Psalm

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”