares his faultlessness. As Pontius Pilate washed his hands to denote that he had no connection with what was to take place, so David likewise washed his hands. But the water was innocency. He could come with perfect liberty to God’s altar, because he had his eye of faith upon Christ, who is the altar, and sanctifies the comer and the gift.


He declares his love for God’s house, for that is where the congregation meets to bless God. To be there is to be in the best company, to be doing the best thing, and to know the more immediate presence of God. It is not satisfying to serve God only in private; it is our duty and privilege to honour Him in public worship.

Psalm 26

   1  Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked
         in mine integrity:
      I trusted also in the Lord;
         slide therefore shall not I.

   2  Examine me, and do me prove;
         try heart and reins, O God:
   3  For thy love is before mine eyes,
         thy truth's paths I have trod.

   4  With persons vain I have not sat,
         nor with dissemblers gone:
   5  Th' assembly of ill men I hate;
         to sit with such I shun.

   6  Mine hands in innocence, O Lord,
         I'll wash and purify;
      So to thine holy altar go,
         and compass it will I:

   7  That I, with voice of thanksgiving,
         may publish and declare,
      And tell of all thy mighty works,
         that great and wondrous are.

   8  The habitation of thy house,
         Lord, I have loved well;
      Yea, in that place I do delight
         where doth thine honor dwell.

   9  With sinners gather not my soul,
         and such as blood would spill:
  10  Whose hands mischievous plots, right hand
         corrupting bribes do fill.

  11  But as for me, I will walk on
         in mine integrity:
      Do thou redeem me, and, O Lord,
         be merciful to me.

  12  My foot upon an even place
         doth stand with steadfastness:
      Within the congregations
         th' Eternal I will bless.

 
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