Psalm 26 A Psalm of David.

Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, And I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my mind and my heart. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth. I do not sit with deceitful men, Nor will I go with pretenders. I hate the assembly of evildoers, And I will not sit with the wicked.

I shall wash my hands in innocence, And I will go about Your altar, O LORD, That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving And declare all Your wonders. O LORD, I love the habitation of Your house And the place where Your glory dwells. Do not take my soul away along with sinners, Nor my life with men of bloodshed, In whose hands is a wicked scheme, And whose right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; Redeem me, and be gracious to me. My foot stands on a level place; In the congregations I shall bless the LORD.

Process

A. Assertion of integrity (26:1–3)B. Proof of integrity (26:4–8)C. The reward of integrity (26:9–12)

Assertion of integrity

Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, And I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my mind and my heart.

Ask of God

Vindicate-judge meLife of integrity-the way we walkTrusted w/o wavering-the source

Ask of God

ExamineProve by doing

or using

Instruments1. Holy Spirit-John

16:82. Our selves-Romans

2:153. Others-

1 Corinthians 4:3

Ask of GodTest

1. Mind-emotions and affections

2. Heart-knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?

2 Corinthians 13:5

Following God’s direction

For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth

Your feet will take you where your eyes are fixed

Check with the GPS

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105

Don’t be afraid to ask for directions

…You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

James 4:2b-3

Proof of integrity

I do not sit with deceitful men, Nor will I go with pretenders. I hate the assembly of evildoers, And I will not sit with the wicked. Do not take my soul away along with sinners, Nor my life with men of bloodshed, In whose hands is a wicked scheme, And whose right hand is full of bribes.

Psalm 26:4-5; 9-10

Why?

Purity Required Transference Principle 1. Haggia 2:11-19

What is evil pollutes the process.

2. 1 Corinthians 15:33 Bad corrupts good

3. 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 Hypocrites soil the Church

An outward sign of an inward process

I shall wash my hands in innocence, And I will go about Your altar, O LORD, That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving And declare all Your wonders.

1. Ceremonially clean2. Offer sacrifice 3. Thankful4. Praise

The reward of integrity

O LORD, I love the habitation of Your house And the place where Your glory dwells… But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; Redeem me, and be gracious to me. My foot stands on a level place; In the congregations I shall bless the LORD.

Psalm 26:8, 11-12

The reward of integrity

*Great benefit being together *Experiencing the blessing of His presenceConsistent walk each day

Great benefit being together

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:23–25

Temple assembly, worshippers gather, one mind one heart, God’s presence is there. Sing together, pray together, be encouraged together, the group experience of being part of the royal priesthood, the holy nation

Experiencing the blessing of His presence

For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.

Matthew 18:20

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Acts 2:1–2 KJV

Consistent walk each day

…be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Colossians 1:9b–10