August 27, 2025 • 12 mins
Title: Psalm 26: Finding Confidence in God’s Vindication and Love
Psalm 26 is David’s plea for vindication and protection from the wicked. In this episode, we discover how confidence before God flows from integrity, separation from sin, and delight in worship. Learn how this psalm brings hope to those navigating emotional, relational, mental, and spiritual struggles, pointing us to Christ and the level ground of God’s steadfast love.
Episode Highlights
- Life often feels unstable—Psalm 26 reminds us that God provides level ground.
- David’s plea for vindication rests not in pride but in God’s justice and mercy (vv. 1–2).
- True loyalty to God requires separation from deceit and harmful influences (vv. 3–5).
- Worship is both cleansing and celebratory, reorienting the heart toward God’s presence (vv. 6–8).
- Vindication and redemption rest not on our works, but on God’s mercy (vv. 9–12).
- Christ is the Righteous One who stands with us and for us, securing our stability.
- Living with integrity becomes a testimony of God’s steadfast love to a watching world.
Resources and Next Steps
- Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
- Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow
- Download devotionals, attend live meetups, and access biblical life training to grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.
ABOUT JAMES and LESSONS FOR LIFE
Are you seeking hope, wisdom, and practical solutions to life’s challenges? Dr. James Long, Jr., pastor, counselor, and professor with over 30 years of experience, helps people discover God’s solutions to emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges. Each episode of Lessons for Life points you to the peace and freedom found in Jesus Christ.
Resources and Next Steps
- Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
- Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow
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Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey everyone, it's James Long Jr and welcome to
Lessons for Life, and we are inour series called Counseling
Through the Psalms.
So do me a favor grab yourBible and a journal and let's
turn to Psalm chapter 26.
Now, psalm 26 is David'sheartfelt plea for God's
vindication and protection fromthe wicked.
This psalm teaches us that trueconfidence before God flows
(00:23):
from integrity, separation fromsin and delight in worship.
It offers encouragement forthose who are navigating
emotional, relational, mentaland spiritual struggles,
reminding us that God'ssteadfast love provides level
ground for our feet.
Now, life oftentimes feels likewe're walking on a slippery
ground.
You probably have felt that waybefore.
(00:44):
Accusations, betrayal,temptation and pressures from
the culture around us can leaveus questioning whether we will
stand or fall.
Now, david knew this feeling sovery well.
In Psalm 26, he prays forvindication, appealing to God's
justice and mercy, whileaffirming his own desire to walk
in integrity.
(01:04):
Now, this psalm is not aself-righteous boasting, but a
prayer of a man clinging toGod's steadfast love and truth.
David acknowledges that hissafety is not found in blending
with the wicked, but separatingfrom that and delighting in
God's presence and trusting inGod's redeeming mercy.
Now, for us today, psalm 26offers a comfort and a challenge
(01:28):
.
It points us to Christ, who isthe only righteous one, who
stands for us and with us, andcalls us to live with integrity
and to display his glory in ourlives.
Well, the first section is aplea for vindication Psalm 26,
verses 1 through 2.
David opens with these boldwords Vindicate me, o Lord, for
(01:48):
I have walked in my integrity.
I have trusted in the Lordwithout wavering.
His appeal is not rooted inpride, but in confidence that
God sees his heart.
He invites God to examine andto test him, even to refine his
mind and his heart like silverin a fire, and to test him even
to refine his mind and his heartlike silver in a fire.
This is a courageous prayer,and few of us will naturally
want God to expose what iswithin us.
(02:10):
Yet spiritual growth requiresthat refining work of the Holy
Spirit.
And for those of you that arebattling with shame or doubt or
emotional troubles, I believethat this passage and I know
that this passage can beincredibly liberating.
God tests us not to condemn us,but to purify us, removing what
is false so that what isgenuine may shine through.
(02:32):
Now, in Christ, we can praythis way without fear, because
Christ is born, our guilt andthe Holy Spirit is sanctifying
us.
We can ask the Father to searchus, because he knows us already
and because we know that Hisdiscipline is in love and that
it will lead us to aneverlasting life.
We saw that in Psalm 139,verses 23 and 24, search me, o
(02:55):
God, and know my heart, try meand know my anxious thoughts,
see if there's any offensive wayin me and lead me in the way
everlasting.
Well, the next section in Psalmchapter 26 is verses three
through five, and it's loyaltyto God and separation from evil.
David contrasts these two pathsthe way of God's steadfast love
(03:16):
and truth and the way ofdeceitful and wicked people.
