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Psalm 26

Plea for Justice and Declaration of Righteousness

Of David.

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

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

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

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

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

Footnotes

  1. 26.3 Or in your faithfulness

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