Aren't you special?
We all know a braggadocious person.
These are the people who never pass up an opportunity to let the whole world just how much they have accomplished.
Interestingly, the same people seem blind to their own shortcomings. So what do we do when we come across something in the Psalms that, honestly, reminds us of those braggadocious persons?
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. (Psalm 26:1-5 ESV)
Well….
Mr. David…
…aren't we confident in our own righteousness?
Aren’t you special?
Picture from Quotesgram.com
Is David just being arrogant?
There are three ways that scholars have interpreted Psalm 26. The first is to place this Psalm earlier in David's life before David came face to face with his own weaknesses and made choices that proved him to be just as capable of making a mess of his life as the rest of us. In this view, God inspired David to write Psalm 26 in order to later allow him to learn humility the hard way.
The second view is to see this as a hymn that was sung after atonement had been made for the people, their sins had been forgiven so they were able to proclaim their innocence.
The third is to claim that this is a messianic Psalm. In other words, though David wrote it, the words fit best coming from the perfect Messiah who was to come. Christ, absolutely fits the description of someone who trusted the Lord without wavering. In this view, we hold up Christ as the example we should aspire to follow.
I think a combination of all three makes sense. What is clearly apparent from the Psalm itself is that forgiveness is in view.
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. (Psalm 26:6-10 ESV)
The idea of washing one’s hands is a picture of the removal of guilt. That language comes up again in the book of James in the New Testament.
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:8 ESV)
It isn’t that David is proclaiming that he is innocent and self-righteous, therefore he comes before God, it is the reverse. David comes before God, therefore God’s mercy and forgiveness cleanse him of guilt and he is therefore pronounced innocent. As a response to God’s mercy, David fled from his sinfulness and committed himself to walk in integrity.
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 26:11-12 ESV)
David’s only hope to walk in integrity is through redemption, his only hope of standing on level ground is through God’s grace.
The same is true of you and I. Our ability to walk in integrity is inseparably tied to our willingness to admit our daily need for God’s redemption and grace which can only come through Christ who walked in perfect obedience to the Father.
Then we get to brag as well. Not in our own accomplishments, but in Christ’s accomplishments, and we commit ourselves to walk daily in integrity from a heart of thankfulness for the grace and mercy we have received.
Have a great week.
Keep safe, be well, and stay encouraged.
Brian.