Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered. Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.
I do not sit with the deceitful, nor do I associate with hypocrites. I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, Lord, proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds.
Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells. Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with those who are bloodthirsty, in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes. I lead a blameless life; deliver me and be merciful to me.
My feet stand on level ground; in the great congregation I will praise the Lord.
Sometimes you find yourself in an environment which makes you feel uncomfortable or around people who make you feel uncomfortable just by being around them. We can't always control those things because of our obligations. The psalmist asks God here, in these verses, for him not to lump him together with the people around him. He says: "Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness." He is living the faithful life, always mindful of God's presence and his love. I'm actually envious because it is a goal that I would like to achieve.
When he looks around though, he can see that not everyone is living that way. He sees the destructive lifestyles and the dishonest choices. He knows where these lead and he is afraid that he will be swept up in the consequences. I can understand this. Bystanders get shot, noncombatants get hurt, collateral damage happens. We stay close because we care, but we also get hurt because we care. So I hope to maintain my courage and my integrity when I see these things happen--courage to do the loving thing and not the easy thing and integrity to do the right thing.
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