Psalms 26:11

Psa 26:11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.

Ver. 11. But as for me, I will walk] Whatever others do, their example shall be no rule to me to deviate. See my Righteous Man’s Recompense, D. 1.

Redeem me, &c.] For I am likely to suffer deeply for my singularity.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

11. (Psa 26:11) And I in my integrity will walk; redeem me and be merciful to me. The use of the conjunction and emphatic pronoun is the same as in Psa 2:6 above. Our idiom would require an adversative conjunction, but I, in opposition to the sinners just described, but as for me, I will still walk as I have done in sincerity and simplicity of purpose. The obvious contrast of the tenses here and in Psa 26:1, may serve to shew how seldom they are used promiscuously or confounded.—That the Psalmist's perfection or integrity was neither absolute nor inherent, is clear from the petition of the last clause. He expects still to be perfect, not because he is without sin, but because he hopes to be redeemed from its dominion through the mercy of Jehovah.

Joseph Addison Alexander, The Psalms Translated and Explained (1850) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

But, &c.--He contrasts his character and destiny with that of the wicked (compare Psa 26:1-2).

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 11. But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity] Whatever I may have to do with public affairs, shall be done with the strictest attention to truth, justice, and mercy.

Redeem me] From all snares and plots laid against my life and my soul.

And be merciful unto me.] I deserve no good, but thou art merciful; deal with me ever in thy mercy.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

11. But I will walk in mine integrity. In this repetition there is to be remarked a circumstance which more clearly illustrates David’s righteousness; namely, that, in the midst of so many temptations, he steadily held on his way. He saw many become suddenly rich by gifts, as we still see those who sit at the helm of affairs accumulating to themselves, in a very brief space, a great abundance of wealth, building sumptuous palaces, and extending their lands far and wide. As no allurements could induce him to imitate their example in this, he gave a proof of rare and heroic virtue. He therefore affirms with truth, that although the world accounted them happy, he had not been seduced from his wonted integrity, that thus it might appear that he ascribed more to the providence of God than to evil practices. He, therefore, beseeches God to redeem him, because, being oppressed with wrongs, and tempted in various ways, he relied only on God, trusting that he would deliver him. From this we may conclude, that he was at this time reduced to great straits. He adds, Be merciful to me, by which he shows that this deliverance flows from the grace of God, as its true source; and we have already seen that the cause is often put for the effect.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

11. With such evil-doers the Psalmist contrasts himself. His purpose, if his life is spared, is to shape his conduct as hitherto; and therefore he prays redeem me (Psa_25:22), deliver me from the fate of the wicked, and be gracious unto me (Psa_4:1, note).

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity,.... In which he had hitherto walked, Psa 26:1; or it may express his faith, that after he was gathered by death he should walk in uprightness and righteousness, in purity and perfection, with Christ in white, and behold the face of God in righteousness; see Isa 57:1;

redeem me; from the vain conversation of the wicked, from all troubles, and out of the hands of all enemies;

and be merciful unto me; who was now in distress, being persecuted by Saul, and at a distance from the house of God: this shows that mercy is the source and spring of redemption, both temporal and spiritual; and that the psalmist did not trust in and depend upon his present upright walk and conversation, but in redemption by Christ, and upon the mercy of God in Christ.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

But as for me - The Hebrew is, “and I.” But there is evidently a contrast between what he purposed to do, and the course of life pursued by those to whom he had just referred; and this is correctly expressed in our translation, “But as for me.” It is a statement of his profession of piety, and of his purpose to lead a religious life. He “meant” - he solemnly “purposed” - to lead a holy life.

I will walk - I will live a life of integrity. See the notes at Psa 1:1.

In mine integrity - Hebrew, in my “perfection.” See Psa 7:8, note; Job 1:1, note. The idea is that he intended to live a life of uprightness.

Redeem me - From sin; from trouble; from death. The word “redeem” here implies that he did not claim to be “perfect” in the most absolute sense, even when he expressed his purpose to lead a life of integrity. He felt still that he was a sinner, and that he was dependent on redeeming mercy for salvation. On the word “redeem,” see Psa 25:22, note; Isa 29:22, note. Compare the notes at Isa 43:3.

And be merciful to me - In connection with redemption. The prayer for mercy is always an acknowledgment of guilt, and the plea here shows that with all his purposes of holy living, and notwithstanding all that he had referred to in the psalm as evidence of uprightness of intention and integrity of life, he still felt that he was a sinner, and that his only hope was in the mercy of God.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Ver. 11. Here is the lover of godliness entering his personal protest against unrighteous gain. He is a Nonconformist, and is ready to stand alone in his Nonconformity. Like a live fish, he swims against the stream. Trusting in God, the psalmist resolves that the plain way of righteousness shall be his choice, and those who will, may prefer the tortuous paths of violence and deceit. Yet, he is by no means a boaster, or a self righteous vaunter of his own strength, for he cries for redemption and pleads for mercy. Our integrity is not absolute nor inherent, it is a work of grace in us, and is marred by human infirmity; we must, therefore, resort to the redeeming blood and to the throne of mercy, confessing that though we are saints among men, we must still bow as sinners before God.

Ver. 11. The best men needing redemption and mercy; or the outward walk before men, and the secret walk with God.

Psalms 26:12*

Charles H. Spurgeon's The Treasury of David (1869–1885) — public domain. Psalms only. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

11. But as for me—Against all the forms of evil and evil men described hitherto, the psalmist opposes his own purpose and desire to “walk in his integrity.” This is the reason why his prayer should be heard.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity; i.e. I will continue to walk as I have walked hitherto (see ver. 1) I will be "integer vitae scelerisque purus a brave and good resolve. Had he but kept to it! Redeem me, and be merciful unto me (compare the comment on ver. 1). Though hitherto he has walked innocently, and is resolved still to continue to walk innocently; he nevertheless feels that he has need of redeeming mercy. Though he "knows nothing by himself, yet he is not thereby justified". (1Co_4:4) Many, doubtless, are his "secret sins," which God has "set in the light of his countenance". (Psa_90:8)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

redeem

(See Scofield "Isa 59:20") See Scofield "Exo 14:30"

The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

But as for me

This phrase shows that the writer is changing from speaking about wicked people to talking about himself.

I will walk in integrity

"Walk" here is a metaphor for behavior. AT: "I will behave with integrity" (See: Metaphor)

My foot stands

Here "foot" represents the whole person. AT: "I stand" (See: Synecdoche)

level ground

Possible meanings are that "level ground" represents 1) a safe place or 2) right behavior (See: Metaphor)

in the assemblies will I bless Yahweh

"when I gather with the people of Israel I will praise you"

translationWords

walk

integrity

redeem

mercy

assembly

bless

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.