Psalm 26

Prayer for Vindication

Of David.

Vindicate me, Lord,
because I have lived with integrity
and have trusted in the Lord without wavering.(A)
Test me, Lord, and try me;
examine my heart and mind.(B)
For your faithful love guides me,[a]
and I live by your truth.(C)

I do not sit with the worthless
or associate with hypocrites.
I hate a crowd of evildoers,
and I do not sit with the wicked.(D)
I wash my hands in innocence(E)
and go around your altar, Lord,(F)
raising my voice in thanksgiving(G)
and telling about your wondrous works.(H)

Lord, I love the house where you dwell,
the place where your glory resides.(I)
Do not destroy me along with sinners,
or my life along with men of bloodshed(J)
10 in whose hands are evil schemes
and whose right hands are filled with bribes.(K)

11 But I live with integrity;
redeem me and be gracious to me.(L)
12 My foot stands on level ground;(M)
I will bless the Lord in the assemblies.(N)

Footnotes

  1. 26:3 Lit love is in front of my eyes

By David.

26 Judge me, Yahweh, for I have walked in my integrity.
    I have trusted also in Yahweh without wavering.
Examine me, Yahweh, and prove me.
    Try my heart and my mind.
For your loving kindness is before my eyes.
    I have walked in your truth.
I have not sat with deceitful men,
    neither will I go in with hypocrites.
I hate the assembly of evildoers,
    and will not sit with the wicked.
I will wash my hands in innocence,
    so I will go about your altar, Yahweh,
    that I may make the voice of thanksgiving to be heard
    and tell of all your wondrous deeds.
Yahweh, I love the habitation of your house,
    the place where your glory dwells.
Don’t gather my soul with sinners,
    nor my life with bloodthirsty men
10     in whose hands is wickedness;
    their right hand is full of bribes.

11 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity.
    Redeem me, and be merciful to me.
12 My foot stands in an even place.
    In the congregations I will bless Yahweh.