"Of David.
1 Vindicate me, O Lord,
for I have walked in my integrity,
and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me;
test my heart and my mind.
3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
and I walk in your faithfulness.
4 I do not sit with men of falsehood,
nor do I consort with hypocrites.
5 I hate the assembly of evildoers,
and I will not sit with the wicked.
6 I wash my hands in innocence
and go around your altar, O Lord,
7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,
and telling all your wondrous deeds.
8 O Lord, I love the habitation of your house
and the place where your glory dwells.
9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,
nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
10 in whose hands are evil devices,
and whose right hands are full of bribes.
11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;
redeem me, and be gracious to me.
12 My foot stands on level ground;
in the great assembly I will bless the Lord."
Psalm 26
Two further points must be made about this Psalm. The first is that it teaches quite clearly a doctrine of separation. This must not be misconstrued to mean separatism, and become a selfish withdrawal from a world that needs good men's presence all the more, the worse it is. The true biblical doctrine forbids, not association, but complicity, with the world. As one commentator puts it, 'Association with such men is necessary, else we must needs go out of the world, and leaven must be in contact with dough in order to do its transforming work; but it is impossible for a man whose heart is truly in touch with God not to feel ill at ease when brought into contact with those who have no share in his deepest convictions and emotions'. The second point relates to the setting and circumstances of the Psalm. One commentator suggests that it is one of many which refer to religious strife among the Jews, the controversy and conflict between the orthodox upholders of the traditional faith and the innovators who endangered its purity. As a champion of a right case, the Psalmist calls on Jehovah to vindicate him in the face of his enemies. This makes the Psalm very relevant for us today, when men have become almost afraid of being known as being loyal to the old paths (cf Jeremiah 6:16-20), lest the stigma of contempt and derision be attached to them. Well, the costly innovations which are substituted for the old paths today are bringing anything but rest to the souls of men, and anything but quickening and vitality to the life of the church today. We do well, therefore, to follow the Psalmist's example here and cry to the Lord to vindicate our cause. In this, we are on sure ground (12).