For Your loving devotion is before my eyes
This phrase emphasizes the psalmist's focus on God's steadfast love, often translated as "lovingkindness" or "mercy" in other versions. The Hebrew word "chesed" conveys a sense of covenantal loyalty and faithfulness. In the context of the Psalms, this reflects a deep, personal relationship with God, where His love is a guiding force. The psalmist's awareness of God's loving devotion suggests a life lived in constant recognition of God's presence and benevolence. This mirrors the covenant relationship God established with Israel, as seen in Exodus 34:6-7, where God describes Himself as "abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." The phrase also foreshadows the New Testament revelation of God's love through Jesus Christ, as seen in John 3:16, where God's love is manifested in the giving of His Son.

and I have walked in Your truth
Walking in God's truth implies living a life aligned with His commandments and teachings. The Hebrew concept of "walking" often denotes a way of life or conduct. This phrase suggests a commitment to living according to God's revealed will, as seen in the Torah. The psalmist's declaration of walking in truth indicates a life of integrity and obedience, reminiscent of the call in Deuteronomy 10:12-13 to walk in all God's ways. This commitment to truth is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus declares Himself as "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), indicating that walking in truth is ultimately fulfilled in following Christ. The psalmist's life of truthfulness can be seen as a type of Christ, who perfectly embodied and fulfilled God's truth.

1. David
The author of Psalm 26, David is expressing his confidence in his integrity and his reliance on God's steadfast love and truth.

2. God
The central figure in this verse, whose loving devotion and truth are the focus of David's meditation and life.

3. Temple Worship
While not explicitly mentioned in this verse, the context of Psalm 26 includes themes of worship and seeking God's presence, likely in the temple.Understanding God's Loving Devotion
God's loving devotion, or "chesed" in Hebrew, is a steadfast, covenantal love that is unwavering and faithful. Recognizing this attribute of God can deepen our trust in Him.

Walking in Truth
To walk in God's truth means to live a life aligned with His Word and commandments. It involves daily choices that reflect His character and teachings.

The Importance of Focus
Keeping God's loving devotion "before our eyes" suggests a continual focus and meditation on His attributes. This focus can guide our actions and decisions.

Integrity in Our Walk
David's confidence in his integrity is rooted in his relationship with God. Our integrity should also stem from our commitment to God's truth and love.

Application in Daily Life
Practically, this verse encourages us to evaluate our daily walk: Are we living in a way that reflects God's truth and love? Are we keeping His attributes at the forefront of our minds?(3) For thy lovingkindness . . .--God's favour was before him as an encouragement, and God's truth formed the rule of his life.

Verse 3. - For thy loving-kindness is before mine eyes. The psalmist now enters upon an enumeration of the points of conduct on which his confidence in his integrity rests. They are six - three positive and three negative. First of all, he keeps God's loving-kindness, or mercy (חֶסֶד), ever before his eyes - reflects on it, meditates on it, presents it to his thought - continually. And I have walked in thy truth. Secondly, he walks - he has always walked - in God s truth. God's Law is the truth (Psalm 119:42); and walking in God's truth is walking in the Law which he has given to men; as Hitzig, Maurer, and others have seen. Hengstenberg's exposition, "I have constantly thought upon thy faithfulness," cannot be admitted.

Parallel Commentaries ...


For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

Your loving devotion
חַ֭סְדְּךָ (ḥas·də·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

is before
לְנֶ֣גֶד (lə·ne·ḡeḏ)
Preposition-l
Strong's 5048: A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before

my eyes,
עֵינָ֑י (‘ê·nāy)
Noun - cdc | first person common singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

and I have walked
וְ֝הִתְהַלַּ֗כְתִּי (wə·hiṯ·hal·laḵ·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

in Your truth.
בַּאֲמִתֶּֽךָ׃ (ba·’ă·mit·te·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 571: Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness


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OT Poetry: Psalm 26:3 For your loving kindness is before my (Psalm Ps Psa.)