Psalm 26: God's Grace Beyond Causality

Verse 2: Lord, examine me thoroughly, test me, and probe the depths of my heart and mind.

How astonishing is David's prayer. Despite being in the presence of God, David prays that he has lived rightly. He asks God to dig deep into his thoughts and throughout his entire life. Even considering his need for God's advocacy and care, his prayer is audacious and provocative.

If God's grace were conditional upon a righteous life and innocence, David could not expect a response from God. He knows full well that he is a sinner. What could be the reason for such a prayer? He is now pleading with God. If God were to approach him with the measure of cause and effect, David would desire a declaration of innocence. If one were to evaluate a person's life based on causality, would there be anyone who could survive before God! David is now hoping for a miracle. He is imploring for God's grace that transcends human causality. David hopes to stand on the miraculous grace of God, not causality, but the declaration of innocence (justification) (verse 12).