TRUST IN THE LORD

Passage: Psalm 26:1-12

Key verse: 1

NIV

Psalm 26
Of David.

1 Vindicate me,(A) Lord,
    for I have led a blameless life;(B)
I have trusted(C) in the Lord
    and have not faltered.(D)
2 Test me,(E) Lord, and try me,
    examine my heart and my mind;(F)
3 for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love(G)
    and have lived(H) in reliance on your faithfulness.(I)

4 I do not sit(J) with the deceitful,
    nor do I associate with hypocrites.(K)
5 I abhor(L) the assembly of evildoers
    and refuse to sit with the wicked.
6 I wash my hands in innocence,(M)
    and go about your altar, Lord,
7 proclaiming aloud your praise(N)
    and telling of all your wonderful deeds.(O)

8 Lord, I love(P) the house where you live,
    the place where your glory dwells.(Q)
9 Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
    my life with those who are bloodthirsty,(R)
10 in whose hands are wicked schemes,(S)
    whose right hands are full of bribes.(T)
11 I lead a blameless life;
    deliver me(U) and be merciful to me.

12 My feet stand on level ground;(V)
    in the great congregation(W) I will praise the Lord.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

I Will Bless the Lord

Of David.

26 (A)Vindicate me, O Lord,
    for I have (B)walked in my integrity,
    and I have (C)trusted in the Lord without wavering.
2 (D)Prove me, O Lord, and try me;
    test my heart and (E)my mind.[a]
3 For your (F)steadfast love is before my eyes,
    and I (G)walk in your (H)faithfulness.

4 I do not (I)sit with men of (J)falsehood,
    nor do I consort with hypocrites.
5 I (K)hate the assembly of evildoers,
    and I will not sit with the wicked.

6 I (L)wash my hands in innocence
    and go around your altar, O Lord,
7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,
    and telling all your (M)wondrous deeds.

8 O Lord, I (N)love the habitation of your house
    and the place where your glory dwells.
9 (O)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 (P)bribes.

11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;
    redeem me, and be gracious to me.
12 My foot stands on (Q)level ground;
    in (R)the great assembly I will bless the Lord.

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Footnotes
  1. Psalm 26:2 Hebrew test my kidneys and my heart
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

David mentioned that he was surrounded by deceitful people, hypocrites, evildoers, and the wicked (4-5) who are following the patterns of the world. He felt he was under ruthless attack from enemies not just during the wars but also in peaceful times. Yet he confessed, “I have led a blameless life” (1b).

How could David say this? He had been mindful of God’s unfailing love and relied on His faithfulness (3). David was eager to stay in the place where God’s glory dwells instead of sitting with the deceitful (8). He was praying for his soul and God’s guidance instead of accompanying evildoers and the wicked (9, 10).

In brief, he overcame the world. He didn’t follow the ways of the world, but obeyed God’s decrees. God gave him power and self-discipline (2 Tim1:7) when David trusted in the Lord. God led him to live a blameless life. David confessed, “Vindicate me, Lord, … Test me Lord” (1a, 2a). David became a shining light (Mt 5:16) in the world. And David prayed, “I lead a blameless life; deliver me and be merciful to me” (11).

Prayer: Lord, strengthen us to faithfully follow your way and let our light shine before others, like David.

One Word: Trust in God