Now, his life is shaped byGod's covenantal love which
guides his steps, and because ofthis he chooses not to sit with
deceitful people or join withgatherings of evildoers.
Now, this separation is notabout arrogance or
self-superiority.
It's about honesty regardinghis own weakness.
(03:37):
Like us, we need to be verycareful with those who are
around us.
Unlike Christ, we are notimmune to the pull of temptation
, and that's why Scripture warnsus not to be unequally yoked or
to share the works of darkness.
We see that in 2 Corinthians 6,verse 14.
We see that also in Ephesians 5, verse 11.
For those of us that strugglewith emotional or relational
(04:01):
health, we must guard our heartsand our relationships carefully
.
Now, in a counseling arena,this is so important.
I often tell people that thepeople that you surround
yourself with will do a numberof things in your life.
Now, counseling often revealsthe impact that unhealthy
associations and relationshipswill have.
Friendships can often lead tocompromise, environments can
(04:23):
erode your faith andrelationships around you can
cultivate bitterness.
Psalm 26 calls us todiscernment, to walk in god's
truth as a means of not beinginfluenced by the hypocrisy and
deceit of those around us.
Now we need healthy boundaries,and those healthy boundaries
are not isolation, but theirwisdom rooting in God's love.
(04:52):
Now, if you look in verses 6 and8, 6 through 8, we see
integrity expressed in worship.
David does not only separatefrom the wicked, but what he
does is he draws near to God.
It says this I wash my hands ininnocence and go around the
altar, o Lord, proclaimingthanksgiving out loud.
His heart longs for thesanctuary, a place of God's
glory.
Now, for David, worship is bothcleansing and it's celebratory.
(05:13):
It's a declaration of loyaltyand an audible witness of God's
marvelous deeds.
Now, worship steadies the souland it reorients the mind
towards truth.
When anxiety or depressionpresses in, praising God out
loud becomes a spiritual act ofresistance against fear.
Now, for believers today, thesanctuary is not only a physical
(05:34):
temple, but a gathered peopleof God and, ultimately, christ
himself.
That's the true temple.
We see that in John, chapter 2,verses 19 through 21.
To love God's house is to loveGod's people and to delight in
his presence.
And if we want to growspiritually, we must be among
those who treasure his glory andremind one another of his works
(05:57):
.
Now, if we go back to Psalm,chapter 26, verses 9 through 12,
we see a prayer for deliveranceand confidence in God.
Now David's plea deepens.
He says do not sweep my soulaway with sinners, nor my life
with bloodthirsty men.
He knows that the snare of thecompany that is in life may lead
him to sharing the fate intheir judgment.
(06:19):
Instead, he asked God to redeemhim and that he wants him to be
gracious.
Lord, be gracious to me.
And here's the humility thatbalances the earlier confidence.
He doesn't presume onblamelessness, but he depends on
God's mercy.
Vindication is not self-earned,but God-given.
The psalm concludes with thisassurance.
(06:39):
My foot stands on level groundIn the great assembly.
I will bless the Lord.
Now, what a picture this is forus In a world that feels
unstable.
Now, what a picture this is forus.
In a world that feels unstable,god gives level ground.
Through Christ, we are redeemed, spared from the fate of the
wicked and set free to standfirmly secure.
This stability brings peace tothe anxious heart, hope to the
(07:02):
weary and courage to those thatare fearful, and so this is a
powerful psalm that can makeimmense difference in your life.
Now let's look at some of thedoctrinal truths that are
important to remember in thispsalm.
Every psalm is going to provideus doctrinal truths that we
should remember.
The first one that we need tosee is that God vindicates his
(07:22):
people not because of perfection, but because of his steadfast
love.
It's not our performance, butit's God's love.
We saw that in verses 1 through3.
You'll see that as well inRomans, chapter 8, verses 33 and
34.
The second thing that you needto know is that separation from
evil is essential for holinessand health.
We saw that in verses 4 and 5,and you'll see that in 2
(07:43):
Corinthians, chapter 6, verse 17.
Third, we see that worship is anatural response of a redeemed
life, centering us on God'spresence and glory.
We saw that in verses 6 through8, but we also see that in
Hebrews, chapter 10, verses 22through 25.
Next we see salvation rest inGod's redeeming grace, not our
works.
We saw that in verse 11, and ofcourse you'll see that in
(08:06):
Ephesians, chapter 2, verses 8through 9.
And then in Christ we stand onlevel ground, securing God's
mercy and truth.
We saw that in verse 12, butyou'll also see that in Jude,
verse 24.
