Psalm 26

The prayer of a person who does what is right

¹Lord , I always try to do what is right.

I continue to trust you all the time.

So please show that I am not guilty of wrong things.

²Test me, Lord , and see how I have lived.

Look into my mind and see my thoughts.

³I always know that I can trust you,

because of your faithful love.

So I live to please you.

⁴I do not become a friend of people who tell lies .

I do not join together with hypocrites .

⁵I keep away from any crowd of evil people.

I do not become a friend of wicked people.

⁶I wash my hands as a sign

that I live in a pure way.

I will worship you at your altar , Lord .

⁷I will sing aloud to thank you.

I will tell people about all the great things that you have done.

⁸Lord , I love the temple that is your house.

It is the place where we clearly see your glory .

⁹Do not take away my life,

as you do with sinners .

Do not punish me with death,

as you do with murderers .

¹⁰Those wicked people are always ready to do evil things.

They use bribes to get what they want.

¹¹But I always try to do what is right.

Please save me and be kind to me!

¹²Now I stand in a safe place.

I will praise the Lord

when his people meet together to worship him.