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.”
- I believe this is an incredible challenge for us today
-- Do we delight in what God offers; in what living for Him does for us?
-- David knew that God provided everything … are we committed like this?
- Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
- Do we believe it? Pray.
* Special thanks to Holman Old Testament Commentary for the foundational outline of this sermon.