Now let's take all of thattheology and let's make it
practical, practical theologyliving out this psalm, living
out Psalm 26, means cultivatingintegrity through daily trust in
(08:30):
God, setting the wiseboundaries with sin and harmful
influences and prioritizingworship.
It requires courage to separatefrom the world that is corrupt
and humbly to depend on God'smercy.
And when we stand on levelground in Christ, our lives
become a testimony of hissteadfast love and truth in a
(08:50):
watching world.
Now I want you to take sometime to reflect and respond, and
this is where your journal willbe really helpful.
So grab your journal and if youneed to pause the video or the
audio, please do so.
So here's some questions I wantyou to consider.
How does David's prayer for Godto examine his heart challenge
the way that you approachself-examination before the Lord
(09:11):
?
Second, in what areas of yourlife might you need to set
firmer boundaries againstunhealthy influences or
relationships?
Third, and this is so important, how does worship strengthen
your spiritual and emotionalhealth in seasons of trials and
difficulties and challenges?
Next, what practices help youkeep God's steadfast love and
(09:35):
His truth continually before you?
Next, are there ways thatyou've relied too heavily on
your own integrity rather thantrusting in God's mercy and
God's faithfulness and God'slove?
This is so important.
And then, how can you encourageothers to find level ground in
(09:56):
Christ when their lives feel sounstable and out of balance?
Well, let's pray.
Well, father, we thank you foryour steadfast love and your
faithfulness.
We thank you for the fact thatin Christ, there is level ground
.
We thank you for the fact thatwe can open our hearts to you
and that you see our hearts, andI thank you that, even what you
(10:17):
see in there.
We are still righteous in yoursight because of what your son
has done for us.
He lived a perfect andrighteous life for us.
He died a substitutionary deathfor us.
Lord, I thank you that he rosevictoriously for us, and Holy
Spirit, thank you for the workto transform us and change us.
Thank you for drawing us tofaith and then also giving us
faith.
So fill us with your presencetoday and help us to bring glory
(10:40):
and honor and majesty to yourname.
In Jesus' name, we pray Amen,amen.
Okay, so standing firm on levelground is so important, and
that's what we talk about herein Psalm chapter 26.
Psalm 26 reminds us that when wefeel that life is uncertain and
accusations surround us, we canstand secure on the level
(11:01):
ground of God's steadfast loveand truth.
And by separating from what isfalse and delighting in his
presence and deepening in hisredeeming mercy, our feet can be
steady and our hearts can findpeace.
Well, if this has been helpfulfor you, I would encourage you
to join our free navigator levelof our Lessons for Life
community at jameslongjrorgslash community for devotionals
(11:25):
meetups and training to help youwalk by faith.
Or you can explore one of ourfull memberships at
jameslongjrorg slash.
Sign up now for deeper coachingand content designed to help
you grow in emotional,relational and spiritual wisdom.
So remind yourself that theground before you and beneath
(11:45):
you is firm, that you stand firmin god's love and his steadfast
truth.
All right, well, thank you somuch for being with me.
We look forward to having younext time.
Until that time, be blessedeveryone, take care.
Hey everyone, it's James Long Jr and welcome to
Lessons for Life, and we are inour series called Counseling
Through the Psalms.
So do me a favor grab yourBible and a journal and let's
turn to Psalm chapter 26.
Now, psalm 26 is David'sheartfelt plea for God's
vindication and protection fromthe wicked.
This psalm teaches us that trueconfidence before God flows
(00:23):
from integrity, separation fromsin and delight in worship.
It offers encouragement forthose who are navigating
emotional, relational, mentaland spiritual struggles,
reminding us that God'ssteadfast love provides level
ground for our feet.
Now, life oftentimes feels likewe're walking on a slippery
ground.
You probably have felt that waybefore.
(00:44):
Accusations, betrayal,temptation and pressures from
the culture around us can leaveus questioning whether we will
stand or fall.
Now, david knew this feeling sovery well.
In Psalm 26, he prays forvindication, appealing to God's
justice and mercy, whileaffirming his own desire to walk
in integrity.
(01:04):
Now, this psalm is not aself-righteous boasting, but a
prayer of a man clinging toGod's steadfast love and truth.
David acknowledges that hissafety is not found in blending
with the wicked, but separatingfrom that and delighting in
God's presence and trusting inGod's redeeming mercy.
Now, for us today, psalm 26offers a comfort and a challenge
(01:28):
.
It points us to Christ, who isthe only righteous one, who
stands for us and with us, andcalls us to live with integrity
and to display his glory in ourlives.
Well, the first section is aplea for vindication Psalm 26,
verses 1 through 2.
