David probably wrote Psalm 26 when he was in a conflict situation. . He didn’t feel safe. He asked God to show him that he was safe on the basis that he was an honest man who had been honest with God.

We walk with God when He makes us new again, often at a point in our lives when we totally submit to Him and His will for our lives. Only God can make us whole. When we’re right with God then we can start being right with people. It’s a truth that we are only right with God when we put Him before everything else. We ask God to forgive our wrongdoings and we promise to become his servants. Only then do we become whole people . . . on the inside to God and on the outside to others in the world around us.

Here David wrote about God's good ways. These are the rules that God gives us in the Bible. If we don’t obey these rules, or if we sin, the good news for us all is that we can start again. We ask God to forgive us and He does.

In Deuteronomy 21:6-7 we read that people washed their hands. This was done to show that they hadn’t committed murder. We find the same idea in verse 6 although it’s not just about murder but anything that is wrong.  Verse 6 also refers to the altar of the LORD. There were two altars in the tabernacle and the temple. The main, larger altar was where the sacrifices were made and offered to the lord and then a smaller altar where they burnt incense.

At the time David wrote this Psalm the house of God was still the Tabernacle, a large and elaborate tent designed by God Himself. The specific design and all of its furnishings can be found in Exodus 26. In verse 8 David expresses his love for God’s Tabernacle. It’s important to realise that at that time it was believed that God resided within the Tabernacle as well as in heaven. In verse 9 David asks God to take him away from sinners. David was not without sin but his sin had been forgiven and he knew that. Therefore, here at the end of this Psalm he pleads with God to redeem him. Surely because he ultimately wants to be with God in heaven. The level ground in verse 12 is a safe place.

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Heavenly Father. You alone are God and I worship you will all my heart, mind, body and strength. Help me Lord to always be honest with you, knowing that you know me better than I know myself. Amen.