What does Psalm 26:1 mean?

David asks the Lord to vindicate him. He longs to have his name cleared from the false charges his enemies were bringing against him. Scripture does not record any event in David's life matching this exact plea. Whatever situation inspired this psalm, we are unsure of its details.

Rather than being guilty, David claims to have walked consistently in integrity. There was nothing hypocritical about David. In reviewing his life David sees that he has always trusted the Lord without fail. A believer may be the target of gossip and false accusations, but he can appeal to the Lord, as David did, for vindication.

When God saves a sinner, He justifies the sinner; that is, God clears the forgiven one of all charges against him (1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 2:1–10). Jesus died for sin; the believer's debt has been paid (Romans 8:1–4). At the Father's right hand, Jesus intercedes for the believer (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). When the Devil accuses the believer of wrongdoing (Revelation 12:10), Jesus turns aside every accusation. The apostle John writes: "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1).