The Truth In Print Vol 14 Issue 2, March 2008
A Publication of the Valley church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)

Vindication Based Upon One’s Righteousness, Integrity

Introduction:

Dear reader, this article is linked with a prior article, May 2007 titled “The Way of Integrity, Psalms 119.” You may wish read that article having read this one should you desire to learn more about integrity from the Bible. It can be found in our Article Directory, or simply under the “I” alphabetical file with this heading. At any rate that prior study from Ps. 119 defined the word “blameless” as meaning complete, having integrity (Ps. 119:1) . This study will be a continuation of integrity as defined from Psalms 119 as well as other Psalms.

The afore mentioned study included the following outline definition of Integrity:

I. The Way Of Integrity, Ps. 119:1-8.

1. To Walk In the Law Of the Lord, vs. 1.

2. To Observe His Testimonies, vs. 2.

3. To Seek Him With All The Heart, vs. 2.

4. To Do No Unrighteousness, vs. 3.

5. To Have No Reason To Be Ashamed, vs.

6. To Pray With Uprightness Of Heart, vs. 7.

7. The Desire To Learn His Judgments, vs.

a. That certainly connects to having no reason to be ashamed.

8. The Resolve To Keep God’s Statutes, vs.

(See http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/integrityps119.htm )

I. Pleading For Protection Against the Wicked, Ps. 119:121-128.

A. “I have done justice and righteousness; Do not leave me to my oppressors” (Ps. 119:121). His integrity was the basis for crying out for God’s protection. He considered “all” of God’s precepts to be right; he hated “every” false way (Ps. 119:128).

II. One’s Hope For Deliverance, Ps. 119:129-136.

A. His hope of redemption from man’s oppression (outward) is based upon not letting any iniquity have inward dominion over him in answer to his prayer, Ps. 119:134, 133.

B. His grief concerning the conduct of those who persecuted him was because they did not keep God’s law, and not just over his own mistreatment.

III. Asking God For Vindication, Psalms 7.

A. Concerned reader this is a short Psalm of only 17 verses. Why not read this Psalm as you consider the below points? David expresses his innocence with, “The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me” (Ps. 7:8).

1. This is important to understanding vindication: David asked God for His righteous vindication because God tries the hearts and knows the inner man, thus His vindication is always just, Ps. 7:9-11.

2. Whoever “Cush” was (see the heading) it appears that he had charged David with wicked actions. The design of David is to deny the false charges against him altogether, Ps. 7:3-4.

3. God is a just judge and angry with the wicked every day, Ps. 7:11. Verses 12-16 state the path of self destruction when one will not repent, thus they are filled with their own ways. This “path” is a familiar topic throughout the book. David understood how evil hunts the violent man to recompense him for his deeds (cp. Ps.140:9-11). Like Haman in Esther who hung on his own gallows he’d built for Mordecai (Esther 7).

4. As for the upright Solomon said, “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them” (Pr. 11:3).

5. Integrity always involves thanksgivings and praise (Ps. 17:7). This praise is understood in the sense of, “I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor. Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence” (Ps. 140:12-13).

IV. Who Is Fit For Communion With God, Ps. 15.

This Psalm only has five verses. Why not read it? It says only those who walk in integrity, and work righteousness, and speak the truth are fit for communion with God. Notice the important points made concerning not slandering, not doing evil to another, not taking up a reproach against another, not taking bribes, etc. We are taught to keep promises even to our own loss. Also notice that God requires that we not respect a reprobate!

V. What Preserves When In Distress, Ps. 25:20-21.

Here integrity and uprightness preserves (keeps, protects, maintains) one when in distress (Ps. 25:20-21). Our “plan” at such times is understanding and keeping God’s word. Part of this plan is knowing that integrity will preserve the faithful: “Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee” (Pr. 2:11). Also, God can “maintain” us even when we are not aware of His providence at work.

3. Ps.25:3 states that the those who are treacherous without cause will be ashamed. Since none who wait for the Lord with integrity will be ashamed, there is no reason for any of the faithful to give in to anxiety.

VI. The “I Haves” of Integrity, Ps. 26.

Ps. 26:1 continues with this theme, integrity, as mentioned in 25:21. Look at the “I haves” of integrity in this list:

1. I have walked in my integrity, 26:1.

2. I have trusted in the Lord, 26:1.

3. Confidence is expressed in “I shall not slip,” 26:1.

4. I ask God to examine and test my heart, Ps. 26:2. Compare the points in Ps. 7 above.

5. I state that God’s lovingkindness is before my eyes, Ps. 26:3.

6. I have walked in Your truth, Ps. 26:3.

7. I have not sat with idolaters, Ps. 26:4.

8. I will not go in with hypocrites, Ps. 26:4.

9. I have hated the assembly of evil doers, Ps. 26:5.

10. I will not sit with the wicked, Ps. 26:5.

11. I know innocence is necessary for worship, Ps. 26:6. Acceptable praise and worship of God is dependent upon “all” of these mentioned, Ps. 26:7-12.

VII. David’s Integrity, Ps. 101.

David’s life and work of old must not be forgotten. This Psalm explains how David led Israel with integrity. Notice the repetition of points from the lesson:

1. He had a desire to sing of God’s mercy and justice, vs. 1.

2. His behavior would be “perfect” or blameless which is the way of integrity, vs. 2.

3. He would hate the work of those who fall away, vs. 3.

4. He would rid himself of a perverse heart and not know wickedness, vs. 4.

5. He would destroy the slanderers and the arrogant look and proud heart he would not endure, vs. 5.

6. His eyes would be on the faithful and they would dwell with him and serve him, vs. 6.

7. The one who works deceit would not dwell in his house or continue in his presence, vs. 7.

8. Daily he would destroy the wicked and cut off the evil doers from among God’s people, vs. 8.

Dear reader the repetition of these good encouragements concerning integrity as the basis for one’s vindication is necessary. Repetition is needed lest we deny by our actions what we claim with our mouths, i.e. the right to God’s righteous vindication.

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