DAWN

     Explanation: In Psalm 26 David expresses his desire to be approved by the Lord and to be delivered from the power of the wicked. Today's painting illustrates a person of goodness posed in a trusting gesture. These two qualities are characteristics of David in the Psalm below.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Psalm 1. Psalm 25. 2 Samuel 15. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). Psalm 26 - #1. Psalm 26 - #2. Psalm 26 - #3. ]

     David begins with a request to the LORD that he be judged in accord with his integrity and his trust in the LORD. He expresses confidence that he will not slide, meaning that he will be able to stand before the LORD. He asks the LORD to examine him, to test him, to search his kidneys and his heart -- in other words, to examine him thoroughly within. He states that he has always kept the LORD's lovingkindness in view, and has walked in the LORD's truth (i.e., the word of God). Moreover he has not sat with vain persons, nor with dissemblers (i.e., with desolators nor deceivers). Instead, he has hated the assembly of evil doers; and he will not sit with the wicked. He washes his hands in innocence and worships and sacrifice at the altar of the LORD (1-7). He has loved the house of the LORD (the Tabernacle) where God's honor dwells. Therefore, David asks the LORD not to give him his lot with sinners and with bloody men who are filled with mischief and bribes. David promises to walk in integrity, so he asks the LORD to redeem him and be merciful to him. And, as he said at the beginning of the Psalm, his foot will stand in an even place. And in the congregation of God's people he will bless the LORD (8-12).

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.

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]