NASB

The LORD an Abundant Helper.

Note: Psalms 146-150 all begin and end with the word “Hallelujah” which is translated “Praise the Lord.” This set of psalms are called the Third Hallel (see also Psalms 113-118 and Psalm 136).




146:1 Praise [express adoration or approval] the LORD [Hallelujah]!

Praise [to honor, commend] the LORD [for who He is and what He has done], O my soul [cf. Psalm 103:1-2]!



146:2 I will praise [a joyful recounting of all that God has done for us] the LORD while I live [we have only our generation in which to praise God and serve His purpose (Acts 13:36); we should praise God all the time (Ps. 34:1)];

I will sing [one way in which to praise God] praises to my God while I have my being.

Note: Ways in which to praise God include…

• with singing: Ps. 149:1

• with dancing: Ps. 149:3

• with musical instruments: Ps. 150:3

• with our words: Ps. 35:28

• with our actions: Col. 3:17

• with our uprightness: Ps. 119:7

• with all our hearts: Ps. 86:

146:3 Do not trust [rely on] in princes [nobles],

[or] In mortal man [any human being], in whom there is no salvation [political leaders and mortal men are not qualified to be saviors because they also are in need of salvation; cf. Acts 4:11-12].



146:4 His spirit departs, he returns to the earth [cf. Psalm 39:4-5; Psalm 103:15-16; James 4:14; no matter how lofty or lowly a man may be, all will return to dust; both the millionaire and the pauper will soon be consigned to a few feet of dirt, a place that after a period of time may no longer acknowledge them];

In that very day his thoughts [purposes, plans, ambitions, designs, projects] perish [cf. James 4:14].



146:5 How blessed is he whose help is the God [not transient men as in verse 3] of Jacob [God protected and defended Jacob in his travels; possibly a reference to Israel (the Jewish people)],

Whose hope [earnest longing and looking for or waiting for] is in the LORD [from Hebrew YHWH; used because of the practice among the Israelites to not pronounce or spell out the name of God] his God;



146:6 Who made heaven and earth [sets God apart from all other alleged gods],

The sea and all that is in them;

Who keeps faith forever [God is always true to His promises];



146:7 Who executes justice for the oppressed [those most in need of justice];

Who gives food to the hungry [those most in need of sustenance].

The LORD sets the prisoners [those most in need of liberty] free.



146:8 The LORD opens the eyes of the blind [those most in need of sight];

The LORD raises up those who are bowed down [those most in need of comfort; cf. Matt. 11:28];

The LORD loves the righteous [those who obey His law and do what is right; not the self-righteous];



146:9 The LORD protects the strangers [those most in need of friends];

He supports the fatherless and the widow [those most in need of security; cf. Ps. 68:5; the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow are mentioned in the OT as objects of God’s care];

But He thwarts [to impede a course of action or overturn an evil scheme] the way of the wicked [those who are out of touch with God].



146:10 The LORD will reign forever [cf. Ps. 10:16; kings and princes rule for a season but the Lord reigns forever],

Thy God, O Zion [term occurs 150 times in the Bible; synonymous with city of God; Jerusalem; also known as the city of David], to all generations.

Praise the LORD!

NASB

Thanksgiving for the LORD’S Favor.
A Psalm of David.


138:1 I will give Thee thanks [David expressed gratitude and praise even in the worst of times] with all [total devotion; withholding nothing] my heart [cf. Ps. 9:1];

I will sing praises to Thee before the gods [God is above all other objects of worship and all other alleged gods as well as earthly rulers; cf. Ps. 119:46 re kings and great men; cf. “kings” in verse 4].

138:2 I will bow down [David was bold enough to sing God’s praises before great men (138:1) yet humble enough to bow down before his great God] toward Thy holy temple [had not yet been built although it was a vision in David’s heart; cf. Ps. 5:7],

And give thanks to Thy name for Thy lovingkindness [grace] and Thy truth [cf. Proverbs 3:3-4 and John 1:14 re “grace and truth”];

For Thou hast magnified Thy word according to all Thy name.

