Psalms 26:1-12

Psalm 26 ¹ 

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 associate ⁶  with deceitful men,

or consort ⁷  with those who are dishonest. ⁸ 

26:5 I hate the mob ⁹  of evil men,

and do not associate ¹⁰  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 away ¹⁷  with sinners,

or execute me along with violent people, ¹⁸ 

26:10 who are always ready to do wrong ¹⁹ 

or offer a bribe. ²⁰ 

26:11 But I have integrity! ²¹ 

Rescue me ²²  and have mercy on me!

26:12 I am safe, ²³ 

and among the worshipers I will praise the Lord.

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

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

[26:2]  ³ 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.

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

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

[26:4]  ⁶ tn Heb “sit.”

[26:4]  ⁷ 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.

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

[26:5]  ⁹ tn Heb “assembly, company.”

[26:5]  ¹⁰ 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.

[26:6]  ¹¹ 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.

[26:6]  ¹² 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[26:11]  ²¹ 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.

[26:11]  ²² tn Or “redeem me.”

[26:12]  ²³ tn Heb “my foot stands in a level place.”