David opens with these boldwords Vindicate me, o Lord, for
(01:48):
I have walked in my integrity.
I have trusted in the Lordwithout wavering.
His appeal is not rooted inpride, but in confidence that
God sees his heart.
He invites God to examine andto test him, even to refine his
mind and his heart like silverin a fire, and to test him even
to refine his mind and his heartlike silver in a fire.
This is a courageous prayer,and few of us will naturally
want God to expose what iswithin us.
(02:10):
Yet spiritual growth requiresthat refining work of the Holy
Spirit.
And for those of you that arebattling with shame or doubt or
emotional troubles, I believethat this passage and I know
that this passage can beincredibly liberating.
God tests us not to condemn us,but to purify us, removing what
is false so that what isgenuine may shine through.
(02:32):
Now, in Christ, we can praythis way without fear, because
Christ is born, our guilt andthe Holy Spirit is sanctifying
us.
We can ask the Father to searchus, because he knows us already
and because we know that Hisdiscipline is in love and that
it will lead us to aneverlasting life.
We saw that in Psalm 139,verses 23 and 24, search me, o
(02:55):
God, and know my heart, try meand know my anxious thoughts,
see if there's any offensive wayin me and lead me in the way
everlasting.
Well, the next section in Psalmchapter 26 is verses three
through five, and it's loyaltyto God and separation from evil.
David contrasts these two pathsthe way of God's steadfast love
(03:16):
and truth and the way ofdeceitful and wicked people.
Now, his life is shaped byGod's covenantal love which
guides his steps, and because ofthis he chooses not to sit with
deceitful people or join withgatherings of evildoers.
Now, this separation is notabout arrogance or
self-superiority.
It's about honesty regardinghis own weakness.
(03:37):
Like us, we need to be verycareful with those who are
around us.
Unlike Christ, we are notimmune to the pull of temptation
, and that's why Scripture warnsus not to be unequally yoked or
to share the works of darkness.
We see that in 2 Corinthians 6,verse 14.
We see that also in Ephesians 5, verse 11.
For those of us that strugglewith emotional or relational
(04:01):
health, we must guard our heartsand our relationships carefully
.
Now, in a counseling arena,this is so important.
I often tell people that thepeople that you surround
yourself with will do a numberof things in your life.
Now, counseling often revealsthe impact that unhealthy
associations and relationshipswill have.
Friendships can often lead tocompromise, environments can
(04:23):
erode your faith andrelationships around you can
cultivate bitterness.
Psalm 26 calls us todiscernment, to walk in god's
truth as a means of not beinginfluenced by the hypocrisy and
deceit of those around us.
Now we need healthy boundaries,and those healthy boundaries
are not isolation, but theirwisdom rooting in God's love.
(04:52):
Now, if you look in verses 6 and8, 6 through 8, we see
integrity expressed in worship.
David does not only separatefrom the wicked, but what he
does is he draws near to God.
It says this I wash my hands ininnocence and go around the
altar, o Lord, proclaimingthanksgiving out loud.
His heart longs for thesanctuary, a place of God's
glory.
Now, for David, worship is bothcleansing and it's celebratory.
(05:13):
It's a declaration of loyaltyand an audible witness of God's
marvelous deeds.
Now, worship steadies the souland it reorients the mind
towards truth.
When anxiety or depressionpresses in, praising God out
loud becomes a spiritual act ofresistance against fear.
Now, for believers today, thesanctuary is not only a physical
(05:34):
temple, but a gathered peopleof God and, ultimately, christ
himself.
That's the true temple.
We see that in John, chapter 2,verses 19 through 21.
To love God's house is to loveGod's people and to delight in
his presence.
And if we want to growspiritually, we must be among
those who treasure his glory andremind one another of his works
(05:57):
.
Now, if we go back to Psalm,chapter 26, verses 9 through 12,
we see a prayer for deliveranceand confidence in God.
Now David's plea deepens.
He says do not sweep my soulaway with sinners, nor my life
with bloodthirsty men.
He knows that the snare of thecompany that is in life may lead
him to sharing the fate intheir judgment.
(06:19):
Instead, he asked God to redeemhim and that he wants him to be
gracious.
Lord, be gracious to me.
And here's the humility thatbalances the earlier confidence.
He doesn't presume onblamelessness, but he depends on
God's mercy.
Vindication is not self-earned,but God-given.
The psalm concludes with thisassurance.
(06:39):
My foot stands on level groundIn the great assembly.
I will bless the Lord.
Now, what a picture this is forus In a world that feels
unstable.
