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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 26:1-5

It is probable that David penned this psalm when he was persecuted by Saul and his party, who, to give some colour to their unjust rage, represented him as a very bad man, and falsely accused him of many high crimes and misdemeanors, dressed him up in the skins of wild beasts that they might bait him. Innocency itself is no fence to the name, though it is to the bosom, against the darts of calumny. Herein he was a type of Christ, who was made a reproach of men, and foretold to his followers... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 26:1

Judge me, O Lord ,.... Meaning not that God would enter into judgment with him, in respect to the justification of his person in his sight, which he knew was not by his own righteousness and integrity, but by the righteousness of God; but his view is, to the justification of his cause before men; and particularly to the difference between Saul and him; and entreats that God would interpose, take his cause in hand, judge between them, and vindicate him; for I have walked in mine integrity ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 26:1

Judge me, O Lord - There are so many strong assertions in this Psalm concerning the innocence and uprightness of its author that many suppose he wrote it to vindicate himself from some severe reflections on his conduct or accusations relative to plots, conspiracies, etc. This seems to render the opinion probable that attributes it to David during his exile, when all manner of false accusations were brought against him at the court of Saul. I have walked in mine integrity - I have never... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 26:1

Verse 1 1.Judege me, O Jehovah! I have just said, that David betakes himself to the judgment of God, because he found neither equity nor humanity among men. The Hebrew word which is rendered to judge, signifies to undertake the cognisance of a cause. The meaning here, therefore, is as if David called upon God to be the defender of his right. (567) When God leaves us for a time to the injuries and petulance of our enemies, he seems to neglect our cause; but when he restrains them from assailing... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 26:1

Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity . It seems to Christians a bold act to call on God for judgment, but the saints of the earlier dispensation, having, perhaps, a less keen sense of human imperfection, were wont to do so. It is Job's cry from his first utterance until his "words are ended;" and here we find David taking it up and re-echoing it. Man longs to hear the sentence of acquittal from the great Judge. Like Job, David asserts his "integrity," and in the same... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 26:1-12

Assailed integrity's final appeal £ It seems evident that this psalm was written by some Old Testament saint who was surrounded by ungodly men, by whom he was assailed, reproached, and slandered. From them he appeals to God. By the heading of the psalm we are pointed to David as the author. And there is no reason for questioning that. Mr. Fausset, in his most suggestive book, 'Horae Psalmicae,' working along the line of "undesigned coincidences," remarks, "Another feature of undesigned... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 26:1-12

Integrity. All through the Scriptures "integrity" is commended. It is a characteristic of the saints. Whatever else they are, they must be men of integrity. This does not mean that they are morally perfect, or that they have any ground for trusting in their own righteousness; but it means that they have an "honest and good heart." Whatever may have been their past life, or however much of imperfection may still cleave to them, they are conscious of a pure intent, a firm and steadfast... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 26:1-12

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... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 26:1

Judge me, O Lord - That is, determine in regard to my case whether I am truly thy friend, or whether the evidences of my piety are genuine. The psalmist asks an examination of his own case; he brings the matter before God for Him to decide; he submits the facts in regard to himself to God, so that He may pronounce upon them whether they constitute evidence of real piety.For I have walked in mine integrity - On the word “walk,” see the notes at Psalms 1:1. The word “integrity” here is the same... read more

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