Psalm 26

                Psalm 26 is a request for vindication.  The notes indicate that David wrote this Psalm, possibly during the time when his son, Absalom, was in open rebellion.  Absalom had fled from Jerusalem after killing his brother.  After several years, David finally brought Absalom back to Jerusalem, but it was another two years before Absalom actually saw King David.  The story in 2 Samuel is a little unclear as to the exact reasons for Absalom’s rebellion, but I would guess that being ignored by his father probably played a major role.

                Anyway, Absalom’s rebellion initially found widespread support.  Absalom had spent time at the city gate building loyalty from people as they came into the city.  When he felt he had enough support, he went to Hebron and pronounced himself king.  With the broad support that Absalom had, this was not something that David was going to crush easily.  It is in that context that scholars believe David wrote Psalm 26.

                The psalm begins with a seemingly bold-faced lie, “Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have led a blameless life.” (Psalm 26:1)  At first glance this seems like a joke.  This is David we’re talking about.  The man who slept with another man’s wife, then tried to cover up his deed, and finally had the man murdered.  Not exactly what I would consider a blameless life.  Of course, we know we can never be blameless; our fallen human nature makes that impossible.  So why does David claim to “have led a blameless life?” 

The notes point out that this is a request for God to wipe away his transgressions and clear his name.  David’s enemies had leveled false charges against him and David wanted the record set straight.  In verse 2 he makes this rather clear.  “Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind.”  David is clearly asking God to examine him in detail to see if any of the charges hold water.  David continues the Psalm with a quick rundown of those things that support his case for vindication.  He doesn’t hang out with liars and hypocrites (verse 4) and he hates evil, wicked men (verse 5).  David continually walks in God’s truth (verse 3) and proclaims aloud God’s praise (verse 7).  For these reasons, David presents his final request in verses 9-11:

⁹Do not take away my soul along with sinners,

my life with bloodthirsty men,

¹⁰in whose hands are wicked schemes,

whose right hands are full of bribes.

¹¹But I lead a blameless life;

redeem me and be merciful to me.

                We may not always be at our best, in fact, we can count on failing and falling short of perfection.  However, we can know and trust that we have a God who will vindicate us.  God knows our hearts and He knows if our motives were pure or not.  When we are surrounded by those who would seek to bring us down and slander us, we can turn to God for our defense.