26:2 Examine me, O Lord, and test me!
Evaluate my inner thoughts and motives! 1
16:7 I will praise 2 the Lord who 3 guides 4 me;
yes, during the night I reflect and learn. 5
1 tn Heb “evaluate my kidneys and my heart.” The kidneys and heart were viewed as the seat of one’s volition, conscience, and moral character.
2 tn Heb “bless,” that is, “proclaim as worthy of praise.”
3 tn Or “because.”
4 tn Or “counsels, advises.”
5 tn Heb “yes, [during] nights my kidneys instruct [or “correct”] me.” The “kidneys” are viewed here as the seat of the psalmist’s moral character (see Ps 26:2). In the quiet darkness the