Considering Blamelessness and Vindication

Psalm 26, Today’s New International Version

        with added commentary

¹Vindicate me, Lord,
    for I have led a blameless life;
I have trusted in the Lord
    and have not faltered.

Vindicate me through your grace alone, Lord, 

for I have not been blames, and I have faltered. . . 

but I have trusted you!

² Test me, Lord, and try me,
    examine my heart and my mind;

Because I will never understand myself until you do.

³ for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
    and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

That much I can claim—I have been mindful to the best of my ability, and learned early that there was no one to rely on but you.

⁴ I do not sit with the deceitful,
    nor do I associate with hypocrites.
⁵ I abhor the assembly of evildoers
    and refuse to sit with the wicked.

I wonder what this really means? I myself, of course, have been guilty of deceit and hypocrisy, though I have striven to avoid evil and wickedness. You yourself loved and sat with sinners. Does it mean not to assemble and sit in council to plan deceit and wickedness? 

⁶ I wash my hands in innocence,

    and go about your altar, Lord,

and thank God I know where that cleansing innocence 

is to be found—in the righteousness of your Son!

⁷ proclaiming aloud your praise
    and telling of all your wonderful deeds.

When I consider your love and care and deliverance, 

I can’t stop praising you!

⁸ Lord, I love the house where you live,
    the place where your glory dwells.

A shocking thought: I am “the house where you live”!! 

Do I love me? Really? 

Not selfishly or harshly or judgmentally, but love me, as you do?

⁹ Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
    my life with those who are bloodthirsty,
¹⁰ in whose hands are wicked schemes,
    whose right hands are full of bribes.

Please, please don’t!

¹¹ I lead a blameless life;
    redeem me and be merciful to me.

Obviously even the pre-Messianic psalmist knew the blamelessness was only to be found in forgiveness and grace, otherwise why ask for redemption? I do choose your blamelessness; I do ask for and gratefully accept your mercy and redemption.

¹² My feet stand on level ground;
    in the great congregation I will praise the Lord.

Ah! Level ground, at last! Found only at the foot of the cross, in your great mercy and love.

PRAISE THE LORD!!