Psalms 26:8-12

Context

26:8 O Lord, I love the temple where you live,¹

the place where your splendor is revealed.²

26:9 Do not sweep me away³ with sinners,

or execute me along with violent people,⁴

26:10 who are always ready to do wrong⁵

or offer a bribe.⁶

26:11 But I have integrity!⁷

Rescue me⁸ and have mercy on me!

26:12 I am safe,⁹

and among the worshipers I will praise the Lord.

[26:8] ¹tn Heb “the dwelling of your house.”

[26:8] ²tn Heb “the place of the abode of your splendor.”

[26:9] ³tn Heb “do not gather up my life with.”

[26:9] ⁴tn Heb “or with men of bloodshed my life.” The verb is supplied; it is understood by ellipsis (see the preceding line).

[26:10] ⁵tn Heb “who [have] in their hands evil.”

[26:10] ⁶tn Heb “and their right hand is full of a bribe.”

[26:11] ⁷tn 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] ⁸tn Or “redeem me.”

[26:12] ⁹tn Heb “my foot stands in a level place.”