138:3 On the day [of trouble; of need] I called [the natural response of a child in danger or in need] Thou didst answer me [the most reassuring thing for someone in distress];

Thou didst make me bold [the result of knowing that God is with you] with strength in my soul.

138:4 All the kings of the earth will [the day is coming; cf. Phil. 2:9-11] give thanks to Thee, O LORD,
When they have heard the words of Thy mouth.

138:5 And they will sing of the ways [cf. Ps. 103:7] of the LORD.
For great is the glory of the LORD.

138:6 For though the LORD is exalted [God’s majesty is unsurpassed in its highness],

Yet He regards the lowly [God’s majesty is unsurpassed in its regard for the lowly; God will bend low to rescue those in need, comfort those suffering afflictions, and make provision for the poor; “There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.” (Corrie Ten Boom)];

But the haughty [the proud and boastful and those who are critical of God and His purposes; pride keeps people focused on themselves and distracts them from seeking God; cf. James 4:6] He knows from afar [afar is not a good place to be].

138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble [sooner for later every person will find themselves in the midst of trouble], Thou wilt revive me;

Thou wilt stretch forth Thy hand [an expression that is synonymous with judgment] against the wrath of my enemies,

And Thy right hand [the pinnacle of strength and ability] will save me.

138:8 The LORD will accomplish [using trials and tribulations as tools to accomplish His purpose] what concerns me [I am the object of God’s love and care];

Thy lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting;

Do not forsake the works of Thy hands [God will not forsake His work; cf. Phil. 1:6].

NASB

Security of Those Who Trust in the LORD, and Insecurity of the Wicked.
A Psalm of David.

Note: This psalm is in the form of an acrostic with every other line beginning with the succeeding letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

37:1 [cf. Prov. 24:19] Do not fret [worry, anxiety, distress; cf. 37:9; do not get heated] because of evildoers [cause anxiety and create fear],
Be not envious [jealousy is not a good character trait; one way to combat jealousy is to remember the end of the wicked (read Ps. 73:3, 16-17)] toward wrongdoers.

37:2 For they will [if they continue on the same course in defiance of God] wither [the wicked arrogantly act with impunity but only for a season; see mark 8:36] quickly [evil has no staying power and will not win the day] like the grass,

And fade [the clock is ticking on both the wicked and the righteous] like the green herb.



37:3 Trust [even when it seem illogical to do so] in the LORD [trust moves your attention from the problem to the problem solver], and do good [in general and more specifically to those who hate you (Prov. 25:21 and Lk. 6:27)];

Dwell [abide] in the land [the land of promise] and cultivate faithfulness.



37:4 Delight [the wicked delight in their riches, the righteous should take great pleasure in the Lord; cf. Acts 16:25-34 re Paul and Silas singing in prison] yourself in the LORD [we should delight in the Lord rather than in our circumstances];

And He will give [an expression of kindness and favor] you the desires of your heart [the desires of our heart should align with the desires of God’s heart; the closer we draw to God the more our own desires begin to change].



37:5 Commit [(Hebrew) “to roll”; cf. 1 Peter 5:7; roll your heavy burden upon the Lord] your way [the course and cares of life] to the LORD,

Trust also in Him, and He will do it.



37:6 And He will bring forth [for all the world to see] your righteousness as the light [the Lord will vindicate the righteous; the vindication of the righteous will be apparent for all to see],

And your judgment [or righteousness] as the noonday.



37:7 Rest [cf. Ps. 3:5 re David able to sleep in the worst of times] in the LORD [he is the context in which we can rest] and wait [perhaps the hardest command to obey] patiently for Him [cf. Heb. 4:16 re God gives us in-the-nick-of-time kind of help];

Do not fret [to worry or to become anxious] because of him who prospers in his way [because in the end he will lose what matters most — his own soul],

Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes [these individuals always leave fear and destruction in their wake].



