Notes on the Book of Psalms, Psalm 26
The xxvi. PSALM.
David being slaundered by his enemies appeals to God, to judge if he have done or thought as they say of him; and whether to God and man his behaviour hath not been such as it should be, which he is sure it hath, the love of God constraining him. Yea, he hath declined all temptations to the contrary, and is fully resolved to keep faith and a good conscience to the end. And then praies: That since he is and hath been studious of piety and innocency, he may not be exposed to wicked mens cruelty, nor his end be like theirs, promising when God shall advance him, to be as incorrupt and innocent in prosperity as in adversity. And concludes with confidence of supportation and good success in Gods way, which is the way he is in.
Psalm xxvi. A Psalm of David.A Psalm made by David.
1JUdge me, O Lord, for I have walked in mine innocency: I have trusted also in the Lord: therefore I shall not slide.1 MIne enemies condemn and censure me, but, Lord, I appeal to thee who judgest with righteous judgement, of whom I am sure I shall be acquit of all their slaunderous accusations, for thou knowest that all I have done hath been with an honest heart in obedience to thee, and without wrong-doing to any man, nor have I so much as stepped out of the way by indirect and unlawful means, to compass the fulfilling of thy promises, but have both waited and believed in the Lord, to do it in his own way and time. Therefore I am confident that God in his grace and righteousness will uphold and prosper me and mine innocency against mine enemies.
2Examine me, O Lord; and prove me; try my reins and my heart.2 Having a clear conscience, I freely expose and put my self into thine hands, where I am sure of justice and truth, to be examined and tried of those things whereof mine enemies unjustly accuse me, both within and without, as well touching the uprightness of mine heart in respect of pride or malice, as the honesty and warrantableness of mine actions.
3 For indeed I have such a tie upon me,3For thy loving kindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. by reason of thy love and goodness to me, which I alwayes with such thankful admiration and faithful dependance bear in mind, as that it awes me from offending thee in any kind, and makes me in return of love to thee to be most precise in my walking, strictly observing to answer my duty to thy word and will in all things.
4 Besides I have ever shunned occasions of evil,4I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. not so much as taking counsel of men void of grace and conscience to do as they would have me, nor will I ever consent to use or practise any crafty or hipocritical dealing, like men that live and move more by policy, than faith and honesty.
5 I have ever detested both the company and counsels of wicked men,5I have hated the congregation of evil doers: and will not sit with the wicked. nor will I be infected with them, or adviced by them to go out of the way of faith and uprightness.
6 My purpose is alwayes to tread an innocent path,6I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine Altar, O Lord. and to keep my self from doing unjust or unlawful things, for such I know, O Lord, by those many legal cleansings thou hast instituted, thou wilt onelyonly accept of to worship thee, and therefore will I be careful principally to maintain a pure conscience and conversation, and then will I in comfort and confidence of thine acceptance of me and mine offering frequent thy tabernacle, and there perform my ceremonial services of sacrifices and peace-offerings to thee.
7 That so I may let all men know that do resort thither,7That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. and declare to them both by those tokens of my thankfulness appointed in thy law for that purpose, and by Psalms of praise the wonderful things, thou shalt have wrought for me according to my trust in thee, and thy promises, which are my onelyonly stay; and thereby move them also to faithful thanksgiving.
8Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, & the place where thine honour dwelleth.8 O Lord, thou knowest my wayes have not been wayes of wickedness, but of piety and holiness. I have dearly loved and devoutly frequented thy holy ordinances in thy holy tabernacle, and have been a diligent worshipper and honourer of thee there, which thou hast ordained for that purpose, and where thou art specially present.
9Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloudy men.9 In thy goodness and mercy therefore remember me, as such an one that desires and endeavours to serve thee in holiness and righteousness, and expose me not to the wicked and bloudy hands of mine enemies, nor bring that wrathful destruction upon me thou intendest unto them, as the punishment of their iniquity and cruelty.
10In whose hands is mischief: and their right hand is full of bribes.10 Who plot and practise nothing but mischievous things, and regard neither truth, nor honesty, but abuse their authority, and pervert justice through corruption of bribes.
11But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.11 But as for me, if thou pleasest to set me in place of justice and authority, then as I have carried my self in mine affliction, so thou shalt find I will still keep a good conscience, and walk in incorrupt and sincere wayes, therefore, O Lord, think on me to deliver me out of my great affliction and misery, and in mercy make good thy gracious promises to me.
12My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord.12 The unjust and unequitable wayes that mine enemies walk, I am sure will bring them to ruine, but as for me, as I have troden the path of piety and equity, so I am sure to find the reward of grace and mercy, and to be upheld and made to stand when they shall stumble and fall. This I know shall be my portion, and for this before hand I vow praises and thanksgivings to God, even in the publick congregations of Israel.