Psalm Twenty-Six: Blameless

-
Psalm 26

Vindicate me, Lord,
    for I have led a blameless life;
I have trusted in the Lord
    and have not faltered. 
Test me, Lord, and try me,
    examine my heart and my mind;
 
for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
    and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

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.
 
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.
 
Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
    my life with those who are bloodthirsty,
 
in whose hands are wicked schemes,
    whose right hands are full of bribes.
 
I lead a blameless life;
    deliver me and be merciful to me.
  
My feet stand on level ground;
    in the great congregation I will praise the Lord.
-
How could David claim to be blameless? Had he never done anything wrong? These are the questions that came to mind as I read this Psalm. To me, David almost sounds arrogant. But, I love what my NIV Study Bible says about this.

"Though he was not perfect, David was a man of integrity. A blameless life is not a claim that he never sinned. It is rather David's claim to be genuine - sincere in his attempts to honor and serve God".

Oh that is so good! David was sincere. He was honest and real and genuine in his relationship with God. Have you ever faked your way through your faith? Have you ever raised your hands and closed your eyes on Sunday in worship, but meanwhile your mind is thinking about going home and playing video games or assembling your grocery list? I sure have! But, this Psalm is reminding me to be sincere with God. Instead of faking it until we make it, we can tell God that we are struggling to focus and ask him to put our eyes back on him. This is just a small example, but the idea is still true. We have to be honest and genuine with God in all areas of our lives. We have to set our eyes on him in genuine love and worship and not for the sake of 'appearing' blameless!

What stood out to you in this Psalm?
Did this Psalm bring any questions to your mind?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Psalm Fifty: God is Not Scared

-
Psalm 50 The Mighty One, God, the  Lord ,      speaks and summons the earth      from the rising of the sun to where it sets. From Zion,  perfect in beauty,      God shines forth.   Our God comes      and will not be silent; a fire devours  before him,      and around him a tempest  rages.   He summons the heavens above,      and the earth,  that he may judge his people:   “Gather to me this consecrated people,      who made a covenant  with me by sacrifice.”   And the heavens proclaim  his righteousness,      for he is a God of justice. “Listen, my people, and I will speak;      I will testify  against you, Israel:      I am God, your God.   I bring no charges  against you concerning your sacrifices      or ...
Read more

Psalm Eleven: God is on His Throne

-
Psalm 11 In the  Lord  I take refuge.      How then can you say to me:      “Flee  like a bird to your mountain. For look, the wicked bend their bows;      they set their arrows  against the strings to shoot from the shadows      at the upright in heart. When the foundations  are being destroyed,      what can the righteous do?” The  Lord  is in his holy temple;      the  Lord  is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth;      his eyes examine  them. The  Lord  examines the righteous,      but the wicked, those who love violence,      he hates with a passion. On the wicked he will rain      fiery coals and burning sulfur;      a scorching wind  will be their lot. For the  Lord  is righte...
Read more

Psalm Forty-Six: Refuge and Strength

-
Psalm 46 God is our refuge  and strength,      an ever-present  help  in trouble.   Therefore we will not fear,  though the earth give way      and the mountains fall  into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar  and foam      and the mountains quake  with their surging. There is a river  whose streams  make glad the city of God,      the holy place where the Most High  dwells.   God is within her,  she will not fall;      God will help  her at break of day.   Nations  are in uproar,  kingdoms  fall;      he lifts his voice,  the earth melts. The  Lord  Almighty  is with us;      the God of Jacob  is our fortress. Come and see what the  Lord  has done,      the desolations  he ha...
Read more