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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