Psalm 26: Vindicate me LORD
Vindicate me, LORD,
I’ve led a blameless life
And I’ve trusted in the LORD without wavering.
Justify me LORD,
I’ve led a blameless life.
Redeem me and be merciful to me.
Test me and try me O LORD,
Examine my heart and my mind.
Your love is ever before me,
And I walk every day in your truth.
I will not sit down,
With men who plan deceit,
Nor will I spend my time with the hypocrites;
And I will not sit down,
With evil, wicked men,
For I abhor and hate their society.
I’ve washed my hands, I am innocent.
Your mighty deeds I proclaim.
I love the house where you live LORD,
That place where your glory dwells.
Do not take away,
My soul with sinful men,
Or let my life be lost to the bloodthirsty.
Their hands shape wicked schemes,
Their right hands taking bribes.
Be merciful to me and redeem me.
My feet stand on ground that’s level,
Therefore I’ll praise you O LORD.
I’ll stand in that great assembly,
And I will bring praise to my LORD.
Bring my praises.
Jeff Lowe : lead vocal, piano, guitar, concertina, synth- pad & flute, bass
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Psalm 26 Reflection
The opening statement in Psalm 26 could give the impression that King David was self-righteous. Was David blameless? Clearly not, but if by “a blameless life”, he meant keeping God and his law as his standard, then we could agree that despite his repeated failings he had kept the faith. He has been ever mindful of God’s unfailing love. And as a consequence of this, in verses 4 & 5, (which recall the beginning of psalm 1) , he insists that he actively shuns all evil influences and puts his energies into the business of service in the house of God.
In the context of the description of the wickedness which surrounds him, the psalmist ends with a plea for deliverance and mercy. With hindsight we now see how this has been made possible, for the New Testament assures us that God who is faithful and just will, if we confess our sins, forgive us and purify us of all unrighteousness.