Psalm 26

¹Vindicate me, O Lord ,

for I have integrity,

and I trust in the Lord without wavering.

²Examine me, O Lord , and test me!

Evaluate my inner thoughts and motives!

³For I am ever aware of your faithfulness,[#tn Heb “for your faithfulness [is] before my eyes.”]

and your loyalty continually motivates me.

⁴I do not associate with deceitful men,[#tn Heb “sit.”]

or consort with those who are dishonest.

⁵I hate the mob of evil men,[#tn Heb “assembly, company.”]

and do not associate with the wicked.

⁶I maintain a pure lifestyle,[#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.]

so I can appear before your altar, O Lord ,

⁷to give you thanks,[#tn Heb “to cause to be heard the sound of thanksgiving.”]

and to tell about all your amazing deeds.

⁸O Lord , I love the temple where you live,[#tn Heb “the dwelling of your house.”]

the place where your splendor is revealed.

⁹Do not sweep me away with sinners,[#tn Heb “do not gather up my life with.”]

or execute me along with violent people,

¹⁰who are always ready to do wrong[#tn Heb “who [have] in their hands evil.”]

or offer a bribe.

¹¹But I have integrity![#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.]

Rescue me and have mercy on me!

¹²I am safe,[#tn Heb “my foot stands in a level place.”]

and among the worshipers I will praise the Lord .