* The southeast view of the tabernacle that existed from the time of Moses to David.
>1. What does vindicate mean? Why does David think he should be vindicated? How can David make the claim that he has led a blameless life considering his claims in Psalm 25:7, 11, & 15?
* Psalm 26:1 "Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering."
* "Vindicate me" -The original Hebrew word for "vindicate" is "shapat" (a transliteration). The KJV, YLT, and ASV translates it as "judge". Vindicate is a more accurate translation. The first definition of "vindicate" in the American Heritage Bible is "to clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting arguments or proof". The second is "to provide justification or support for."
* "for I have led a blameless life" -The original Hebrew words are "halak tom" (a transliteration). The KJV, YLT, and ASV translates it as "for I have walked in mine integrity" and "for I in mine integrity have walked". The first definition of "integrity" in the American Heritage Bible is "steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code". The first definition of "blameless" in the American Heritage Bible is "free of blame or guilt". The second is "innocent". David is considering the covenant of the Lord with Israel, a rather bold claim.
* "I have trusted in the LORD without wavering." -The original Hebrew words are "batah YHWH madd" (a transliteration). The KJV translates it as "I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide." The ASV translates it as "I have trusted also in Jehovah without wavering." The YLT translates it as, "And in Jehovah I have trusted, I slide not."
* Impudent, insolent, impertinent, and arrogant. Are these accurate accusations against David, the author of this psalm? Twice he proclaims to the Lord God, "I have led a blameless life." (1, 11) Yet, in the previous psalm, he pleads with the Lord for the forgiveness of his many sins and rebellious ways. (25:7, 11, 15) Is a man mentally balanced when he recognizes his repetitive sins, asks for forgiveness, and then claims, "I have led a blameless life?"
"I have trusted in the Lord without wavering." David is true when he makes this claim. Though his sins are well documented for every generation for three thousand years to read and study, so is his unfailing trust in the Lord. Psalm 22 is the closest he came to stepping into doubt of the Lord. And yet that is one of the most prophetic poems of the Lord Jesus' suffering, resurrection, and second coming.
David, in making the claim of innocence is expressing one of the mysteries of faith in Jesus; the power and completeness of God's forgiveness. The Lord God proclaims, "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." (Isaiah 43:25) The author of the letter to the Hebrews quotes Jeremiah 31:34b, "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." (Hebrews 8:12)
Jesus' words which are often quickly reviewed and easily forgotten express the heart of David's claim, "I have led a blameless life." Jesus told them, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." (John 13:10) When God cleaned my sin from my soul it was like washing filth off my body. That mud is gone and forgotten. Sure, new mud attaches to my feet. But that too Jesus will wash off when I repent and ask. My muddy feet are clean. The mud is gone and forgotten.
So the mystery of faith that sprouts the claim, "I am blameless" is rooted in the rich depths of the forgiveness of Christ. What God has forgotten, I forget except to proclaim to others the grace and truth of the Lord Jesus. Oh, the matchless grace of Christ. "...to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." (Ephesians 4:7-8)
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 26:1.
>What does David ask of God and why? (2-3) What does verse 3 mean?
* Psalm 26:2-3 "Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth."
* "Test me, O LORD, and try me" -The original Hebrew word for "test" is "bahan" (a transliteration). The original Hebrew word for "try" is "nasa" (a transliteration). Translated in the KJV as "examine" and "prove".
* "examine my heart and my mind" -The original Hebrew word for "examine" is "sarap" (a transliteration). Translated in the KJV as "try".
* "for your love is ever before me" -David seems to be saying the love of the Lord guards his heart. Therrefore, he will pass any test.
* "I walk continually in your truth." -Past and present tense.
* After asking the Lord to vindicate him, David makes a rather unusual and bold request. To support his claim of living a blameless life he wants the Lord to test him. When I want to test the quality of an item, I invoke a procedure for critical evaluation. If it is important I will rigorously determine the quality and truth of a claim.
David's request to be tested was not something new. Perhaps he was thinking of Abraham when he was asked to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice to test him. (Genesis 22) Or perhaps David read the times when Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. Then the Lord God said, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way, I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions... to know what was in their heart... so that in the end it might go well with them." (Exodus 16:4-5, 17:2; Deuteronomy 8:2, 16) Or he read when they received the ten commandments Moses relayed to them, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning." (Exodus 20:20)
God tests those he loves. I have been and will undergo tests, to see the quality of my faith and love. (Galatians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 8:8) "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12)
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 26:2-3.
>2. What four items does David present as evidence of his blameless life in verses 4 and 5? Why do people do this? How does this help us understand David's request for vindication?
* Psalm 26:4-5 "I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites; I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked."
* "do not" -Four do nots.
