Click here to read PSALM 26 in poetic form.
Background
This Psalm again shows the Messiah’s open and loving heart toward God. It begins with “do me justice” and “examine me” as he walks in his “integrity.” Then it shows how the Messiah walks in his integrity (verses 3-11). Therefore, the Messiah stands steadfast and steady and blesses the Lord in “the great congregation.”
Structure
(Verses 1,2) Messiah opens his heart to God concerning his walk of integrity
(Verses 3-11) Messiah’s walk of integrity
(Verses 11,12) Messiah opens his heart to God concerning his walk of integrity
Key Scriptures
Verse 1—“I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide.” Jesus Christ always trusted his heavenly Father, and he was never shaken, wavering, or sliding.
Verse 2—“Examine me, O Lord, and prove me.” These Hebrew words have great meaning. “Examine” is to prove, as when precious metals are refined. “Prove” also means to assay, as with metals. The “proving” is never tempting with evil, for the true God can never do that (James 1:12,13). God does “chasten” those He loves (Hebrews 12:5-11), but this is only as a loving Father Who brings about peace and righteousness in our lives. He never uses “evil” to instruct us, for He “is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (I John 1:5).
Verse 2—“try my reins and my heart.” These Hebrew words also have great significance relating to the human body. The “reins” are the Hebrew word for “kidneys,” and they work in the body along with the “heart.” Both are involved in getting purified blood to where each cell can receive life-giving oxygen, remove impurities, and transfer waste out of the body. The “heart” is the pump, and the “reins” are the filter. The life of the flesh is in the blood (Leviticus 17:11). Just as the body is kept clean and nourished by the kidneys and heart, so our minds are purified and made alive by the truth of God’s Word. That is why the next verse in this Psalm says that the Messiah kept God’s loving reproof before his eyes, and walked in God’s “truth.” Jesus Christ said that God’s Word is truth (John 17:17).
Verse 6—“ I will wash mine hands in innocency.” Only the Messiah could truly say this (Hebrews 4:15; Matthew 27:4). See “The Father Sent His Son so We Can Have Holy Spirit, Part 2” for further details.
Verse 11—“ I will walk in mine integrity.” These are the same Hebrew words as in verse 1, where the Messiah says “I have walked in mine integrity.” The word “integrity” means innocence. Jesus Christ walked innocently before the Father each day, and God was able to rescue (“redeem”) him in His mercy.
Verse 12—“in the congregations will I bless the Lord.” The word for “congregation” is plural, and in Hebrew can mean “the great congregation, or assembly.” This expression is only used here and Psalm 68:26, a Psalm that declares of the Messiah “Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men” (verse 18). Jesus Christ fulfilled this verse at his ascension and later gave gifts to the church (Ephesians 4:8-12). These ministers are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers who serve in the “great assembly” of today—the church, the body of Christ.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
