The oppressed righteous man.
It is impossible to say on what occasion the psalm was composed, or from what kind of trouble it prays to be delivered. The theme is—Only he who can say with truth, "I have walked in integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord," may depend upon Divine aid in trouble; but we may do so with full confidence. In the first verse the whole psalm is summed up.
I. A PRAYER FOR HELP IN TROUBLE. "Judge me," equivalent to "vindicate my rights and rescue me from injustice." The only clue to the meaning of the prayer is in the ninth verse, "Take not my soul away with the wicked, and my life with men of blood." He was in some way suffering; but he prays that he may not fall into the utter ruin which is the portion of the wicked—the penalty of daring sin, nor the fatherly chastisement of infirmity. The psalmist's faith was that God could not involve the righteous in destruction with the ungodly, but would separate between them even in their outward lot. This in great part true. "Godliness has the promise of the life that now is "—outwardly and inwardly. So far as we know, the psalmist did not know of any other world where God could interpose to show his approval of the righteous and his disapproval of the wicked.
II. THE GROUND OF THE PSALMIST'S PRAYER. "I have walked in mine integrity, I have trusted in the Lord." But if I have not, do thou show it me (Psalms 26:2). But I think I have; for thy love has been before my eyes, and I continually thought upon thy truth, or faithfulness (Psalms 26:3). The two main grounds on which he prays for help are his morality and piety—integrity and trust, expanded further in the life (Psalms 26:8).
1. His morality. "Integrity," equivalent to "with the mind aiming at the right and true, and with an undivided purpose. He had avoided all voluntary association with the wicked (Psalms 26:4, Psalms 26:5). He would neither go (walk) nor sit with them. All his sympathies went against them, equivalent to "hated them." The company we keep from choice is a true and strong indication of our character.
2. His piety. "I wash my hands," etc. The hands the instruments of action. His actions are cleansed from defilement; and this is his preparation for worship. "If thy brother hath aught against thee … first be reconciled unto thy brother," etc. "I hold fast by thine altar." This placed in opposition to the assembly of the wicked, which he shuns. The purifying of the heart and conduct is naturally followed by worship, and preceded by it. He would proclaim God's wondrous works to the people: only he whose heart is full of them can worthily and truly publish them. He shall come to share in new wonders. He loved the house of God, because there God manifested his glory to him (Psalms 26:8). Manifested himself; and he sees him as Isaiah saw him, "high and lifted up." He fully trusted in the deliverance he sought; for he expected to praise the Lord in the congregation (verse 12).—S.
Psalms
Psalms 26 - psalms-26 - worlddic.com