26:6 I maintain a pure lifestyle, 1
so I can appear before your altar, 2 O Lord,
73:13 I concluded, 3 “Surely in vain I have kept my motives 4 pure
and maintained a pure lifestyle. 5
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.
3 tn The words “I concluded” are supplied in the translation. It is apparent that vv. 13-14 reflect the psalmist’s thoughts at an earlier time (see vv. 2-3), prior to the spiritual awakening he describes in vv. 17-28.
4 tn Heb “heart,” viewed here as the seat of one’s thoughts and motives.
5 tn Heb “and washed my hands in innocence.” The psalmist uses an image from cultic ritual to picture his moral lifestyle. The reference to “hands” suggests actions.