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,
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.