Psalm 26

“Vindicate me, Lord, because I have lived with integrity and have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Test me, Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I live by Your truth. I do not sit with the worthless or associate with hypocrites. I hate a crowd of evildoers, and I do not sit with the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence and go around Your altar, Lord, raising my voice in thanksgiving and telling about Your wonderful works. Lord, I love the house where You dwell, the place where Your glory resides. Do not destroy me along with sinners, or my life along with men of bloodshed in whose hands are evil schemes and whose right hands are filled with bribes. But I live with integrity; redeem me and be gracious to me. My foot stands on level ground; I will praise the Lord in the assemblies.” Psalm 26:1-12 (HCSB)

Vindication is needed whenever a person has been unjustly accused of a crime. We do not know the crime of which David was accused, but we know there was a time when he was unjustly pursued by Saul’s army. Saul had to convince his army that David deserved to be punished, so we can be certain the basis for that pursuit was a lie. However, vindication works both ways. Vindication not only clears the innocent; it also makes accusations certain. For instance, if you unjustly accused your neighbor of stealing your lawnmower, your neighbor would be vindicated if the police found your lawnmower in your own garage. Likewise, if your neighbor accused you of stealing his lawnmower, although you are typically an upstanding citizen and your neighbors did not believe the accusation, your neighbor would be vindicated if the police found his lawnmower in your garage.

So, what kind of retribution is David pleading? In some ways, BOTH. David wants vindication because he is innocent, but his accusations about his enemies’ guilt are also proven right. As with many psalms, David’s words also remind us of Jesus, the “Son of David,” who was unjustly accused.

The word “lovingkindness” in verse 3 (translated as “faithful love” in other Bible versions) is more akin to “mercy.” That is, David is a man, hence, not perfect. His plea for vindication is based more on God’s mercy than his own righteousness. For instance, he also pleads in verse 9, “Do not destroy me along with sinners….” David knows he deserves judgment, so he seeks retribution from God. (Ephesians 2:8-9) David has placed his faith in God and His Word. David’s works are merely evidence of his faith, but His vindication must come from God alone.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:1-5 (NKJV) (see also: Romans 5:6-11)