* "I do not sit with deceitful men" -He does not make them friends.
* "nor do I consort with hypocrites;" -He knows they will teach from hypocrisy.
* "I abhor the assembly of evildoers" -He is repulsed from groups that sin.
* "refuse to sit with the wicked." -To sit with means to make their piers, business partners, and friends.
* David is expressing blameless life in terms more than the law of Moses. These are not part of the Mosaic law.
>What four positive items does David add to the evidence of his blameless life in verses 6 thru 8? What might each mean to a man who was not of the Levitical line of Aaron?
* Psalm 26:6-8 "I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, O LORD, proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells."
* Four dos.
* "I wash my hands in innocence" -The original Hebrew word for "wash" is "rahas" (a transliteration) referring to a cleansing with water. The original Hebrew word for "innocence" is "niqqayon" (a transliteration) referring to having no filth because it has been washed. The KJV translates these as "wash" and innocency". The implication is that he was dirty, but now is not.
* "and go about your altar" -The priests were to wash before they went to work in the tabernacle and the temple. (Exodus 29:4, 30:20-21, 40:12, 31)
* "proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds" -Verbal, not in the mind.
* "I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells." -This could be anyplace, not the the tabernacle and the temple.
* First, David asked for vindication for he led a blameless life. Then, he asks the Lord to test him and examine the sincerity of his heart and mind. Now, David brings up four do-nots and four dos to back up his statements. David is presenting himself to God as a person who would ask a request of a king. He is saying, "These eight things are why I am about to make an important request." None of these eight items are in the Ten Commandments. Can they be even found in the rest of the Mosaic laws?
First, David says, "I am not a party to deceitful men." Second, he says, "I do not consort with hypocrites." Third, David presents that he does not hang out with evildoers. His fourth do-not is, "I do not even associate with the wicked." David knows these types of people could cause him to sin. So, David only keeps company with those whose hearts and minds are also blameless.
Then David brings up the good things he does. First, he washes his hands in innocence. In other words, he is free from sin, guile, cunning, and deceit. Second, he goes about the Lord's altar meaning he keeps himself busy with the work the Lord has for him. Third, he proclaims aloud the Lord's praises. He is always aware of and states God's holy character in song, psalm, and word. Fourth, David tells others of the great works of the Lord.
David concludes his character list with one last very important item. He loves the house where the Lord lives. Since the temple was not erected yet, David is either referring to the Tabernacle or most likely God's throne in heaven. This last declaration is important because it is a bridge to the reason David has come to the Lord. David wants to be in the Lord's presence all the days of his life. David's eternal life goal is to always be near the Lord God.
What is my eternal life goal? Where do I want to be for eternity? Do I live my life as to be with the Lord? Do I live a blameless life?
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 26:4-8.
>3. Ultimately what is David's request to the Lord? (9-10) What is the soul and what did David believe about it's nature? Who controls it's destiny?
* Psalm 26:9-10 "Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes."
* "Do not take away my soul along with sinners" -The original Hebrew word for "take away" is "asap" (a transliteration). The KJV translates this as "gather not" and "assembly". Jesus' parables about the judgement to come also depicts separating the clean and unclean, the righteous and the sinner and taking away the sinners. "Go away. I do not know you."
* "my life with bloodthirsty men" -"Bloodthirsty men" in the NIV is "bloody men" in the KJV. The original Hebrew word for is the nouns "dam enosh" (a transliteration).
* "in whose hands are wicked schemes" -Countering David's earlier statement that he washed his hands in innocence.
* "whose right hands are full of bribes."
>Though David again claims he lead a blameless life what does David ask and why? What is the level ground David stands on? What is he sure of?
* Psalm 26:11-12 "But I lead a blameless life; redeem me and be merciful to me. My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the LORD."
* "But I lead a blameless life" -First stated in verse 1.
* "redeem me and be merciful to me." -David knows his sins otherwise he would not asked to be redeemed.
* "My feet stand on level ground" -He will not fall.
* "in the great assembly I will praise the LORD." -The great assembly is at the resurrection of the dead on judgement day.
* David gets to the point of coming to the Lord. "Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with bloodthirsty men..." David wants to live in paradise, the house of the Lord forever. David wants eternal life.
David's case has been that he has kept a blameless life. He has walked continually in the Lord's truth. Based upon being good enough he can be allowed to live eternally in the house of the Lord. He promises it is his desire to always sing praises of the Lord God. He is sincere.
All religions that profess that they have the truth of God generally promote the same ideology concerning how to obtain eternal life except one. They say the way to live in paradise is to live a good life. If we live mostly by doing enough dos and refrain from enough do-not, then we will live forever. What is good and what is bad is defined differently by the different religions as well as who was the best teacher.
