If you know anything of David's life, you might read this psalm and want to scratch your head. How can David claim to have a blameless life? He can because he has trusted God to examine his soul and forgive him over and over again. David knew so much about God's wisdom and understanding and forgiveness! David is testifying that he places the Lord's love ever before him. There is a warning here not to sit or consort with evil men and to refuse to be swayed. David's love for God and his worship was a process of learning and trusting and making mistakes and asking for forgiveness and learning and trusting. So often many of us get discouraged when we feel like failures in the eyes of God. Stop. Read David's life story for the kind of assurance that only God can provide. David came boldly before God here because he knew with total confidence that God loved him completely. He has come to the point in his life that he can say, "My feet stand on level ground, in the great assembly, I will praise the Lord" (Psalm 26:12).

Lord, give each of us this kind of assurance and keep us in your counsel only.

Karen E. Lawson