Bible Commentary

Psalms 26:1-12

Matthew Henry on Psalms 26:1-12

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

David here, by the Spirit of prophecy, speaks of himself as a type of Christ, of whom what he here says of his spotless innocence was fully and eminently true, and of Christ only, and to Him we may apply it.

We are complete in him. The man that walks in his integrity, yet trusting wholly in the grace of God, is in a state of acceptance, according to the covenant of which Jesus was the Mediator, in virtue of his spotless obedience even unto death.

This man desires to have his inmost soul searched and proved by the Lord. He is aware of the deceitfulness of his own heart; he desires to detect and mortify every sin; and he longs to be satisfied of his being a true believer, and to practise the holy commands of God.

Great care to avoid bad company, is both a good evidence of our integrity, and a good means to keep us in it. Hypocrites and dissemblers may be found attending on God's ordinances; but it is a good sign of sincerity, if we attend upon them, as the psalmist here tells us he did, in the exercise of repentance and conscientious obedience.

He feels his ground firm under him; and, as he delights in blessing the Lord with his congregations on earth, he trusts that shortly he shall join the great assembly in heaven, in singing praises to God and to the Lamb for evermore.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 26:1-12EXPOSITION DAVID, about to sacrifice at God's altar, protests his integrity, but still prays for God's protection (Psalms 26:9) and for his redeeming mercy (Psalms 26:11). The psalm has all the notes of David's style, i…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 26:1Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity. It seems to Christians a bold act to call on God for judgment, but the saints of the earlier dispensation, having, perhaps, a less keen sense of human imperfection,…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 26:1-12The oppressed righteous man. It is impossible to say on what occasion the psalm was composed, or from what kind of trouble it prays to be delivered. The theme is—Only he who can say with truth, "I have walked in integri…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 26:1-12Assailed integrity's final appeal £ It seems evident that this psalm was written by some Old Testament saint who was surrounded by ungodly men, by whom he was assailed, reproached, and slandered. From them he appeals to…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 26:1-12Integrity. All through the Scriptures "integrity" is commended. It is a characteristic of the saints. Whatever else they are, they must be men of integrity. This does not mean that they are morally perfect, or that they…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 26:2Faith's bold request. "Examine me," etc. A very bold prayer. The image is taken from the testing and purifying of gold in the furnace, to which the word rendered "try" properly applies. It is as if the gold begged to be…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 26:2Examine me, O Lord, and prove me. He desires to be examined and proved—tested, as a metal is tested (comp. Psalms 17:3)—that his sincerity may fully appear. Try my reins and my heart; i.e. my emotional and my intellectu…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 26:3For thy loving-kindness is before mine eyes. The psalmist now enters upon an enumeration of the points of conduct on which his confidence in his integrity rests. They are six—three positive and three negative. First of…Joseph S. Exell and contributors