The one religion that teaches something different is Christianity. The teaching in the Bible is that no matter how blameless we are we all sin and thus fall short of the requirements to be with a holy God. Because of sin, we are separated from God. No matter how many good things we do and how hard we try to refrain from doing wrong, it will not be enough. However, Christianity does promote hope. That hope is in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The teaching taught around the truth of Good Friday and Easter Sunday is that through faith in Jesus, anyone can be made blameless and thus be welcomed in paradise, the kingdom of God.
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 26:9-12.
II. My I Dwell in Your House LORD? (27:1-6)
* The Holy Place in the tabernacle that existed from the time of Moses to David. Here a priest would refresh the twelve loaves of bread, keep the incense burning, and say prayers for all Israel.
>4. What is happening with David that he wrote this psalm? (1, 14) What is fear? When confronted with fear what did King Saul do and now might that be in David's mind? (1 Samuel 15:24-26)
* Psalm 27:1 "The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?"
* Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."
* 1 Samuel 15:24-26 "Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I violated the LORD's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them. Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD." But Samuel said to him, "I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel!"
* The title of the psalm is "Of David".
* "my light"
* "my salvation"
* "fear... afraid"
* "stronghold of my life"
>5. What is the source of the temptation to be afraid? (1 John 4:18; Romans 8:1-3) What times in David life could this be?
* Psalm 27:2-3 "When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident."
* 1 Samuel 21:1, 10; 22:1-5 "David went to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech trembled when he met him, and asked, "Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?"... That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. ...David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father's household heard about it, they went down to him there. All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him. From there David went to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, "Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?" So he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him as long as David was in the stronghold. But the prophet Gad said to David, "Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah." So David left and went to the forest of Hereth."
* 1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
* Romans 8:1-3 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful ma
* "When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh"
* "when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall."
* "Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear"
* "though war break out against me, even then will I be confident."
* Many reasons to fear come and go in life. Some rationalizations for fear never leave, usually acting from the edge of my consciousness. Often these imagined or real giant things I fear amount to nothing. Similarly, plans made because of vague fears are nothing but wasting time. Fear is a feeling not reality. Yet, fear can greatly affect my reality. This is because my fears will affect the way I think and live. I will make poor life decisions when I choose not to recognize my fears and address them. Fear is a gift of God only if I fear in righteousness. Fear is a result of doubt in God. (1 John 4:18) "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." (Isaiah 8:12-13; 1 Peter 3:14)
When David looked at his fear of those who sought him harm he also looked at the Lord who made a promise to always be with him and defend him. His fear was not vague in the sense that evil men were advancing against him to devour his flesh. Yet his fear was unnecessary when he accepted that the Lord was his light and salvation. The Lord was the stronghold of his life. Accepting this he knew that he should not fear.
Overcoming fear starts with accepting that I have fears, understanding the nature of those fears, and knowing the root cause of those fears. Next, I need to know, remember, and accept Jesus' promises. I should then confess my fear and lack of faith and ask Jesus, "Help me have faith in you enough to eliminate my fear." Accept Jesus in my heart and mind for "there is no fear in his love. But perfect love drives out fear..." (1 John 4:18) Lastly, I need to attack fears by acting against them in faith and love. Without the last step, the fear will probably remain. Jesus says, "Do not fear and know I am your God."
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 27:1-3.
>6. What is the point of this psalm? What does David ask? What does that tell about him?
* Psalm 27:4 "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."
* "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek" -This is not David's only request. Rather, this is the only one he has at this time. This is the reason for the psalm.
* "that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life" -The original Hebrew word "bayit" from the root word "banah" (bana) is translated as "house" in most English translations. "Banah" means "build", "build up", "made", "set up", and "made again". It is not just a building, but more so the family within the structure.
* "to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD" -The Lord clothes himself with light. Jesus on the mount of transfiguration and as John witnessed in Revelation is an example.
* "to seek him in his temple." -The original Hebrew noun "hekal" used eighty times in the Old Testament is translated as "temple" and "palace" in most English translations.
* Not a priest am I. Not a blameless without sin am I. I am shown grace. I am a layman.
No rights have I. Nothing of grandeur have I. I have mercy. I have naturalization.
Vagabond am I. Repulsive am I. I am seeking acceptance. I am requesting a household.
I have accepted His light. I have accepted His salvation. I have accepted His Father. I have accepted His invitation.
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 27:4.
>What does the nature of his request have to do about his present live circumstances? (5-6) What rock is David referring to?
* Psalm 27:5-6 "For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD."
* "For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling" -David is experiencing trouble. He is afraid.
* "he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock." -David's enemies can see him if they look. They are near. "Tabernacle" in the original Hebrew is "sok" translated as "pavilion" in the KJV and ASV and "tent" in others.