37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;

Do not fret [cf. 37:1], it leads only to evildoing.



37:9 For evildoers will be cut off [read Ps. 73:3, 16-17 re the end of the wicked],

But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.



37:10 Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more [the success of the wicked is temporary];

And you will look carefully for his place, and he will not be there [cf. Ps. 1:6 and Ps. 103:15-16].



37:11 But the humble [“…the wicked, who have taken more than their fair share, will be destroyed in the end, leaving the meek in sole possession.” (Derek Kidner)] will inherit the land [cf. Matt. 5:5],

And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity [an indication of God’s favor].



37:12 The wicked [the wicked plot evil against the righteous] plots against the righteous [the righteous hope for the redemption of the wicked],

And gnashes at him with his teeth [accentuates the fanatical hatred that the wicked have for the righteous].



37:13 The Lord laughs [cf. Ps. 2:4] at him;

For He sees his day [a day of accounting; no one sins with impunity] is coming [“The evil man does not see how close his destruction is upon his heels…” (CH Spurgeon)].



37:14 The wicked have drawn [a move from mere threats to actual violence] the sword and bent their bow,

To cast down the afflicted and the needy [the wicked target the vulnerable],

To slay those who are upright in conduct [the wicked target the righteous].



37:15 Their sword will enter their own heart [the wicked will be destroyed by their own weapons; see Esther 7:10 re: Haman hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai],

And their bows will be broken [rendering them impotent].



37:16 [cf. Prov. 28:6] Better is the little of the righteous [“I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold…”]

Than the abundance [abundance apart from Christ is poverty] of many wicked.



37:17 For the arms [used to inflict harm] of the wicked will be broken [cf. Ps. 3:7];

But the LORD sustains [upholds with His mighty arms] the righteous [those who trust in Him and seek refuge in Him].



37:18 The LORD knows the days of the blameless [“I am immortal until God’s work for me to do is done. The Lord reigns.” (Henry Martyn)];

And their inheritance will be forever.



37:19 They will not be ashamed [because they have not acted shamefully] in the time of evil;

And in the days of famine they will have [because of the goodness of God] abundance.



37:20 But the wicked will perish [read Prov. 14:12];

And the enemies of the LORD will be like the glory of the pastures [“…the wicked in their pride, beauty, and wealth, shall be like the meadow covered with grass and flowers, soon to be cut down by the scythe the mower, or by the frosts of winter.” (Barnes)],

They [and all that there was of them] vanish—like smoke they vanish [utterly and completely and without a trace] away.



37:21 The wicked borrows [takes on debt] and does not pay back [because he is reckless or incapable of paying his obligations],

But the righteous is gracious and gives [out of abundance].



37:22 For those blessed [to whom the Lord shows favor] by Him will inherit the land;

But those cursed by Him will be cut off [a terrible condition].



37:23 The steps [course of life] of a man are established [ordered, directed, under divine guidance] by the LORD;

And He delights [succeeds and prospers] in his way.



37:24 When he falls [falling into setbacks or disappointments or reverses], he shall not be hurled headlong [knocked down but not knocked out];

Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand [he is upheld by the Lord’s power and not his own].



37:25 [this verse is used in the Jewish prayer after meals] I have been young, and now I am old [have the benefit of lessons learned over the course of a long life];

Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken [by God or by those whom God would use to supply his need],

Or his descendants begging bread [a general truth, although a child who is undisciplined or idle may experience want].



37:26 All day long [an indication that this is his character; he is known by his kindness] he is gracious and lends [the righteous know how to use the abundance God has blessed them with];

And his descendants are a blessing [both blessed and a blessing].



37:27 Depart from evil [create distance from evil], and do good [close the distance with good],

So you will abide [dwell in the land and then afterwards in heaven] forever.



37:28 For the LORD loves justice [that which is right],

And does not forsake His godly ones [cf. Heb. 13:5];

They are preserved [God watches over the godly] forever;

But [contrast the end of the wicked] the descendants of the wicked will be cut off [cf. Ps. 1:67].



