A Psalm of David. Vindicate [judge] me, O LORD, For I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the LORD; I shall not slip. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth. I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go in with hypocrites. I have hated the assembly of evildoers, And will not sit with the wicked. I will wash my hands in innocence; So I will go about Your altar, O LORD, That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works. LORD, I have loved the habitation of Your house, And the place where Your glory dwells. Do not gather my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloodthirsty men, In whose hands is a sinister scheme, And whose right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me and be merciful to me. My foot stands in an even place; In the congregations I will bless the LORD.

These are the words of a man who is faithful and holy — the Psalm sets out the truth that faith and holiness are inseparable. David, the author, is one who has put his faith and trust in the Lord God; he has separated from the wickedness of this world, un-entangled from the tentacles of greed, and pride, and lust, and covetousness which is idolatry (v 4) (See Colossians 3:5). Holiness can have nothing to do with wickedness. He hates the wickedness of those that pollute the faithful; he does not deal with the apostate; those that preach falsehood or who attempt to corrupt the congregation (the local church) which the Apostles Paul and Peter also warn about (e.g. see 2 Peter 2). His words are strong — he hates the evildoers. God in like manner hates the Nicolaitans who corrupt the truth (Rev 2:6, 15). The world wants us to tolerate all things including those who despise and reject our Lord. His enemies are his own people; and as Paul and Peter show, its corrupt men in the church that can bring down a congregation. We must test all things; we must check all things against Scripture like those in the early church (Acts 17:11).

He sounds like he is boasting but he is not. David has a constant regard for God even though he has suffered much; for he has escaped persecution of his father-in-law, King Saul, who time after time attempted to kill him. He can honestly say; "I shall not slip", and so can we. A man or woman in Christ' is safe, safe in the arms of Jesus; we have been brought near to God (Eph 2:13) having been raised up to sit in heavenly places (Eph 2:6). This is our position; it cannot be lost.

He seeks testing to ensure the steadfastness of his faith; "prove me", "try me" he requests of the Lord. He does so, not for his own gain or status, but rather so he can proclaim the name of the Lord that saves, with thanksgiving. He does what Paul urges a Christian to do: "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realise this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?" (2 Corinthians 13:5)

He finishes with adoration of the LORD —"I will bless the LORD"; his sole motive is to bring glory to God. Is this your mission in life?

Questions for reflection
1. Are you bold enough to ask God to test you and to try you, so you may grow strong and be of better service to Him? Reflect upon this before answering — testing may not be easy.
2. Are there things in your life that you tolerate, but God hates? What will you do about these?