Psalms 26:1-11

Context

Psalm 26¹

By David.

26:1 Vindicate me, O Lord,

for I have integrity,²

and I trust in the Lord without wavering.

26:2 Examine me, O Lord, and test me!

Evaluate my inner thoughts and motives!³

26:3 For I am ever aware of your faithfulness,⁴

and your loyalty continually motivates me.⁵

26:4 I do not associate⁶ with deceitful men,

or consort⁷ with those who are dishonest.⁸

26:5 I hate the mob⁹ of evil men,

and do not associate¹⁰ with the wicked.

26:6 I maintain a pure lifestyle,¹¹

so I can appear before your altar,¹² O Lord,

26:7 to give you thanks,¹³

and to tell about all your amazing deeds.¹⁴

26:8 O Lord, I love the temple where you live,¹⁵

the place where your splendor is revealed.¹⁶

26:9 Do not sweep me away¹⁷ with sinners,

or execute me along with violent people,¹⁸

26:10 who are always ready to do wrong¹⁹

or offer a bribe.²⁰

26:11 But I have integrity!²¹

Rescue me²² and have mercy on me!

[26:1] ¹sn Psalm 26. The author invites the Lord to test his integrity, asserts his innocence and declares his loyalty to God.

[26:1] ²tn Heb “for I in my integrity walk.”

[26:2] ³tn Heb “evaluate my kidneys and my heart.” The kidneys and heart were viewed as the seat of one’s volition, conscience, and moral character.

[26:3] ⁴tn Heb “for your faithfulness [is] before my eyes.”

[26:3] ⁵tn Heb “and I walk about in your loyalty.”

[26:4] ⁶tn Heb “sit.”

[26:4] ⁷tn 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.

[26:4] ⁸tn Heb “[those who] conceal themselves.”

[26:5] ⁹tn Heb “assembly, company.”

[26:5] ¹⁰tn 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.

[26:6] ¹¹tn 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.

[26:6] ¹²tn 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.

[26:7] ¹³tn Heb “to cause to be heard the sound of thanksgiving.”

[26:7] ¹⁴tn The two infinitival forms (both with prefixed preposition -לְ, lamed) give the purpose for his appearance at the altar.

[26:8] ¹⁵tn Heb “the dwelling of your house.”

[26:8] ¹⁶tn Heb “the place of the abode of your splendor.”

[26:9] ¹⁷tn Heb “do not gather up my life with.”

[26:9] ¹⁸tn Heb “or with men of bloodshed my life.” The verb is supplied; it is understood by ellipsis (see the preceding line).

[26:10] ¹⁹tn Heb “who [have] in their hands evil.”

[26:10] ²⁰tn Heb “and their right hand is full of a bribe.”

[26:11] ²¹tn 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.

[26:11] ²²tn Or “redeem me.”