John Calvin Commentary Psalms 26:2

"Examine me, O Jehovah, and prove me; Try my heart and my mind." — Psalms 26:2 (ASV)

Prove me, O Jehovah! The more David observed himself basely and undeservedly pursued with slanders, the more powerfully he was moved by the intensity of his grief to fearlessly assert his righteousness. Nor does he merely clear himself of outward sins; he also glories in the uprightness of his heart and the purity of its affections, implicitly comparing himself, at the same time, with his enemies.

As they were blatant hypocrites, proudly boasting of their reverence for God, David exposes their shameless audacity and insolence before Him. This declaration also shows how well he knew himself, when he dared to offer to submit the deepest parts of his heart to God’s examination.

However, it should be noted that it was the wickedness of his enemies that forced him to praise himself so much. If he had not been unjustly condemned by men, he would have humbly sought to avoid such an examination, since he knew well, despite his zeal to do what was right, that he was far from perfection.

But when he felt himself to be falsely accused, the injustice and cruelty of men emboldened him to appeal to God’s judgment-seat without hesitation. And as he knew that an external appearance of innocence was of no avail there, he presents the honest uprightness of his heart. The distinction which some make here, that the heart signifies the higher affections, and the reins those that are sensual (as they term them) and more coarse, is more clever than sound.

We know that the Hebrews understood by the term reins the innermost aspects of a person. David, therefore, conscious of his innocence, offers his whole being to God’s examination; not like careless, or rather stupid men, who, flattering themselves, imagine that they will deceive God with their pretenses.

It is evident, on the contrary, that he had honestly and thoroughly searched himself before he presented himself with such confidence in the divine presence. And we must especially remember this, if we wish to obtain God’s approval: that when unjustly persecuted, we must not only abstain from retaliation but also persevere in a right spirit.