* "Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me" -"Head" is the noun "rosh" in the original Hebrew. Why David only mentions his head could mean several things. Perhaps because Saul who was a head taller than others is the enemy that chaces him. Or perhaps he is speaking of this thoughts and emotions.
* "at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy" -"Tabernacle" here and in verse 5 in the original Hebrew is "sok" translated as "pavilion" in the KJV and ASV and "tent" in others.
* "I will sing and make music to the LORD." -Songs of praise can lift the soul and spirit.
* Surrounded by strangers and enemies, fear pushes down the soul like a title wave. Fear coils like a python in instant reality. I grow weak swimming on the top of the ocean deep. I am standing alone in a war-prone region with people who do not look like or talk like me. If I am taken I would not be found. Would I ever again see those I love?
The day of trouble has arrived; the pain in unending night; uncertainty in a moment. Find refuge in the hope of the future. The Lord has my future. Is David speaking of the life after this one, the resurrection of the dead? Thought of the future brings safety into the present.
Jesus is the house of safety. Jesus is the tabernacle of shelter. Jesus is the rock I stand on high above enemies. My thoughts are clear. My emotions lighten the body's load. He is the sigh of release. I take in his breath and breathe out fear. At his tabernacle, I have sacrificed fear and he has given me shouts of joy. I will sing and make music to the LORD.
I do not have to be afraid in the present because he is my future.
III. Seek His Face! (27:7-14)
>7. Why might David need to ask the Lord to hear him and answer him? (7, 14)
* Psalm 27:7 "Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me."
* "Hear my voice when I call" -Voice implies he is praying aloud. He is not speaking in his mind. He is audible.
* "be merciful to me and answer me." -David did not ask for an audible answer. He did not ask for his enemies to be eliminated. He asked to be in the Lord's presence always so that he may gaze on the Lord. This is safety to David.
>8. What is David's inner voice saying to him? (8) What does this reveal about him? What does this mean?
* Psalm 27:8 "My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek."
* Hebrews 12:2-3 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
* "My heart says of you"
* "Seek his face!"
* "Your face, LORD, I will seek."
>9. What does it mean to seek the Lord's face? What does David call the Lord? (9)
* Psalm 27:9 "Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior."
* "Do not hide your face from me"
* "do not turn your servant away in anger"
* "you have been my helper"
* "Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior."
>Who rejected David? Why might they do that?
* Psalm 27:10 "Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me."
* "Though my father and mother forsake me"
* "the LORD will receive me."
* Sometimes when I either call on the Lord in prayer or sing praise I find that the Lord seems far off. I have a hard time settling my heart and mind. Concentrating is a chore that takes much effort. My heart wants to seek the Lord. I try to seek. Yet, my mind is like the flight of a bat or a swarm of nats that resists a set course.
Times like these I call, "Be merciful to me and answer me. Come to me that I may see your face. Do not turn away your servant in anger. You are my helper. My life. My light. My savior. Warm my spirit with your Spirit. Be my helper."
When Jesus was on The Mount of Olives he told his disciples to pray. However, they kept falling asleep. Jesus commented, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." (Matthew 26:41) Though the psalm may not be precisely the subject of a scattered mind in prayer and song, the general concept is. David pleads with the Lord to receive him into his presence so that he may be delivered. The solution to a lack of concentration is to bring it to the LORD.
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 27:7-10.
>10. Why does David say to teach him his ways and lead him in a straight path? (11) Since he was surrounded what kind of path was he in need of?
* Psalm 27:11-12 "Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence."
* "Teach me your way"
* "lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors"
* "Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes"
* "for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence."
>What is David confident in? What can we learn about faith from this psalm?
* Psalm 27:13-14 "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."
* "I am still confident of this"
* "I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living."
* "Wait for the LORD"
* "be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."
* David has foes who desire to do terrible things to him, even kill him. False witnesses are used to justify to others that David deserves punishment, even death. The same was true of Jesus. David was crying out to the Lord for mercy and deliverance. He asked to not be turned over to the desire of his foes and false witnesses who breathe out violence.
David had not seen deliverance. Yet, he kept on praying. He had not seen a way out. Yet, he kept his faith in the Lord. He remained confident of this: that he would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. David believed that the Lord would turn his circumstances around even though he did not see any evidence of its eventual reality. David's faith in God was not vague. He knew that he would be delivered and see good things in the land of the living. This is the good things in the covenant of the Lord.
No matter how dim the light, no matter that the light of life flickers, no matter that the depths of a cave keep light from entering, the Lord Jesus can always change life circumstances. Wait. Wait for the LORD. Be strong, take heart, and wait for the Lord. Abraham waited 25 years till he held the Lord's promise in his hands. David waited nearly as long till he saw the Lord's covenant with him become a reality. I can wait and pray too.
