26:2 Examine me, O Lord, and test me!
Evaluate my inner thoughts and motives! 1
26:3 For I am ever aware of your faithfulness, 2
and your loyalty continually motivates me. 3
26:4 I do not associate 4 with deceitful men,
or consort 5 with those who are dishonest. 6
26:5 I hate the mob 7 of evil men,
and do not associate 8 with the wicked.
26:6 I maintain a pure lifestyle, 9
so I can appear before your altar, 10 O Lord,
26:7 to give you thanks, 11
and to tell about all your amazing deeds. 12
26:8 O Lord, I love the temple where you live, 13
the place where your splendor is revealed. 14
26:9 Do not sweep me away 15 with sinners,
or execute me along with violent people, 16
26:10 who are always ready to do wrong 17
or offer a bribe. 18
26:11 But I have integrity! 19
Rescue me 20 and have mercy on me!
26:12 I am safe, 21
and among the worshipers I will praise the Lord.
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 “for your faithfulness [is] before my eyes.”
3 tn Heb “and I walk about in your loyalty.”
3 tn Heb “sit.”
4 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.
5 tn Heb “[those who] conceal themselves.”
4 tn Heb “assembly, company.”
5 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.
5 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.
6 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.
6 tn Heb “to cause to be heard the sound of thanksgiving.”
7 tn The two infinitival forms (both with prefixed preposition -לְ, lamed) give the purpose for his appearance at the altar.
7 tn Heb “the dwelling of your house.”
8 tn Heb “the place of the abode of your splendor.”
8 tn Heb “do not gather up my life with.”
9 tn Heb “or with men of bloodshed my life.” The verb is supplied; it is understood by ellipsis (see the preceding line).
9 tn Heb “who [have] in their hands evil.”
10 tn Heb “and their right hand is full of a bribe.”
10 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.
11 tn Or “redeem me.”
11 tn Heb “my foot stands in a level place.”