37:29 The righteous will inherit [as God’s children, they are heirs to] the land,

And dwell in it forever.



37:30 The mouth of the righteous utters [cf. Eph. 4:29; a person’s tongue is an indicator of their character] wisdom [it is characteristic of the righteous to speak wisdom rather than folly],

And his tongue speaks [“What lies in the well of the heart comes up in the bucket of speech.” / cf. Matt. 12:34-35] justice [of things that are just and righteous].



37:31 The law of his God is in his heart [cf. Ps. 1:2 and 119:11,20];

His steps [his actions] do not [not that he never slips but that for the righteous failure is never final] slip [going astray; because he chooses to stay on the right path; cf. Prov. 13:13].



37:32 The wicked spies [to look for an opportunity to destroy or kill him; a characteristic of the wicked is seeking to harm the righteous] upon the righteous,

And seeks to kill [actual violence; to destroy his reputation] him.



37:33 The LORD [cf. 2 Peter 2:9] will not leave him in his hand [in the grip of the power and rage of the wicked],

Or let him [the righteous] be condemned [ultimately heaven will set all matters right] when he is judged [in the final judgment].



37:34 Wait [this is an act of faith] for the LORD, and keep His way [walk in His path and stay on His path; Prov. 18:21; Ps. 119:67],

And He will exalt you to inherit the land;

When the wicked are cut off, you will see it [the ruin of the wicked].



37:35 I have seen a violent, wicked man

Spreading [in every direction] himself like a luxuriant [flourishing] tree in [rooted in] its native soil [earthly things].



37:36 Then he passed away [both the ungodly and godly pass away and leave their respective legacies], and lo, he was no more [“Men who were in everybody’s mouths but yesterday are forgotten tomorrow, for only virtue is immortal.” (CH Spurgeon)];

I sought for him, but he could not be found [cf. Ps. 103:15-16].



37:37 Mark [keep your eye on; observe; take notice of] the blameless man, and behold the upright [pious];

For the man of peace will have a posterity.



37:38 But transgressors will be altogether [ultimately] destroyed [a different end than the righteous];

The posterity of the wicked will be cut off [from hope and happiness forever].



37:39 But the salvation [temporal, spiritual, eternal] of the righteous is from [the source] the LORD [and not from themselves];

He is their strength in time of trouble.



37:40 And the LORD helps them, and [because they trust in Him] delivers them [out of their distresses and troubles];

He delivers [sometimes sooner and sometimes later] them from the wicked [those intent on doing them harm], and saves [delivers] them,

Because they take refuge in Him [the safest place to be in times of trouble and at all times].

NASB

Prayer for Rescue from Enemies.
A Psalm of David.


Note: This is an imprecatory psalm in which David calls down calamity and destruction on his enemies. The imprecatory psalms express a deep longing for justice from the viewpoint of the one who is oppressed.

The psalm may have found its inspiration in or as a result of the days in which Saul pursued David with the intent to kill him.


35:1 Contend, O LORD [David sought help from the Lord], with those [see vs. 10 for a description of those who contended against David] who contend with me;

Fight against those who fight against me [David regarded these individuals as more than his own enemies, he regarded them as enemies of God and those committed to frustrating God’s purposes].

35:2 Take hold of buckler [a smaller portable shield] and shield [a larger defensive piece of armor carried by straps and worn on the arm],

And rise up for my help.

35:3 Draw [an action signaling one is ready to engage in battle] also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those [who approach carrying the same weapons] who pursue [with intent to harm] me;

Say [reassure] to my soul [anxious and fearful and in need of reassurance], “I am your salvation.”

35:4 Let those be ashamed and dishonored [as a result of God’s intervention] who seek my life [the intent of David’s enemies];

Let those be turned back and humiliated [as a result of coming face to face with God’s spears and battle-axe] who devise evil against me [the intent of David’s enemies].

