Psalms 26

1 Of David. Vindicate me, O LORD! For I have walked with integrity; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.

A psalm of David. Defend me, O Lord, for my walk has been blameless; in the Lord have I trusted unswervingly:

2 Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.

Examine me, Lord, and test me; test my heart and my mind.

3 For Your loving devotion is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth.

For your love is before my eyes, and your faithfulness governs my way.

4 I do not sit with deceitful men, nor keep company with hypocrites.

I never sat down with the worthless, nor companied with dissemblers.

5 I hate the mob of evildoers, and refuse to sit with the wicked.

I hate the assembly of knaves, I would never sit down with the wicked;

6 I wash my hands in innocence that I may go about Your altar, O LORD,

but, with hands washed in innocence, I would march round your altar, O Lord,

7 to raise my voice in thanksgiving and declare all Your wonderful works.

singing loud songs of thanks, and telling of all your wonders.

8 O LORD, I love the house where You dwell, the place where Your glory resides.

O Lord, I love your house, the place where your glory lives.

9 Do not take my soul away with sinners, or my life with men of bloodshed,

Do not gather me up with sinners; slay me not with people of blood,

10 in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes.

whose hands are stained with villainy, and whose right hand is filled with bribes.

11 But I will walk with integrity; redeem me and be merciful to me.

But my walk is blameless! O redeem me, be gracious to me.

12 My feet stand on level ground; in the congregations I will bless the LORD.

My foot stands on even ground, in the choirs I will bless the Lord.