A Prayer for Divine Scrutiny and Redemption
A Psalm of David.
“Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the Lord; I shall not slip. Examine me, O Lord, and prove me[test me]; try my mind and my heart. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth.
I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, nor will I go in with hypocrites. I have hated the assembly of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked.
I will wash my hands in innocence; so I will go about Your altar, O Lord, that I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Your wondrous works. Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells[the tabernacle of your glory].
Do not gather my soul with sinners, [Do not take away my soul with sinners] nor my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands is a sinister scheme, and whose right hand is full of bribes.
But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; redeem me and be merciful to me. My foot stands in an even place; in the congregations I will bless the Lord.”
““Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the Lord; I shall not slip. Examine me, O Lord, and prove me[test me]; try my mind and my heart. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth.” David has been pushed to the wall and he is fed up! David has done everything right, but he’s still under attack. No matter how hard David tries to defend himself, there’s always somebody out there trying to betray him. Finally, David is appealing to God for justification.
“I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, nor will I go in with hypocrites. I have hated the assembly of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked.” David has done everything he can to avoid bad company.
“I will wash my hands in innocence; so I will go about Your altar, O Lord, that I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Your wondrous works. Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells[the tabernacle of your glory].” David is practically shouting to God, “Hey! Have you been paying attention? I’ve done everything I can to remain righteous.”
“Do not gather my soul with sinners, [Do not take away my soul with sinners] nor my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands is a sinister scheme, and whose right hand is full of bribes.” David is fully aware that he is only human and therefore sinful; this is why David is begging God to overlook his failings.
“But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; redeem me and be merciful to me. My foot stands in an even place; in the congregations I will bless the Lord.” David knows that even when he walks in integrity, he still needs God to keep his feet from slipping, to redeem him and to be merciful to him.
APPLICATION: These early psalms of David’s are very comforting for any noble person who has ever been persecuted for doing the right thing. But is David indulging in a fit of self-righteousness? Can we really speak to God as David is doing in this psalm? And do we dare ask God to examine us as David has done?
First, let’s realize that God already knows all about us-our trials, our triumphs, our successes, and our failings. God knows all our thoughts, both good and bad. If not for God’s mercy, none of us would exist even for a millisecond, for God is righteous and holy and we are not. It is precisely because of God’s mercy and grace that David dares to say the things he does in this psalm. What is wonderful about the psalms is that we see David’s intimate relationship with God, a relationship so close that David is willing to expose himself to God, warts and all.
God doesn’t play favorites. If we will open our hearts to God as David has done, God will meet with us and help us, delivering us from ourselves and changing us into His Image. The Creator and Ruler of the Universe is so full of love and charity that He stoops to meet with us, sinful creatures though we are. God is continually doing miracles, but these miracles of love and grace are among the biggest in the universe. Let us praise Him!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, we praise You for Your magnificent charity that moves You to meet with us. We thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins, so that his blood sacrifice covers all our unrighteousness. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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