Psalms 26:2-7

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 

[26:2]  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.

[26:3]  ² tn Heb “for your faithfulness [is] before my eyes.”

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

[26:4]  ⁴ tn Heb “sit.”

[26:4]  ⁵ 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]  ⁶ tn Heb “[those who] conceal themselves.”

[26:5]  ⁷ tn Heb “assembly, company.”

[26:5]  ⁸ 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]  ⁹ 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]  ¹⁰ 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]  ¹¹ tn Heb “to cause to be heard the sound of thanksgiving.”

[26:7]  ¹² tn The two infinitival forms (both with prefixed preposition -לְ, lamed) give the purpose for his appearance at the altar.