Now, what a picture this is forus.
In a world that feels unstable,god gives level ground.
Through Christ, we are redeemed, spared from the fate of the
wicked and set free to standfirmly secure.
This stability brings peace tothe anxious heart, hope to the
(07:02):
weary and courage to those thatare fearful, and so this is a
powerful psalm that can makeimmense difference in your life.
Now let's look at some of thedoctrinal truths that are
important to remember in thispsalm.
Every psalm is going to provideus doctrinal truths that we
should remember.
The first one that we need tosee is that God vindicates his
(07:22):
people not because of perfection, but because of his steadfast
love.
It's not our performance, butit's God's love.
We saw that in verses 1 through3.
You'll see that as well inRomans, chapter 8, verses 33 and
34.
The second thing that you needto know is that separation from
evil is essential for holinessand health.
We saw that in verses 4 and 5,and you'll see that in 2
(07:43):
Corinthians, chapter 6, verse 17.
Third, we see that worship is anatural response of a redeemed
life, centering us on God'spresence and glory.
We saw that in verses 6 through8, but we also see that in
Hebrews, chapter 10, verses 22through 25.
Next we see salvation rest inGod's redeeming grace, not our
works.
We saw that in verse 11, and ofcourse you'll see that in
(08:06):
Ephesians, chapter 2, verses 8through 9.
And then in Christ we stand onlevel ground, securing God's
mercy and truth.
We saw that in verse 12, butyou'll also see that in Jude,
verse 24.
Now let's take all of thattheology and let's make it
practical, practical theologyliving out this psalm, living
out Psalm 26, means cultivatingintegrity through daily trust in
(08:30):
God, setting the wiseboundaries with sin and harmful
influences and prioritizingworship.
It requires courage to separatefrom the world that is corrupt
and humbly to depend on God'smercy.
And when we stand on levelground in Christ, our lives
become a testimony of hissteadfast love and truth in a
(08:50):
watching world.
Now I want you to take sometime to reflect and respond, and
this is where your journal willbe really helpful.
So grab your journal and if youneed to pause the video or the
audio, please do so.
So here's some questions I wantyou to consider.
How does David's prayer for Godto examine his heart challenge
the way that you approachself-examination before the Lord
(09:11):
?
Second, in what areas of yourlife might you need to set
firmer boundaries againstunhealthy influences or
relationships?
Third, and this is so important, how does worship strengthen
your spiritual and emotionalhealth in seasons of trials and
difficulties and challenges?
Next, what practices help youkeep God's steadfast love and
(09:35):
His truth continually before you?
Next, are there ways thatyou've relied too heavily on
your own integrity rather thantrusting in God's mercy and
God's faithfulness and God'slove?
This is so important.
And then, how can you encourageothers to find level ground in
(09:56):
Christ when their lives feel sounstable and out of balance?
Well, let's pray.
Well, father, we thank you foryour steadfast love and your
faithfulness.
We thank you for the fact thatin Christ, there is level ground
.
We thank you for the fact thatwe can open our hearts to you
and that you see our hearts, andI thank you that, even what you
(10:17):
see in there.
We are still righteous in yoursight because of what your son
has done for us.
He lived a perfect andrighteous life for us.
He died a substitutionary deathfor us.
Lord, I thank you that he rosevictoriously for us, and Holy
Spirit, thank you for the workto transform us and change us.
Thank you for drawing us tofaith and then also giving us
faith.
So fill us with your presencetoday and help us to bring glory
(10:40):
and honor and majesty to yourname.
In Jesus' name, we pray Amen,amen.
Okay, so standing firm on levelground is so important, and
that's what we talk about herein Psalm chapter 26.
Psalm 26 reminds us that when wefeel that life is uncertain and
accusations surround us, we canstand secure on the level
(11:01):
ground of God's steadfast loveand truth.
And by separating from what isfalse and delighting in his
presence and deepening in hisredeeming mercy, our feet can be
steady and our hearts can findpeace.
Well, if this has been helpfulfor you, I would encourage you
to join our free navigator levelof our Lessons for Life
community at jameslongjrorgslash community for devotionals
(11:25):
meetups and training to help youwalk by faith.
Or you can explore one of ourfull memberships at
jameslongjrorg slash.
Sign up now for deeper coachingand content designed to help
you grow in emotional,relational and spiritual wisdom.
So remind yourself that theground before you and beneath
(11:45):
you is firm, that you stand firmin god's love and his steadfast
truth.
All right, well, thank you somuch for being with me.
We look forward to having younext time.
Until that time, be blessedeveryone, take care.
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