INTEGRITY

Integrity is uprightness of purpose and rectitude of dealing. The psalmist begins with a claim, “I have walked in mine integrity”, v. 1, and he ends with a resolve, “as for me, I will walk in mine integrity”, v. 11. Here is the appeal of a conscious integrity for recognition and vindication, “Judge me” (“Do me justice”), v. 1. Consciously to claim integrity, as the psalmist does here, may be something that we may well shrink from doing. Yet the psalmist is not unaware of the peril of sin, vv. 4, 5, 9, 10, of the danger of association, or of the need for deliverance and mercy, v. 11. He knows that God is the only Object of trust, v. 1, and that all goodness flows from Him, v. 3. Conscious of these things, he calls upon God to do him justice, pleading the integrity of his life and offering himself to the searching scrutiny of the All-knowing One, upon whose loving kindness and faithfulness he bases his confidence. He does not claim a sinless life, but asserts a sincere and constant endeavour to walk uprightly. Sincerity of purpose and single- heartedness of devotion have been the rule of his life. He has not only walked in his integrity, but also in God’s truth, v. 3.

This is a remarkable testimony, and is offered to the Searcher of hearts, a claim of utter honesty of life and purpose. Happy the man who, knowing what God requires of him, can confidently and without fear advance the same appeal. It has not been achieved in his own strength; he has “trusted also in the Lord”, v. 1. His prayer not only makes a claim of integrity; it also expresses his desire that if anything of evil remains, it might be purged away, v. 2.

Two words are used to describe the thoroughness of the scrutiny that he calls for. “Examine me”, he says, inviting a test that brings him into circumstances that will demonstrate the reality of his faith. “Try me”, he says, as the refiner smelts gold to get rid of any remaining dross. He desires to keep nothing back; he will submit himself to the searching flame of the great Refiner. His “reins”, the seat of affections, and his “heart”, the seat of thought and will, are open to scrutiny. The process may be painful, but he has no fear for the result, since He knows God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness, v. 3.