"Vindicate Me O Lord" (Psalm 26)

by Doy Moyer

To ask God to judge us can be both uncomfortable and purging at the same time. It forces a sense of honesty from us and causes us to tear away any wall of hypocrisy. Uncomfortable? Yes. But necessary.

“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?” 2 Cor 13:5

“The Lord judges the peoples; Vindicate me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and my integrity that is in me” (Psalm 7:8).

We must constantly evaluate our relationship with God, lest we fall into that complacency, taking everything for granted and just floating along. Psalm 26 is a good reminder of this.

Taking a look at the Psalm, notice how well this fits with the way we ought to be thinking and living.

1. See the necessity of God’s judgment and examination (vv 1-2). The Christian should welcome God’s vindication and judgment. This goes to the very heart and mind. Note also Hebrews 4:12-13.

2. We must fully trust God if we are going to walk in integrity and faithfulness (vs. 1).

3. We must keep these two matters before our eyes: A) God’s lovingkindness (grace, mercy), and B) His truth, so that we may walk in it.

4. We must identify wickedness so that we will separate ourselves from those who practice it (vv. 4-5). See Paul’s argument in 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 for more on this.

5. Be prepared to offer sacrifice to God in purity and holiness (vs. 6). See Romans 12:1-2 and Hebrews 13:15-16 for the types of sacrifices we are offer God under Christ.

6. Serving God also has the goal, not only of personal purity and sacrifice, but also of proclaiming the message to others. We must have the “voice of thanksgiving” and the desire to “declare all Your wonders” (vs. 7). God’s people are not content to sit on God’s truth; they want to share it.

7. God’s people love to be where God is, where His glory dwells, and they love to be with each other (vs. 8). The tabernacle and temple were meant to represent God’s dwelling among the people. In Christ, we are His temple, and our purpose is to glorify Him.

8. There is an intense desire for salvation and not wanting to be carried away with the wicked (vv. 9-10). Once again, wickedness is identified and shunned. See Ephesians 5:1-12 for the New Testament counterpart to this point.

9. We must make a full commitment to walking in integrity (vs. 11). We cannot expect God to redeem us and be merciful to us if we do not trust Him and commit to truth.

10. Stability is found in God, and once we recognize this, nothing will stop us from blessing and praising His name (vs. 12).

Psalm 26 is a great reminder of what it means to serve the Lord completely and faithfully. We strive to glorify Him, praise Him, tell others of Him, and maintain personal holiness, offering up ourselves as sacrifices for Him.

While it may be uncomfortable to ask God to judge us, this is exactly what we need to do in order to keep our integrity before Him.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me and know my anxious thoughts;

And see if there be any hurtful way in me,

And lead me in the everlasting way.”
(Psalm 139:23-24)

  

Other Articles by Doy Moyer

Was Jesus Literally Forsaken?
It Is What It Is
The Problem With Creeds
Baptism and the Blood