Knowing God through His Word … Day by Day

In Psalm 25, David pleaded to God appealing to His mercy, saying: “Remember, O Lord, Your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to Your love remember me, for You are good, O Lord” (Ps. 25:7). Here in Psalm 26, David prays from a position of integrity appealing to God’s righteousness. At the end of Psalm 25, David had prayed for integrity (see Ps. 25:21). God had apparently answered that prayer because in this psalm, David is able to come to God on the basis of that integrity. Although David may sound self-righteous in this psalm, David well knows that his righteousness is a gift of God.

Note that the vindication of David’s blamelessness was not only to come through God’s “examination” of him, but also through God’s “testing” and “trying” him. We are proved through testings and trials. “In prosperity every man will seem godly, but afflictions do draw out of the heart whatsoever is there, whether it be good or bad”[Footnote #10]

David is confident that he can withstand God’s “testngs” and “trials” for two reasons: “For Your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in Your truth” (vs. 3). We can withstand anything if we remember the Lord’s love for us, and all He has done for us. After all, He gave up His Son, who suffered and died for us: can we not endure our light afflictions, and remain blameless? Then also, we can withstand anything if we “walk continually” in God’s truth. If delight in God’s word is our constant companion, we will recall His word when facing our trials and testings. This will go far in aiding us to withstand them.

This psalm can be divided into three parts: the prayer and the basis for the prayer, that is, David’s blamelessness in the situation (vss. 1-3); the evidence of David’s blamelessness (vss. 4-8); closing petitions of the prayer (vss. 9-12).

To read the commentary on the rest of Psalm 26, click here: