Psalm 26: A Prayer Brimming With Confidence
By: Edward Cortez
Psalm 26 is a prayer of a person who has experienced the freedom and the joy that emanate from God’s total forgiveness. It is a prayer brimming with confidence not in one’s ability to be good, but in God’s ability to forgive.
“Vindicate me, Lord,” David implores of God, “for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered” (verse 1). Some may say that it is rather condescending to pray a prayer like that for after all no one is entirely blameless. But then David expresses that it is through God’s love and His faithfulness and not his that give him such confidence: “for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness” (verse 3).
Our basis in claiming righteousness does not rest on our ability to achieve it but rather on God’s ability to impart it through faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross. Romans 3:22 declares, “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe…”
Far from being perfect, but when we are living in Christ and His life is flowing through us there is now a feeling of disinclination toward anything that is ungodly. Notice David’s change of character: “I do not sit with the deceitful, nor do I associate with hypocrites. I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked” (verses 4 and 5).
After David has experienced God’s deliverance, now his heart is tuned to worship, “I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, Lord, proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds. Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells” (verses 6 to 8).
Psalm 26 teaches us what a truly converted person to the Lord is like. First, there is brimming confidence in the forgiveness of sin that God grants through faith in God’s only Son, Jesus. Second, there is a distinct aversion to sin and wickedness. And third, the person is drawn to worship God and wants to make Him known.
