Reflections on the Psalms (Psalm 26)

"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 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."

Have you ever wondered what you might say to God when you meet Him?  Or what you might want to say if you knew you were going to die?  Reading this Psalm makes me hope that I can pray this prayer on my death bed.  I hope I can look back on my life and repeat these words.  I think of the boldness of a person who has been studying for a test for a long time and is ready to take it.  Its a confidence that says, "bring it on, I am going to ace the test."

I think the root of the prayer lies in the fact that to pray this prayer we have to be mindful of Gods unfailing love at all times.  The words unfailing love are repeated multiple times in the Old Testament to remind us that Gods love is not like human love, it never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out.  Knowing this we can rely on the faithfulness of Gods love and his covenant with us.  What a great thing to be able to say:

"My feet stand on level ground;

in the great congregation

I will praise the Lord."

Listen to this song and reflect on the words.