Vindicate Me – Psalm 26

Leaders are especially susceptible to using their leadership for personal gain, and they are especially susceptible, therefore, to accusations of such, even if they are not true.  Here is another psalm of David, who faced this problem over and over.  Here is his psalm of petition, in which he justifies why God should answer his request for vindication from false accusation.

Of David.

Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.  Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind.  For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.

I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites.  I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.

I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O LORD, proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds.

O LORD, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes.

But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me.  My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the LORD.  (Psalm 26 ESV)

If we were to ask God to test us to see whether we should be vindicated of charges that we were not genuine Christians, how would we fare?  We would need to show that we trust in Him and worship Him and obey Him.  On the negative side this would mean that we don’t conduct our relationships with others deceitfully or pretend to be godly when we aren’t.  No bribes are taken nor do we resort to any violence.  Rather, on the positive side, we keep our conduct pure and give thanks publicly to the God of our salvation, keeping integrity inside and out.  This is what gives us a solid place to stand with God and with others and an expectation that God will uphold our reputation.