David’s Plea For Vindication

Commentary

This Psalm seems to refer to a time of national crisis when people were dying under the judgment of God. It is not known exactly when this was. With disaster taking place all around him, David was not claiming to be sinless because that is impossible for any human being to achieve. He puts himself under the searchlight of God. There are six characteristics we can see in David’s life that would be good for us to examine in our life.

1. Open life (vv. 1-2) – David says, “judge me” and search my thoughts and attitudes.
2. Obedient life  (v. 3) – He says, “I have walked according to thy word.”
3. Overcoming life (vv. 4-6) – David deliberately separated himself from worthless, hypocritical and wicked men.
4. Overflowing life (vv. 7-8) – David was praising the Lord because his life was geared to pleasing the Lord.
5. Obstructed life (vv. 9-10) – He wanted no part with evil men. He seems to  be saying “Lord, if you see me leaning toward  people like that, do something about it. Keep me from them.”
6. Ordered life (vv. 11-12) – David knows that in order to work in an orderly manner he must conform to the principles of God’s Word.

Should we stay away from unbelievers? No, but there is a difference between being with unbelievers and being one of them. Trying to be one of them harms our witness for God (vv. 4-5). Too often we complain about our problems to anyone who will listen and praise God only in private. How much better it would be for us to complain privately and praise God publicly (v. 12).

Application

Of the six things listed above what do I need to work on the most? I need to be willing to put the searchlight on my life as David did?