Psalm 26:1-12

Rachel Workman: 1 Declare me innocent, O Lord,
    for I have acted with integrity;
    I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
2 Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me.
    Test my motives and my heart.
3 For I am always aware of your unfailing love,
    and I have lived according to your truth.
4 I do not spend time with liars
    or go along with hypocrites.
5 I hate the gatherings of those who do evil,
    and I refuse to join in with the wicked.
6 I wash my hands to declare my innocence.
    I come to your altar, O Lord,
7 singing a song of thanksgiving
    and telling of all your wonders.
8 I love your sanctuary, Lord,
    the place where your glorious presence dwells.

9 Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners.
    Don’t condemn me along with murderers.
10 Their hands are dirty with evil schemes,
    and they constantly take bribes.
11 But I am not like that; I live with integrity.
    So redeem me and show me mercy.
12 Now I stand on solid ground,
    and I will publicly praise the Lord.

Wow, where to start really. I don't always act with integrity. And I have not trusted the Lord without wavering. Something that has been heavy on my heart lately is how little I trust. I trust no one, including God. I trust him for my salvation but there are other things I keep to myself that I don't fully trust him with. If I were on trial I'm sure it's the first thing God would point out to me. I know why I feel the way I do I just don't know how to fix it.

I do love verses 6-8 especially 8. I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where your glorious presence dwells. I do love your sanctuary, thank you for it. And thank you for putting up with me even though I know at times I'm very trying.

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John Burnett:  26 ^[a]Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity,  Vindicate me, O Lord, for I so seldom walk in my integrity, even though I have trusted in you without wavering.
And I have trusted in the Lord ^[b]without wavering.
² Examine me, O Lord, and try me;
Test my ^[c]mind and my heart.
³ For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes,
And I have walked in Your ^[d]truth.
⁴ I do not sit with ^[e]deceitful men,
Nor will I go with ^[f]pretenders.
⁵ I hate the assembly of evildoers,
And I will not sit with the wicked.
⁶ I shall wash my hands in innocence,
And I will go about Your altar, O Lord,
⁷ That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving
And declare all Your ^[g]wonders.  Wonders like your creation that you made in 6 days 6000 plus years ago.  

⁸ O Lord, I love the habitation of Your house
And the place ^[h]where Your glory dwells.
⁹ Do not ^[i]take my soul away along with sinners,
Nor my life with men of bloodshed,
¹⁰ In whose hands is a wicked scheme,
And whose right hand is full of bribes.
¹¹ But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;
Redeem me, and be gracious to me.  Thank you for redeeming me and showing your grace and mercy toward me.
¹² My foot stands on a level place;
In the congregations I shall bless the Lord.

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Allen Michaels:  ¹ Vindicate me, Lord,
    for I have led a blameless life;
I have trusted in the Lord
    and have not faltered.
² Test me, Lord, and try me,
    examine my heart and my mind;
³ for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
    and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

David was not claiming to be sinless as that is impossible for any human being to achieve. However, he was constantly in fellowship with God, clearing his record when he did sin, by asking God for forgiveness. We must constantly ask God to examine us, trusting Him to forgive our sins and clear our record according to His mercy.

⁴ I do not sit with the deceitful,
    nor do I associate with hypocrites.
⁵ I abhor the assembly of evildoers
    and refuse to sit with the wicked.

This is not saying that we should stay away from unbelievers. Jesus demonstrated that we must go among unbelievers in order to bring them to Christ. But, there is a big difference between being with unbelievers and being one of them. Trying to be one of them harms our witness for God and can very well send the unbeliever mixed signals. We must carefully monitor how we spend our time with these people and what effect it has on us in the long run.

⁶ I wash my hands in innocence,
    and go about your altar, Lord,
⁷ proclaiming aloud your praise
    and telling of all your wonderful deeds.

⁸ Lord, I love the house where you live,
    the place where your glory dwells.

We should worship God with this same love and reverence as David did.
⁹ Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
    my life with those who are bloodthirsty,
¹⁰ in whose hands are wicked schemes,
    whose right hands are full of bribes.
¹¹ I lead a blameless life;
    deliver me and be merciful to me.

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

How many times do we complain about our problems to anybody who will listen, only to turn around and praise God in private? We really should be praising God in public and taking our problems to Him in private.