35:5 Let them be like chaff [that which is rootless, fruitless, and useless,] before the wind,
With the angel of the LORD [read Ps. 103:20-21 re the role of angels; “…the angel of the Lord (cf. Ps. 34:7 and Ex. 23:20-22) is either our salvation or our doom…” (Derek Kinder)] driving them on.

35:6 Let their way be dark [disorienting] and slippery [unstable],

With the angel of the LORD pursuing them.

35:7 For without cause [the absence of cause makes the actions of the enemy feel even more sinister] they hid [with malicious intent] their net [it takes time to make a net] for me;
Without cause [“…touches the nerve of David’s pain…” (Derek Kinder); refers to the pain of injustice] they dug a pit [it takes time to dig a pit; with the intent to entrap] for my soul.

35:8 Let destruction [exactly what David’s enemies wished for him] come upon him unawares [when least expected];

And let the net which he hid catch himself [cf. the end of Haman in Esther 7:10];
Into that very destruction let him fall.

35:9 And [after the Lord’s deliverance] my soul shall rejoice [should be the natural response of those saved from the pit] in the LORD;

It shall exult [overflowing jubilation] in His salvation.

35:10 All my bones [a reference to his entire being; cf. Ps. 34:20] will say, “LORD, who is like Thee,

Who delivers the afflicted [those incapable of securing their own salvation from their foes] from him who is too strong for him,

And the afflicted and the needy [those in need of a champion] from him who robs him?”

35:11 Malicious witnesses [as in a court room] rise up;

They ask [with evil intent] me of things that I do not know.

35:12 They repay me evil for good [as with Christ who did so much good and was repaid with evil by those with evil intent],

To the bereavement of my soul [it is hard to understand why someone would repay good with evil].

35:13 But [in stark contrast] as for me [David had expressed the same attitude as the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37], when they [“…men who were not close friends but had been treated as though they were…” (Derek Kidner)] were sick, my clothing was sackcloth [David had expressed genuine concern at a time when those now pursuing him had been in a low place];

I humbled my soul with fasting [shows a profound depth of concern for the welfare of those who were in pain]; And my prayer kept returning to my bosom [“…seems more likely to mean that the prayer would return to him either unanswered or as a blessing, as in Matthew 10:13.” (Derek Kidner)].

35:14 I went about as though it were my friend or brother [even greater motivation to pray for the welfare of another];

I bowed down mourning [genuine concern], as one who sorrows for a mother.

35:15 But at my stumbling [calamity] they rejoiced [“How glad are the wicked to see a good man limp!” (CH Spurgeon) / “There cannot be a greater evidence of a wicked heart than for a man to be merry because others are in misery.” (Thomas Brooks) / cf. Prov. 17:5], and gathered themselves together;

The smiters [ruffians] whom I did not know gathered together [“How unanimous are the powers of evil…” CH Spurgeon] against me [one who stands apart from evil],
They slandered [mauled the reputation of a good man like a pack of angry dogs] me without ceasing [evil will not rest until it has destroyed the object of its hate].

35:16 Like godless jesters [those who make the godly the subject of their hateful rhetoric] at a feast,

They gnashed at me with their teeth [“…reveals the fury that motivated the mockery, a fury which Stephen was to experience at his martyrdom (Acts 7:54).” (Derek Kidner].

35:17 Lord, how long wilt Thou look on [David has made his case and awaits the Lord’s answer]?

Rescue [the most precious gift for one who is in danger] my soul from their ravages,
My only life from the lions.

35:18 I will give Thee thanks in the great congregation [cf. Ps. 107:2];

I will praise [“Most men publish their griefs; good men should proclaim their mercies.” (CH Spurgeon)] Thee among a mighty throng [cf. Ps. 22:22].

35:19 Do not let those who are wrongfully my enemies rejoice over me;

Neither let those who hate me without cause [hatred without cause is a basic response of evil towards good] wink maliciously.

