Psalm 026 - A Protestation of Integrity
Vindicate me, LORD,
for I have led a blameless life;
I have trusted in the LORD
and have not faltered.
Test me, LORD, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;
for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.
I do not sit with the deceitful,
nor do I associate with hypocrites.
I abhor the assembly of evildoers
and refuse to sit with the wicked.
I wash my hands in innocence,
and go about your altar, LORD,
proclaiming aloud your praise
and telling of all your wonderful deeds.
LORD, I love the house where you live,
the place where your glory dwells.
Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
my life with those who are bloodthirsty,
in whose hands are wicked schemes,
whose right hands are full of bribes.
I lead a blameless life;
deliver me and be merciful to me.
My feet stand on level ground;
in the great congregation I will praise the LORD.
One of the bravest prayers we can make is the one David makes in this psalm: Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and mind. One wonders if David would have dared to make this prayer after his shenanigans with Bathsheba. Do we dare to make it?
However, we don't need to be leading a perfect life when we ask God to test us. This is a prayer of honesty and humility. We acknowledge that we are not perfect and that we need God's help to live in a way that is pleasing to him.
When we pray these words, we invite God to reveal any areas of our lives where we may fall short and help us grow in our faith and character. This can be a challenging prayer because it requires us to be open to correction and willing to change, but it is also a powerful prayer that can lead us to a deeper understanding of God's love and grace.
Ultimately, when we pray these words, we put our trust in God's wisdom and guidance, knowing that he is always faithful to his promises and desires to see us grow and mature in our faith. So, let us pray this daily, knowing that God is with us and will help us every step of the way.
God be with you.