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Psalm 26

Of David.

Vindicate me,(A) Lord,
    for I have led a blameless life;(B)
I have trusted(C) in the Lord
    and have not faltered.(D)
Test me,(E) Lord, and try me,
    examine my heart and my mind;(F)
for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love(G)
    and have lived(H) in reliance on your faithfulness.(I)

I do not sit(J) with the deceitful,
    nor do I associate with hypocrites.(K)
I abhor(L) the assembly of evildoers
    and refuse to sit with the wicked.
I wash my hands in innocence,(M)
    and go about your altar, Lord,
proclaiming aloud your praise(N)
    and telling of all your wonderful deeds.(O)

Lord, I love(P) the house where you live,
    the place where your glory dwells.(Q)
Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
    my life with those who are bloodthirsty,(R)
10 in whose hands are wicked schemes,(S)
    whose right hands are full of bribes.(T)
11 I lead a blameless life;
    deliver me(U) and be merciful to me.

12 My feet stand on level ground;(V)
    in the great congregation(W) I will praise the Lord.

Protestation of Integrity and Prayer for Protection.

A Psalm of David.

26 Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity;
I have [relied on and] trusted [confidently] in the Lord without wavering and I shall not slip.

Examine me, O Lord, and try me;
Test my heart and my mind.

For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes,
And I have walked [faithfully] in Your truth.

I do not sit with deceitful or unethical or worthless men,
Nor seek companionship with pretenders (self-righteous hypocrites).

I hate the company of evildoers,
And will not sit with the wicked.

I will wash my hands in innocence,
And I will go about Your altar, O Lord,

That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving
And declare all Your wonders.


O Lord, I love the habitation of Your house
And the place where Your glory dwells.

Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,
Nor [sweep away] my life with men of bloodshed,
10 
In whose hands is a wicked scheme,
And whose right hand is full of bribes.
11 
But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;
Redeem me and be merciful and gracious to me.
12 
My foot stands on a level place;
In the congregations I will bless the Lord.

Psalm 26

A psalm of David.

Declare me innocent, O Lord,
    for I have acted with integrity;
    I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me.
    Test my motives and my heart.
For I am always aware of your unfailing love,
    and I have lived according to your truth.
I do not spend time with liars
    or go along with hypocrites.
I hate the gatherings of those who do evil,
    and I refuse to join in with the wicked.
I wash my hands to declare my innocence.
    I come to your altar, O Lord,
singing a song of thanksgiving
    and telling of all your wonders.
I love your sanctuary, Lord,
    the place where your glorious presence dwells.

Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners.
    Don’t condemn me along with murderers.
10 Their hands are dirty with evil schemes,
    and they constantly take bribes.
11 But I am not like that; I live with integrity.
    So redeem me and show me mercy.
12 Now I stand on solid ground,
    and I will publicly praise the Lord.

Protestation of Integrity and Prayer for Protection.

A Psalm of David.

26 [a](A)Vindicate me, Lord, for I have (B)walked in my integrity,
And I have (C)trusted in the Lord [b](D)without wavering.
(E)Examine me, Lord, and put me to the test;
(F)Refine my [c]mind and my heart.
For Your (G)[d]goodness is before my eyes,
And I have (H)walked in Your truth.
I do not (I)sit with [e]deceitful people,
Nor will I go with [f](J)pretenders.
I (K)hate the assembly of evildoers,
And I will not sit with the wicked.
I will (L)wash my hands in innocence,
And I will go around (M)Your altar, Lord,
That I may proclaim with the voice of (N)thanksgiving
And declare all Your [g]wonders.

Lord, I (O)love the dwelling of Your house,
And the place [h]where Your (P)glory remains.
(Q)Do not [i]take my soul away along with sinners,
Nor my life with (R)men of bloodshed,
10 In whose hands is a (S)wicked scheme,
And whose right hand is full of (T)bribes.
11 But as for me, I will (U)walk in my integrity;
(V)Redeem me, and be gracious to me.
12 (W)My foot stands on (X)level ground;
In the (Y)congregations I will bless the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 26:1 Lit Judge
  2. Psalm 26:1 Lit I do not slide
  3. Psalm 26:2 Lit kidneys, figurative for inner man
  4. Psalm 26:3 Or faithfulness
  5. Psalm 26:4 Or worthless men; lit men of falsehood
  6. Psalm 26:4 Or dissemblers, hypocrites
  7. Psalm 26:7 Or miracles
  8. Psalm 26:8 Lit of the tabernacle of Your glory
  9. Psalm 26:9 Lit gather

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