35:20 For they [more than one person involved in the conspiracy] do not speak peace,

But they devise deceitful words [the Lord hates a lying tongue, wicked schemes, false witnesses (Prov. 16:16-19)] against those who are quiet in the land.

35:21 And they opened their mouth wide against me;

They said, “Aha, aha, our eyes have seen it! [“Malice has but one eye; it is blind to all virtue in its enemy.” (CH Spurgeon)]”

35:22 Thou hast seen it [we can never do anything behind God’s back; everything we do is in the sight of the Lord; David acknowledged that God had seen the injustice against him], O LORD, do not keep silent [David expected God to act upon what He had seen];

O Lord, do not be far [when we are in distress distance from God matters; distance from God will create distress; peace and security are found in the shadow of His wings; Ps. 63:7] from me [a longing for reassurance that he was not alone in the battle].

35:23 Stir up Thyself [a plea for God to take action on David’s behalf], and awake to my right,
And to my cause, my God and my Lord.

35:24 Judge me [vindicate me], O LORD my God, according to Thy [not “my”] righteousness;
And do not let them rejoice over me [cf. Prov. 24:17 / Obadiah 1:12].

35:25 Do not let them say in their heart, “Aha, our desire!”

Do not let them say, “We have swallowed him up! [this was the malicious intent of those who pursued David — to swallow him up, to destroy him]”

35:26 Let those be ashamed and humiliated [as a result of seeing that God delivered the object of their hate] altogether who rejoice at my distress;

Let those be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves over me.

35:27 Let them [an indication that others were aware of the injustice that David was experiencing and also longed for his vindication] shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication;

And let them say continually, “The LORD be magnified,
Who delights in the prosperity [not the ruin; Jer. 29:11] of His servant.”

35:28 And my tongue shall declare [an expression of gratitude] Thy righteousness

And Thy praise all day long [Ps. 145:3-4].

NASB

A Prayer for Help, and Praise for Its Answer

A Psalm of David

A. Invocation

28:1 To You, Lord [the more we love the Lord the more earnestly we will seek Him and the more we will hate being away from Him], I call [an expression of dependence; the creature crying out to the Creator; the earnestness of our cry can be measured by the severity of the need or threat];
My rock [God is strong], do not be deaf to me,
For if You are silent to me [the worst case scenario],
I will become like those who go down to the pit [“What a dreadful case should we be in if the Lord should become forever silent to our prayers!” CH Spurgeon].

28:2 Hear [the psalmist longed to know that God would hear and respond to his cry] the sound of my pleadings [the psalmist understood that his hope was dependent on God hearing and responding to his cries] when I cry to You [To whom do we cry for help and when?] for help,
When I raise my hands [like a beggar, David raised empty hands in eager expectation] toward Your holy sanctuary [the place that represented the presence of God].

Note: Things that hinder our prayers and may cause God to not hear us.
• Unconfessed sin | Psalm 66:18-19; Prov. 28:9
• Regarding idols in our heart | Ezekiel 14:7-8
• Refusing to forgive others | Mark 11:25; Matthew 5:23-24
• Ignoring the cries of the poor for help | Proverbs 21:13
• Asking amiss | James 4:3; Matthew 6:7
• Asking in unbelief | James 1:6-8; Matthew 21:22
• Clinging to disobedience | Zechariah 7:11-13
• Family (marital) discord | 1 Peter 3:7
• Not asking | James 4:2

B. Imprecation

28:3 Do not drag me away with the wicked [the fate of the wicked is different than that of the righteous (cf. Ps. 1:5-6)]
And with those who practice injustice [see Prov. 6:16-19 re: the things that God hates],
Who speak peace [deceptively] with their neighbors,
While evil is in their hearts.

28:4 Give back to them [God hates and must punish sin] according to their work and according to the evil of their practices [cf. Col. 3:25];
Give back to them according to the work of their hands;
Repay them what is due them.

28:5 Because they do not regard the works of the Lord
Nor the deeds of His hands,
He will tear them down and not build them up.

