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A Prayer for Vindication

Of David.[a]

26 Judge me, O Yahweh, because I have walked in my integrity,
and I have trusted Yahweh and not wavered.
Prove me, O Yahweh, and test me.
Try my innermost being[b] and my mind.[c]
Because your loyal love is before my eyes,
and I walk about in your faithfulness.
I do not sit with deceitful people,
nor will I go about with hypocrites.
I hate the crowd of evildoers,
and with the wicked I will not sit.
I will wash my hands in innocence,
and I will walk about your altar, O Yahweh,
to declare with a voice of thanksgiving,
and tell of all your wondrous deeds.
O Yahweh, I love the dwelling of your house,[d]
and the place where your glory abides.[e]
Do not destroy me[f] with the sinners,
nor my life with men of bloodshed,
10 in whose hands is an evil plan,
and whose right hand is full of bribes.[g]
11 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity.
Redeem me and be gracious to me.
12 My foot stands on level ground.
In assemblies I will bless Yahweh.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 26:1 The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm
  2. Psalm 26:2 Literally “kidneys,” the locus of intense thoughts and emotions in biblical Hebrew
  3. Psalm 26:2 Literally “heart”
  4. Psalm 26:8 Or “temple”
  5. Psalm 26:8 Literally “the place of the dwelling place of your glory”
  6. Psalm 26:9 Or “gather my soul for judgment
  7. Psalm 26:10 Hebrew “bribe”

Davidic

A Man of Integrity Pleads for Justice

26 Vindicate me, Lord,
    because I have walked in integrity;
        I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
Examine me, Lord, and inspect me!
    Test my heart and mind.[a]
For your gracious love precedes me,
    and I continuously walk according to your truth.

I do not sit with those committed to what is false,
    nor do I travel with hypocrites.
I hate the company of those who practice evil,
    nor do I sit with the wicked.
I wash my hands innocently.
    I go around your altar, Lord,
so I may praise you loudly with thanksgiving
    and declare all your wondrous acts.

Lord, I love the dwelling place that is your house,
    the place where your glory resides.
Do not group me[b] with sinners,
    nor include me[c] with men who shed blood.
10 Their hands are filled with wicked schemes,
    and their right hands with bribes.

11 But as for me,
    I walk in my integrity.
        Redeem me and be gracious to me!
12 My feet stand on level ground;
    among the worshiping congregations
        I will bless the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 26:2 Lit. kidneys; i.e. the center of emotions
  2. Psalm 26:9 Lit. my soul
  3. Psalm 26:9 The Heb. lacks include me

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.