Psalms 26:9-12

Context

26:9 Do not sweep me away¹ with sinners,

or execute me along with violent people,²

26:10 who are always ready to do wrong³

or offer a bribe.⁴

26:11 But I have integrity!⁵

Rescue me⁶ and have mercy on me!

26:12 I am safe,⁷

and among the worshipers I will praise the Lord.

[26:9] ¹tn Heb “do not gather up my life with.”

[26:9] ²tn Heb “or with men of bloodshed my life.” The verb is supplied; it is understood by ellipsis (see the preceding line).

[26:10] ³tn Heb “who [have] in their hands evil.”

[26:10] ⁴tn Heb “and their right hand is full of a bribe.”

[26:11] ⁵tn 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] ⁶tn Or “redeem me.”

[26:12] ⁷tn Heb “my foot stands in a level place.”