By David.
David wrote this song, but the time period and historical event is unclear and most likely unrecorded in Scripture.
26:1 Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have integrity, and I trust in the Lord without wavering.
The Hebrew word for “vindicate” is שָׁפְטֵ֤נִי (shaptani), meaning to judge. David asked Jehovah to listen to his case and to judge it. David defended himself by claiming that he had integrity in this case. He was trusting in Jehovah to make a fair decision.
26:2 Examine me, O Lord, and test me! Evaluate my inner thoughts and motives!
David asked Jehovah to examine his inner thoughts and motives. No human judge can do this, This is why Jehovah is the only righteous Judge.
26:3 For I am ever aware of your faithfulness, and your loyalty continually motivates me.
David was aware of Jehovah’s skills as a Judge of the universe. Jehovah’s faithfulness and loyalty motivated David to lead a righteous life.
26:4 I do not associate with deceitful men, or consort with those who are dishonest.
David did not associate with evil men.
26:5 I hate the mob of evil men, and do not associate with the wicked.
David hated mobs, because they were evil. Mobs let go of their human depravity.
26:6 I maintain a pure lifestyle, so I can appear before your altar, O Lord, 26:7 to give you thanks, and to tell about all your amazing deeds.
David kept the Mosaic Law. He wanted to be able to come to the altar with a clean conscience. The lambs on the altar all pointed to the atonement of Christ.
David wanted to appear at the altar and give Jehovah thanks. He wanted to tell others about their good deeds.
26:8 O Lord, I love the temple where you live, the place where your splendor is revealed.
Jehovah’s temple was in heaven. The tabernacle was pattered after the temple in heaven. Jehovah is omnipresent, so He lives individually in His temple in heaven. He also lives simultaneously all over the universe and in every believer.
26:9 Do not sweep me away with sinners, or execute me along with violent people,
David asked that he not meet death with sinners or evil men.
26:10 who are always ready to do wrong or offer a bribe.
These evil men were always looking to do wicked things. They were always ready to take a bribe. Jehovah was the righteous Judge of the universe who could not be bribed.
26:11 But I have integrity! Rescue me and have mercy on me!
What is integrity? The Hebrew word is תֹּם (tom), meaning blameless, full, full measure, innocent, integrity, random, and upright. Only those who believe in Jehovah are upright. They are justified as blameless by the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. They come to their completeness by sanctification. Sanctification is Jehovah’s personal training program for each individual believer.
26:12 I am safe, and among the worshipers I will praise the Lord.
David is safe, because Jehovah is his refuge and shield. God places a hedge around believers in which the satanic forces cannot penetrate. This is true with believers also. If a man is doing the will of God, then Satan will ask God to remove the hedge so that he can attempt to bring the believers down. God will never allow a believer to be tempted in more than he can handle. Job must have been doing great work in the kingdom of God for Satan to personally ask God to remove his hedge. All believers are safe in the Lord Jesus Christ.