Prüfe mich, Gott!

26 Von David.

Verschaffe mir Recht, Herr, denn ich bin unschuldig!
    Dir vertraue ich, nichts soll mich davon abbringen.

Vor dir, Herr, kann ich nichts verbergen,
    prüfe meine geheimsten Gedanken und Gefühle!
Deine Liebe habe ich ständig vor Augen,
    und deine Treue bestimmt mein Leben.
Ich lasse mich nicht mit denen ein, die ein falsches Spiel treiben.
    Von Heuchlern halte ich mich fern.
Wenn sich Verbrecher zusammentun, bin ich nicht dabei;
    mit Gottlosen will ich nichts zu tun haben.
Ich wasche meine Hände zum Zeichen meiner Unschuld,
    so darf ich mich deinem Altar nähern und ihn feierlich umschreiten.
Dabei stimme ich ein Loblied an
    und erzähle von all deinen Wundern.
Herr, dein Haus ist erfüllt von deiner Herrlichkeit;
    an diesem Ort hängt mein Herz.

Bring mich nicht um wie die Sünder;
    behandle mich nicht wie blutgierige Mörder!
10 Wie viele Verbrechen haben sie auf dem Gewissen,
    wie viel Bestechungsgeld ist durch ihre Hände gegangen!
11 Aber ich habe mir nichts zuschulden kommen lassen.
    Hab Erbarmen mit mir und erlöse mich!

12 Jetzt stehe ich wieder auf sicherem Grund.
    Herr, vor deiner Gemeinde will ich dich dafür preisen!

Psalm 26

Of David.

26 Establish justice for me, Lord,
    because I have walked with integrity.
    I’ve trusted the Lord without wavering.
Examine me, Lord; put me to the test!
    Purify[a] my mind[b] and my heart.
Because your faithful love is right in front of me—
    I walk in your truth!
I don’t spend time with people up to no good;
    I don’t keep company with liars.
I detest the company of evildoers,
    and I don’t sit with wicked people.
I wash my hands—they are innocent!
    I walk all around your altar, Lord,
        proclaiming out loud my thanks,
        declaring all your wonderful deeds!
I love the beauty[c] of your house, Lord;
    I love the place where your glory resides.

Don’t gather me[d] up with the sinners,
    taking my life along with violent people
10     in whose hands are evil schemes,
    whose strong hands are full of bribes.
11 But me? I walk with integrity.
    Save me! Have mercy on me!

12 My feet now stand on level ground.
    I will bless the Lord in the great congregation.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 26:2 LXX or investigate
  2. Psalm 26:2 Or kidneys
  3. Psalm 26:8 LXX; MT the dwelling of your house
  4. Psalm 26:9 Or my soul

26 Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide.

Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.

I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.

I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.

I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O Lord:

That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.

Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.

Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:

10 In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.

11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.

12 My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord.

A Prayer for Divine Scrutiny and Redemption

A Psalm of David.

26 Vindicate (A)me, O Lord,
For I have (B)walked in my integrity.
(C)I have also trusted in the Lord;
I shall not slip.
(D)Examine me, O Lord, and [a]prove me;
Try my mind and my heart.
For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes,
And (E)I have walked in Your truth.
I have not (F)sat with idolatrous mortals,
Nor will I go in with hypocrites.
I have (G)hated 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, O Lord,
That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving,
And tell of all Your wondrous works.
Lord, (H)I have loved the habitation of Your house,
And the place [b]where Your glory dwells.

(I)Do[c] not gather my soul with sinners,
Nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
10 In whose hands is a sinister scheme,
And whose right hand is full of (J)bribes.

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

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 26:2 test me
  2. Psalm 26:8 Lit. of the tabernacle of Your glory
  3. Psalm 26:9 Do not take away