Psalms 26:4-6

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,

Psalms 26:9-11

26:9 Do not sweep me away ⁸  with sinners,

or execute me along with violent people, ⁹ 

26:10 who are always ready to do wrong ¹⁰ 

or offer a bribe. ¹¹ 

26:11 But I have integrity! ¹² 

Rescue me ¹³  and have mercy on me!

[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]  ⁶ 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]  ⁷ 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.

[26:9]  ⁸ tn Heb “do not gather up my life with.”

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

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

[26:10]  ¹¹ tn Heb “and their right hand is full of a bribe.”

[26:11]  ¹² 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]  ¹³ tn Or “redeem me.”