Text -- Psalms 26:4-12 (NET)

26:4 I do not associate with deceitful men, or consort with those who are dishonest. 26:5 I hate the mob of evil men, and do not associate with the wicked. 26:6 I maintain a pure lifestyle, so I can appear before your altar, O Lord, 26:7 to give you thanks, and to tell about all your amazing deeds. 26:8 O Lord, I love the temple where you live, the place where your splendor is revealed. 26:9 Do not sweep me away with sinners, or execute me along with violent people, 26:10 who are always ready to do wrong or offer a bribe. 26:11 But I have integrity! Rescue me and have mercy on me! 26:12 I am safe, and among the worshipers I will praise the Lord.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Psa 26:4

¹ tn Heb “sit.”

² tn Heb “go.” The psalmist uses the imperfect form of the verb to emphasize that he does not make a practice of associating with such people.

³ tn Heb “[those who] conceal themselves.”

NET Notes: Psa 26:5

¹ tn Heb “assembly, company.”

² tn Heb “sit.” The psalmist uses the imperfect form of the verb to emphasize that he does not make a practice of associating with such people.

NET Notes: Psa 26:6

¹ tn Heb “I wash my hands in innocence.” The psalmist uses an image from cultic ritual to picture his moral lifestyle. The imperfect verbal emphasizes that this is his habit.

² tn Heb “so I can go around your altar” (probably in ritual procession). Following the imperfect of the preceding line, the cohortative with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose or result.

NET Notes: Psa 26:7

¹ tn Heb “to cause to be heard the sound of thanksgiving.”

² tn The two infinitival forms (both with prefixed preposition -לְ, lamed) give the purpose for his appearance at the altar.

NET Notes: Psa 26:8

¹ tn Heb “the dwelling of your house.”

² tn Heb “the place of the abode of your splendor.”

NET Notes: Psa 26:9

¹ tn Heb “do not gather up my life with.”

² tn Heb “or with men of bloodshed my life.” The verb is supplied; it is understood by ellipsis (see the preceding line).

NET Notes: Psa 26:10

¹ tn Heb “who [have] in their hands evil.”

² tn Heb “and their right hand is full of a bribe.”

NET Notes: Psa 26:11

¹ tn Heb “and I in my integrity walk.” The psalmist uses the imperfect verbal form to emphasize this is his practice. The construction at the beginning of the verse (conjunction + pronoun) highlights the contrast between the psalmist and the sinners mentioned in vv. 9-10.

² tn Or “redeem me.”

NET Notes: Psa 26:12

¹ tn Heb “my foot stands in a level place.”