C. Intercession and Praise

28:6 [David’s prayer turned to praise] Blessed be the Lord [David again turned his attention to God],
Because He has heard the sound of my pleading.

28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield [cf. Ps. 3:3; a defensive piece of equipment; the Lord is an impenetrable shield];
My heart trusts in Him, and [trusting God precedes help] I am helped;
Therefore my heart triumphs,
And with my song [our gratitude for the kindness of the Lord to us should ascend to heaven in our songs of praise] I shall thank Him [the response of one who is grateful].

28:8 The Lord is their strength,
And He is a refuge [a place of safety from threats and dangers] of salvation to His anointed.

28:9 Save Your people and bless Your inheritance;
Be their shepherd also, and carry [as a shepherd carries a lamb] them forever.

NASB

A Psalm of David

David’s Demand

26:1 Vindicate me [suggests David had been falsely accused of some wrong; this is not a plea for forgiveness but a demand for exoneration or a declaration of innocence], Lord [David took his complaint to the highest court; unlike an earthly judge, God is acquainted with all of the facts of the case], for I have walked [in principle and practice] in my integrity [this is neither a boast nor a claim to moral perfection but rather a statement that David sought to walk in a manner pleasing to God, in wholeness, and without duplicity; David expands on this in verses 3-8],
And I have trusted [in the past; David also committed to trusting God in the present and future] in the Lord [David attached his trust to the Lord] without wavering [this is not a boast but rather a description of the kind of trust David had in God].

26:2 Examine me [cf. Ps. 139:23-24; David wanted for God to thoroughly examine him], Lord, and put me to the test [David welcomed God’s scrutiny];
Refine [cf. Prov. 17:3; as precious metals are refined with fire] my mind [the thoughts that govern and influence our actions] and my heart [the passions we pursue].

David’s Protestations of Innocence

26:3 For Your goodness [David acknowledged the faithfulness of God even in his distress] is before my eyes [God’s goodness was the object of David’s meditation],
And I have walked […and will continue to walk; this was David’s habit] in Your truth.

26:4 I do not [David voluntarily separated himself from those who would do damage to his intimacy with God] sit with deceitful people [cf. Ps. 1:1],
Nor will I go with pretenders [hypocrites; those who hide their real motives from others].

26:5 I hate [this is an expression of choice; David hated the character and practice of the wicked] the assembly of evildoers [because they posed a spiritual threat to David; cf. 1 Cor. 15:33; the assembly of the wicked stands in contrast to the congregation of the Lord on verse 12],
And I will not sit with the wicked [those who are distanced from and out of touch with God].

26:6 I will wash my hands [washed hands are a symbol of a sinless life or an expression of purity of heart; cf. Ps. 24:4] in innocence,
And I will go around Your altar [David loved being in the house of the Lord], Lord,

26:7 That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving [the wonders of God were the substance of David’s thanksgiving]
And declare all Your wonders [David loved telling others about the goodness and greatness of God].

26:8 Lord, I love [this is an expression of choice and an indication of where David’s heart was] the dwelling of Your house,
And the place where Your glory remains [dwells; cf. Ex. 40:34ff].

David’s Petition for Redemption

26:9 Do not take my soul [the godly are concerned about the state their soul whereas the ungodly are more concerned about the security of their early possessions] away [or sweep away and something to be discarded; this was a prayer for God’s favor] along with sinners,
Nor my life with men of bloodshed [murderers],

26:10 In whose hands is a wicked scheme [cf. Prov. 6:16-19],
And whose right hand is full of bribes [God hates injustice].

26:11 But as for me [in contrast to the wicked], I will walk [an expression of loyalty] in my integrity [wholeness];
Redeem me [a recognition that only God could do this], and be gracious to me.

26:12 My foot stands on level ground [David was confident that God would not allow his feet to stumble];
In the congregations I will bless the Lord [we should give thanks for what God has done to redeem us and in response to His kindness].