Psalm 26

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Psalm 26

Plea for Justice and Declaration of Righteousness

Of David.

¹Vindicate me, O Lord,
    for I have walked in my integrity,
    and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.^(A)
²Prove me, O Lord, and try me;
    test my heart and mind.^(B)
³For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
    and I walk in faithfulness to you.^[a]^(C)

⁴I do not sit with the worthless,
nor do I consort with hypocrites;^(D)
⁵I hate the company of evildoers
and will not sit with the wicked.^(E)

⁶I wash my hands in innocence
and go around your altar, O Lord,^(F)
⁷singing aloud a song of thanksgiving
and telling all your wondrous deeds.^(G)

⁸O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell
    and the place where your glory abides.^(H)
⁹Do not sweep me away with sinners
    nor my life with the bloodthirsty,^(I)
¹⁰those in whose hands are evil devices
    and whose right hands are full of bribes.^(J)

¹¹But as for me, I walk in my integrity;
redeem me and be gracious to me.^(K)
¹²My foot stands on level ground;
in the great congregation I will bless the Lord.^(L)

Footnotes

26.3 Or in your faithfulness

Psalm 26

The Message

26 Clear my name, God;
I’ve kept an honest shop.
I’ve thrown in my lot with you, God, and
I’m not budging.

²Examine me, God, from head to foot,
order your battery of tests.
Make sure I’m fit
inside and out

³So I never lose
sight of your love,
But keep in step with you,
never missing a beat.

^4-5I don’t hang out with tricksters,
I don’t pal around with thugs;
I hate that pack of gangsters,
I don’t deal with double-dealers.

^6-7I scrub my hands with purest soap,
    then join hands with the others in the great circle,
    dancing around your altar, God,
Singing God-songs at the top of my lungs,
    telling God-stories.

^8-10God, I love living with you;
    your house glows with your glory.
When it’s time for spring cleaning,
    don’t sweep me out with the quacks and crooks,
Men with bags of dirty tricks,
    women with purses stuffed with bribe-money.

^11-12You know I’ve been aboveboard with you;
now be aboveboard with me.
I’m on the level with you, God;
I bless you every chance I get.

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)

The Message (MSG)

Psalm 26 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition