AN ENCOURAGING EXAMPLE
PSALM 26:1-12
PSALM 26:1-12
Introduction:
David, the sweet singer of Israel appears before us as one enduring reproach and thus he “as the type of the great Son of David, and is an encouraging example to us to carry the burden of slander to the throne of grace.” C. H. Spurgeon.
It is supposed that David wrote this appeal to heaven at the assassination of Ishbosheth, the youngest of Saul’s four sons and the only one to survive Saul, by two of his captains from the time of King Saul. Ishbosheth was recognized by Abner, commander-in-chief of Saul’s army, as being the acknowledged as successor to the throne of Saul, and ruled over all Israel, except the tribe of Judah for two years.
David was protesting his innocence of all participation in that treacherous murder. David declared that he had walked before the Lord in his integrity.
I. DAVID’S CONSTANT REVERANCE FOR GOD AND HIS GRACE, vv. 1-3.
A. The testimony of a good conscience bears him witness, Acts 23:1, “And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”
1. David, like the Apostle Paul had a conscience void of offence toward God, Acts 24:16, “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
2. The testimony of his conscience that he had lived in Godly sincerity before men, 2 Corinthians 1:12, “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you–ward.”
B. He appeals to God:
1. “Judge me,” v. 1; Psalms 7:8, “The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.”
2. There are three modes of trial mentioned here, v. 2:
a. “Examine me,” v. 2; Look at me through and through; make a minute survey; put me to the question, cross examine my evidence, Psalms 139:23, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:”
b. “Prove me,” Put me again to trial; and see if I would follow such wicked designs as my enemies impute to me, Psalms 17:3, “Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.”
c. “Try my reins,” The kidneys, the supposed seat of the desires and affections; used metaphorically for “heart,” Job 31:5-6, “If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; 6- Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.”
David is saying, “Assay me as metals are assayed in the furnace, and do this to my most secret parts, where my affections hold their court; see, O God, whether or not I love murder, and treason, and deceit.”
3. “I have walked in truth,” v. 3; Psalms 101:2, “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.”
a. Thy lovingkindness, Psalms 52:1, “Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.”
b. This was the ground of David’s hope, Psalms 42:5, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.”
II. DAVID’S DEEP, STRONG DISLIKE FOR SIN AND SINNERS, vv. 4-5.
A. The fruits of divine grace exemplified David’s life, Psalms 119:63, “I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.”
B. The psalmist had not even associated with the lovers of evil, Psalms 1:1, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”
1. “I have not sat with vain persons,” v. 4; Proverbs 12:11, “He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.”
2. Hypocrisy is double iniquity, v. 4b; Matthew 23:27, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.”
C. “A man who DOES NOT hate evil TERRIBLY, does NOT LOVE GOOD HEARTILY,” v. 5; Psalms 139:21, “Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? 22- I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.”
III. DAVID’S SINCERE LOVE FOR THE PRECEPTS OF GOD AND HIS CARE FOR THEM, vv. 6-12.
A. David, the spiritual worshipper, presents songs of gratitude instead of animal offerings, vv. 6-7; Psalms 95:2, “Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.”
B. I have loved thy house, v. 8-12; Psalms 27:4, “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.”
CONCLUSION:
“I have in my congregation,” said a venerable minister of the gospel, “a worthy, aged woman, who has for many years been so deaf as not to distinguish the loudest sound, and yet she is always one of the first in the meeting. On asking the reason of her constant attendance (as it was impossible for her to hear my voice), she answered, ‘Though I cannot hear you, I come to God’s house BECAUSE I LOVE IT, and would be found in his ways; and he gives me many a SWEET THOUGHT UPON THE TEXT when it is pointed out to me: another reason is, because there I AM IN THE BEST COMPANY, in the more IMMEDIATE PRESENCE OF GOD, and among his SAINTS, the HONOURABLE of the earth. I am NOT SATISFIED with serving God IN PRIVATE; it is MY DUTY and PRIVILEGE TO HONOUR HIM REGULARLY IN PUBLIC.”…K. Arvine.