WALK IN THINE INTEGRITY

Psalm 26

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     There are many traits that God’s children need to make sure they possess. 

 

B.      We mentioned the essential nature of love in a previous lesson.

 

C.     In this lesson, we are going to study another important trait. 

1.       David possessed it.

2.       In Psalm 26, he mentions it two times.

a.       Psalm 26:1

 

…for I have walked in mine integrity…

 

b.      Psalm 26:11

 

But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity…

 

D.     Integrity defined:

1.       Realness and genuineness 

2.       The flipside of the coin involves no hypocrisy and being free from guile.

3.       In other places the word is translated “perfect” (Job 1:1).

 

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

 

E.      We have entitled this lesson:  “Walk in Thine Integrity.”

 

I.                    THE CONFIDENCE OF INTEGRITY (Ps. 26:1-2).

 

Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity:  I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide.

 

A.     David begins this psalm with words that many of us would never say:  “Judge me, O Lord.” (v. 1).

1.       The word “judge” means “to pronounce sentence in order to vindicate or punish.”

2.       David was so confident of the genuineness of his life that he boldly asked God to judge him.

3.       Question:  At this time, would you want God to judge you for the genuineness and sincerity of your Christian life?

 

B.      The basis for David’s confidence is found in these words:  “…I have trusted also in the Lord.”

1.       The word “trust” is defined as “confidence.”

2.       David’s confidence was based upon his confidence in the Lord.

3.       As long as he relied upon God, his feet would not slide into evil and danger.

 

C.     In verse two, David’s confidence continues to be expressed.  He uses three other terms of judgment.

1.       Examine me:  investigate me

2.       Prove me:  test me

3.       Try my reins and my heart

a.       The word try involves being put into the refiner’s fire.

b.      His reins and heart involved the inner man.

1)      David did not just want his actions tested.

2)      He wanted God to examine his emotions and his rationale.

 

II.                 THE CONDUCT OF INTEGRITY (Ps. 26:3-8)

 

A.     If the heart of a man is true and genuine, then his outward actions will also fall in line.

 

B.      David lists six aspects of his character that prove his integrity.

1.       His Perception (Ps. 26:3a)

 

For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes…

 

a.       David’s eyes were focused upon God.

b.      He did not see a God of anger, hate, and vengeance.

c.       He saw God’s lovingkindness.

1)      God cares for His people.  He is deeply concerned about them.

2)      His lovingkindness causes Him to extend mercy to them.

3)      David definitely knew something about the mercy of God (See 2 Sam. 12:13).

 

And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord.  And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin, thou shalt not die.

 

2.       His Path (Ps. 26:3b)

 

…and I have walked in thy truth.

 

a.       There are only two paths in which all men can walk:  falsehood or truth.

b.      God’s Word is truth (Ps. 119:142; John 17:17).

c.       David knew what was true and lived in accordance with that truth (1 Kings 9:4).

 

3.       His Partition (Ps. 26:4-5)

a.       As a faithful man of God, David knew there were some individuals with whom he could have no fellowship. 

b.      He put a partition between himself and evil people. 

1)      “I have not sat with vain persons”  These are individuals who live their lives in such a way that they are useless and desolating

2)      “…neither will I go in with dissemblers”  These are individuals who veil and conceal their evil intentions and actions.

3)      “I have hated the congregation of evil doers”  These are described with the words “good for nothing.”

4)      “…and will not sit with the wicked” These are the morally bankrupt.

c.       David’s actions are in complete harmony with Paul’s instructions to the Ephesians (Eph. 5:11).

 

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

 

4.       His purity (Ps. 26:6a)

I will wash mine hands with innocency…

 

a.       The word “wash” indicates the concept of cleaning and purifying.

b.      The hands are symbols of our works.

c.       David’s life would be free from the stain of filth and guilt. 

d.      His life was one of innocency.  In the New Testament, the word “blameless” takes a similar meaning (2 Pet. 3:14).

5.       His praise (Ps. 26:6b-7)

 

…so will I compass thine altar, O Lord:  that I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.

 

a.       The altar of God was where the Jews would go to offer their sacrifices unto God.

b.      This altar was not far away from the tabernacle of God.

c.       David would worship God.  In his praise he would

1)      Publish with the voice of thanksgiving (NOTE:  David had risen from the ranks of a shepherd boy to the king of the Israelite nation).

2)      Tell of all God’s wonderful works (NOTE:  David had experienced God’s working in his life many times from Goliath to Saul to victory over the Philistines).

d.      Has God been good to us?  Has He performed wonderful works in our lives?  If we are people of integrity, we must publish these things with our voice and tell of His works to others.

6.       His passion (Ps. 26:8)

 

Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.

 

a.       David loved the house of God.

b.      He loved it so much that he devised the idea of building a permanent house for God.

c.       David knew God’s presence was in the tabernacle.  There was no house as magnificent.  David loved it because God was there.

d.      LESSON:  Today, the church is the temple and dwelling place of God (1 Cor. 3:16).  This place should be the focus of our passion if we walk in integrity.

 

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

 

III.              THE CONGREGATION OF INTEGRITY (Ps. 26:9-12)

 

A.     There are two only two groups with whom a person can be associated.

 

B.      One of those congregations is evil.  David wanted no part of that group (Ps. 26:9-10).

 

Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:  in whose hand is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.

 

1.       In a previous section, we noted that David had put up a partition between himself and wicked men.

2.       He does not want to be gathered with them now or later.

3.       He describes them with more words.

a.       Sinners:  criminals or offenders, those who are guilty of transgression

b.      Bloody men:  murderers, men who shed blood and cause death

c.       In whose hands is mischief:  wicked thoughts, plans, and devices

d.      Their right hand is full of bribes:  those who would pervert justice with money, dishonest and unjust

 

C.     David longs for another congregation (Ps. 26:11-12).

1.       This is the congregation wherein he can bless the Lord.

2.       Since his life is real and genuine, he can ask God to redeem him and be merciful unto him.

a.       He can buy him out of the clutches of the evil one.

b.      He can be merciful, that is, providing something to David that he does not deserve.

3.       David longs for his feet to stand “in an even place.” 

a.       In an even place, there is no chance of falling.

b.      In an even place, there is no fear of slipping away.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     We have breezed through this Psalm of David.

1.       David was confident of his integrity.

2.       His integrity could be tested by God.

3.       His integrity could be proven by godly actions.

4.       His integrity would enable him to stand in the congregation of the righteous.

 

B.      Are we as confident of our integrity as David was?

1.       Is our perception on the lovingkindness of God?

2.       Is our path the way of truth?

3.       Have we set a partition between us and evil men?

4.       Are our hands pure, washed in innocency?

5.       Do we praise God with thanksgiving and tell of His wonderful works?

6.       Do we have a passion for the church, the dwelling place of God?

 

C.     This morning would you invite God to judge you, examine you, prove you, and try you?