Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity.
Leading proofs of personal piety
I. A strong craving for a knowledge of the real state of the character. “Judge me, O Lord.” Implying--
1. A belief in the possibility of being self-deceived.
2. A desire to be made right, at whatever cost.
II. A practical recognition of God’s mercy. “For Thy loving kindness is before mine eyes.” The life of the godly is marked by--
1. The strongest gratitude.
2. The highest courage.
III. A profound consciousness of sincerity of conduct. “I have walked in Thy truth.” The godly man hates hypocrisy and loathes shame.
IV. A strong repugnance to all ungodly society, “I have not sat with vain persons,” etc.
1. He declares that he never had any fellowship with them (Psalms 26:4).
2. He expresses his hatred of them (Psalms 26:5).
3. He prays that he may not be gathered to their company (Psalms 26:9). Good men shun the society of the wicked, because
(1) it is wrong;
(2) because it is pernicious.
V. A delight in the public worship of God. “I will wash mine hands in innocency,” etc. True worship--
1. Requires personal preparation.
2. Consists in public acknowledgments.
3. Is inspired with the presence of God.
VI. A fixed determination to walk ever with the holy. “But as for me, I will walk,” etc. (Psalms 26:11-12). (Homilist.)
The character of an upright man sketched by himself
To do this requires much introspection. Yet there may he circumstances when such work becomes necessary.
I. The Psalmist had a good foundation on which his life was built.
1. Trust in Jehovah (Psalms 26:1).
2. God’s loving kindness (Psalms 26:5).
3. God’s truth; that is, His faithfulness (Psalms 26:3).
Note: all the supports of his integrity were outside himself. Happy the man that can stay his mind on Divine faithfulness and love! If these props cease to sustain, moral and spiritual worth pine from want of motive and hope.
II. The life built on this foundation is worthy of imitation. It was a life of--
1. Integrity (Psalms 26:11).
2. Straightforward progress (Psalms 26:1).
3. Avoiding evil associations (Psalms 26:4-5).
4. Cultivation of holy worship, song, and thanksgiving (Psalms 26:6-8; Psalms 26:12).
Note--
(1) Those who have God as the support of their life will show a life worthy of such support.
(2) Those who most value communion with God will most freely appreciate and cultivate the stimulus and comfort to be obtained from united worship. (C. Clemence, D. D.)
An appeal marked by specific entreaty
Four lines of supplication.
I. That God would vindicate him and not let him be mixed up with those he hates (Psalms 26:1; Psalms 26:9-10).
II. That God would search and prove him (Psalms 26:2).
III. That God would purify him (Psalms 26:3). Upright before men, he does not pretend to be perfect before God.
IV. That God would entirely deliver him from the surroundings of ungenial and unholy men (Psalms 26:9-10). (C. Clemence, D. D.)
David’s appeal and its issue
I. An appeal to God to be his judge.
II. The causes that induced him to it.
1. His faith and confidence in God.
2. His integrity.
(1) How he carried himself to men: abstaining from all association with wicked doers.
(2) How to God: showing marks of his piety.
III. The petition. That God would not suffer him to be polluted with the conversation of wicked men, nor involved in their punishment
IV. His gratitude. He will praise the Lord in the congregations. (Bp. Wm. Nicholson.)
David’s integrity
It would be madness in any man, however blameless his life may have been, to call upon God to enter into judgment with him for his offences against Him. It is, however, often otherwise in regard to many of our fellow mere We can safely invite the omniscient Judge to decide between us and them. We can say in regard to, them, as David does, “Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity.” Though Saul sought David’s life, and once with his own band hurled a javelin at him to slay him, David never for a moment swerved from the conduct of a dutiful subject, he still fought Saul’s battles for him, and though Saul was pursuing him as an outlaw, spared him when it was in his power to kill him. He never raised his hand against the king, nor allowed those under his control to do so. Integrity had marked his whole conduct, so that Saul himself was obliged to acknowledge with tears, “Thou art more righteous than I; for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.” So should it be with the Christian always. He should never allow the injustice of others to mar his integrity. Principle, not passion, should be the pole star of his course. (D. Caldwell, M. A.)