The Daily Office for October 23, 2012
Scripture Readings
Old Testament
Psalm
New Testament
Gospel
Reflection
Psalm 26 is David’s plea for vindication by the Lord on the basis of his integrity. In this psalm David appears as a man enduring great reproach. As such, he is a type of the Great Son of David, Jesus Christ the Lord, and is an encouraging example for all of us who bear the burden of slander to take that burden to the throne of grace.
It is quite obvious that the psalmist has been falsely accused, but David’s references to personal righteousness are not to convince God that he should not be defamed. David is not sinlessly perfect. We must understand those references in relation to verse 11, which clearly cancels out the spirit of self-righteousness. As a man greatly defamed, he simply rises in protest, asking the Lord, who knows the psalmist’s inner motives, to vindicate him and protect him from his enemies.
David begs to be judged in his own integrity because he has done all God has asked. He has trusted in God; he has walked in God’s commandments; and he is free of the offense for which he has been slandered. The psalmist wants to be reassured by God that there is no improper motive in his obtaining the crown or in the way he has exercised his duties as king.
Collect for the Day
God, the giver of life, whose Holy Spirit wells up within your Church: by the Spirit’s gifts equip us to live the gospel of Christ and make us eager to do your will, that we may share with the whole creation the joys of eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.