A Man's Friends

David, a man after God’s own heart, knew how to choose his friends. Psalm 26 gives us a good picture of his friends and “non-friends.”

His friends were:

            First and foremost, his God (verses 1-3)

            God’s house (v. 8)

            Other believers (v. 12)

These were people he didn’t hang out with:

            Vain persons (v. 4)

            Dissenters (v. 4)

            A bunch of evildoers (v. 5)

            The wicked (v. 5)

            Sinners (v. 9)

            Violent men (v. 9)

            Men out to do mischief (v. 10)

            Men who accept bribes (v. 10)

I love these verses, which so clearly express David’s love for God and for personal holiness:

            I have walked in thy truth (v. 3b).

            I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:

                That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all 
                thy wondrous works (vs. 6-7).

            But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity (v. 11a).

            My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the 
                LORD (v.12).

Imagine young men today making these statements! Thankfully, some do.