Psalms 26

A Prayer for Vindication

¹Judge me, O Yahweh, because I have walked in my integrity,

and I have trusted Yahweh and not wavered.

²Prove me, O Yahweh, and test me.

Try my innermost being and my mind.

³Because your loyal love is before my eyes,

and I walk about in your faithfulness.

⁴I do not sit with deceitful people,

nor will I go about with hypocrites.

⁵I hate the crowd of evildoers,

and with the wicked I will not sit.

⁶I will wash my hands in innocence,

and I will walk about your altar, O Yahweh,

⁷to declare with a voice of thanksgiving,

and tell of all your wondrous deeds.

⁸O Yahweh, I love the dwelling of your house,[#Or “temple”]

and the place where your glory abides.

⁹Do not destroy me with the sinners,[#Or “gather my soul for judgment”]

nor my life with men of bloodshed,

¹⁰in whose hands is an evil plan,

and whose right hand is full of bribes.

¹¹But as for me, I will walk in my integrity.

Redeem me and be gracious to me.

¹²My foot stands on level ground.

In assemblies I will bless Yahweh.