Psalm 26

1 Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
5 I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:
7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
9 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
10 In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
12 My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.

Key Verse:
9 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:

Key Outline:
1. v. 1 Topic: Walking and trusting in the Lord
v. 2-11 Ways David Walked
v. 12 The place of blessing

Key Observation:
Though not as poetical, this psalm is very similar to Psalm 1.

Memory Verse:
12 My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.

Devotion:
McGee, in his commentary on this psalm, tells a cute story of a boy named Willie.

“Willie, where are you?” The boy replied, I am in the pantry.” She asked what are you doing?” He said, “I am fighting temptation.” That was not the place for Willie to fight temptation!
The illustration McGee gives reminds us of our times when we are not in the right place to fight temptation. The psalm says: “I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.” In the last psalm I read of David confessing his sin: “Remember not the sins of my youth.” In this psalm David tells of his desire to remain pure, to follow his God “in the even places” and “to bless the Lord in his congregations”.

In the New Testament I learn that sanctification is a dual process. God separates us for all eternity on the basis of grace, but I am also supposed to sanctify or separate myself. David knew this, and told us of the importance of separating ourselves. D’Souza’s book, What’s So Great About Christianity, credits Christianity with being a major force in the American Revolution. One proof he offers is a quote from John Adams:

What do we mean by the American Revolution? The war? That was no part of the Revolution; it was only an effect and consequence of it. The Revolution was in the minds of the people. . .a change in their religious sentiments.

D’Souza goes on to comment about the lifestyle of his fellow Californians:

The distinguishing characteristic of these people is that they live as if God did not exist. God makes no difference in their lives. This is “practical atheism.” We all know people like this. Some of us hardly know anyone not like this.”

I think his words are especially appropriate for this psalm. As I read his words I thought about my fellow Californian’s lifestyles. Most of the people I know are similar to what D’Souza describes. I wonder what it will take to wake them up. Some of my neighbors profess Christianity, but their lifestyles do not show the separation David is talking about in this psalm. Separate yourselves unto your God! Who knows what grand things He may yet do through Christian influence. Even so, my Hope is in His Coming.