Psalm 26

Pentecost 16A, August 31, 2008

From the Lutheran lectionary calendar, the psalm for this week is Psalm 26. After reading it in the King James Version, the Contemporary English Version, the New International Reader's Version, The Revised Standard & New Revised Standard Versions, I picked the Message and the NIRV - because the language & images in these translations spoke to me.

Psalm 26
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
A David Psalm

1 Clear my name, God; I've kept an honest shop. I've thrown in my lot with you, God, and I'm not budging. 2 Examine me, God, from head to foot, order your battery of tests. Make sure I'm fit inside and out 3 So I never lose sight of your love, But keep in step with you, never missing a beat. 4-5 I don't hang out with tricksters, I don't pal around with thugs; I hate that pack of gangsters, I don't deal with double-dealers. 6-7 I scrub my hands with purest soap, then join hands with the others in the great circle, dancing around your altar, God, Singing God-songs at the top of my lungs, telling God-stories. 8-10 God, I love living with you; your house glows with your glory. When it's time for spring cleaning, don't sweep me out with the quacks and crooks, Men with bags of dirty tricks, women with purses stuffed with bribe-money. 11-12 You know I've been aboveboard with you; now be aboveboard with me. I'm on the level with you, God; I bless you every chance I get.

Psalm 26
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Copyright © 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society

A psalm of David. 1 Lord, when you hand down your sentence, let it be in my favor. I have lived without blame. I have trusted in the Lord. I have never doubted him. 2 Lord, test me. Try me out. Look deep down into my heart and mind. 3 Your love is always with me. I have always lived by your truth. 4 I don't spend time with people who tell lies. I don't keep company with pretenders. 5 I hate to be with a group of sinful people. I refuse to spend time with those who are evil. 6 I wash my hands to show that I'm not guilty. Lord, I come near your altar. 7 I shout my praise to you. I tell about all the wonderful things you have done. 8 Lord, I love the house where you live. I love the place where your glory is. 9 Don't destroy me together with sinners. Don't take my life away along with murderers. 10 Their hands are always planning to do evil. Their right hands are full of money that bought them off. 11 But I live without blame. Set me free and show me your favor. 12 My feet stand on level ground. In the whole community I will praise the Lord.

According to Matthew Henry's commentary, David wrote this when he was being persecuted by Saul, who represented David as a very bad man, falsely accusing him of all kinds of crimes. So, David appeals to God, to judge him correctly. Rather than arguing & battling with Saul, rather than venting with someone on his "side", rather than fanning the flames or triangulating someone not involved, rather than taking out an ad to attack & falsely accuse Saul (after all, turn about is fair play) David turns to God. He goes to God with his hurt, with his frustration and with his fear that God might believe Saul instead of him.

David reminds God that he is innocent of the lies others have told about him. He does love the Lord. He does seek his truth. He does live in a way that is pleasing to GOD.

David asks for God's judgement because he knows that God alone knows his
heart. God alone knows that David has loved the Lord and tried to live accordingly. God alone can give David the peace in the midst of the chaos.

We live in a different age than Saul & David, but the Kingdom of Me, is still alive and well. We believe that it is really and ultimately, all about me.
David's Psalm is a reminder that it is indeed, all about God. I might have someone falsely accuse me, try to take advantage of me, misunderstand me, incorrectly judge me - but ultimately, it's not about them or me. It's about God.

I trust that God will judge me correctly, that God will give me strength and wisdom, that God will guide me and keep me safe.

Thank you God, for keeping my feet on level ground. Amen.