Psalms 26:4-10

26:4 I do not associate ¹  with deceitful men,

or consort ²  with those who are dishonest. ³ 

26:5 I hate the mob ⁴  of evil men,

and do not associate ⁵  with the wicked.

26:6 I maintain a pure lifestyle, ⁶ 

so I can appear before your altar, ⁷  O Lord,

26:7 to give you thanks, ⁸ 

and to tell about all your amazing deeds. ⁹ 

26:8 O Lord, I love the temple where you live, ¹⁰ 

the place where your splendor is revealed. ¹¹ 

26:9 Do not sweep me away ¹²  with sinners,

or execute me along with violent people, ¹³ 

26:10 who are always ready to do wrong ¹⁴ 

or offer a bribe. ¹⁵ 

[26:4]  ¹ tn Heb “sit.”

[26:4]  ² 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]  ³ tn Heb “[those who] conceal themselves.”

[26:5]  ⁴ tn Heb “assembly, company.”

[26:5]  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.

[26:6]  ⁷ 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]  ⁸ 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]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “to cause to be heard the sound of thanksgiving.”

[26:7]  ¹¹ tn The two infinitival forms (both with prefixed preposition -לְ, lamed) give the purpose for his appearance at the altar.

[26:8]  ¹³ tn Heb “the dwelling of your house.”

[26:8]  ¹⁴ tn Heb “the place of the abode of your splendor.”

[26:9]  ¹⁶ tn Heb “do not gather up my life with.”

[26:9]  ¹⁷ 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.”