A Study Of Psalm 26 And 27 Series

A Study of Psalm 26 and 27

Psalm 26 and 27

Introduction

- Psalms broken into 5 books, covered an extensive time period

- Gathered together as songs of praise & words of encouragement/warning

- We are studying book 1, Psalm 1-41 … Info: we’ll take break for Advent

- The Psalms have already given us plenty of opportunities to praise

-- The daily challenge for us is this: will we remember what we’ve been told?

- Today, we will examine Psalm 26 & 27 … each with a specific message for us

- Read Psalm 26 - 27 / Pray

Point 1 – Psalm 26 (Walking with Integrity)

- Walking with godly integrity is one of the toughest things we can do

-- It means that despite all that everyone else says, you are faithful to God

-- This is background of this Psalm and shows where David’s heart is

- David has four specific prayers in this Psalm

1. He prays for justification

2. He prays for examination

3. He prays for salvation

4. He prays for confirmation

- Justification: His claim is that he is:

• Blameless before God (v1a); vindicate me

• Faithful to his Lord (v1b); w/o wavering

- Examine and exonerate me:

• Test my heart and try me (v2)

• I am faithful to you by walking in your truth (v3)

• I don’t associate with the deceitful (v4)

• I don’t participate with the evildoers (v5)

• I refuse to sit with the wicked (v5)

- When these come around, I go to your sanctuary (v6) and praise you

-- My heart rejoices at all that you have done … (v7) … and worship you (v8)

-- APP: “I am your servant Lord and am faithful to only you”

- Save me:

• Rescue me from losing my soul (v9)

• Do not count me in with those who refuse you (v9)

• The wicked scheme to wicked things; Lord, I’m not one of them (v10)

• I will lead a blameless life (v11) … DEF: his cry is to be proven faithful

- APP: Sinners will be punished, David prays to not be one of them

-- He knows what is in store (destruction and separation)

-- Heart’s desire is to be counted among the faithful … ref: “examine me”

- IMP: Then, he steps outside of his prayer to declare his loyalty

- Prays for confirmation:

• Speaks in confidence because I am assured (v12)

• Despite everything, I will praise the Lord – esp. in His house (congregation)

- PERSONAL: Even after a tough week, do you sing praises to Him?

- David declares all that he is - is because of the Lord

-- “Prove me faithful to you, Lord” is the declaration of his heart

- APP: Only a man who walks with godly integrity can declare these things

- TRANS: Living with integrity will give us confidence in the Lord

Point 2 – Psalm 27 (Living in Confidence)

- Life challenges bring us opportunity to draw closer to the Lord

-- David records in Psalm 27 what unshakeable confidence looks like

-- Prayerfully, we will see this for ourselves … and want more of it

- There is a sureness in God

• God will provide everything I need; He is my savior (v1)

• God will defeat those who come against me (v2)

• God will strengthen my heart and defend me (v3)

- We are to be committed to God

• I will dwell in God’s house (v4a); prayer of a servant’s heart

• I will delight in God’s house (v4b); I will be proud to be there

• I will deepen in God’s house (v5-6); I will grow when I go there

- Firm challenge here on how we approach His house

-- Is it about us or about Him … for David, it is relational (one grows the other)

-- APP: When he enters God will grow Him. (Incredible insight for us)

- Lists how we should cry out to God for everything

• Hear me (v7)

• Help me (v8-10)

• Teach me (v11a)

• Lead me (v11b)

• Protect Me (v12)

- We should have confidence because of God

• David will escape death and be among the living (v13)

• Shows us waiting for God is a good thing, it causes us to: (v14)

o Be strong

o Take heart

- TRANS: Living confidently does not mean living silently

-- It is a call to be bold … to trust fully in God, instead of your wants

-- David’s reward is clear in Psa. 27:4 – it is all that his heart desires

Big Idea: We are called to live in confidence and with integrity.

- John Owen wrote, “Unless men see a beauty and delight in the worship of God, they will not do it willingly.”