< Psalms 26 >
1 Of David. O Lord, be my judge, for my behaviour has been upright: I have put my faith in the Lord, I am not in danger of slipping.
[By David.] Judge me, LORD, for I have walked in my integrity. I have trusted also in LORD without wavering.
2 Put me in the scales, O Lord, so that I may be tested; let the fire make clean my thoughts and my heart.
Examine me, LORD, and prove me. Try my heart and my mind.
3 For your mercy is before my eyes; and I have gone in the way of your good faith.
For your loving kindness is before my eyes. I have walked in your truth.
4 I have not taken my seat with foolish persons, and I do not go with false men.
I have not sat with deceitful men, neither will I go in with hypocrites.
5 I have been a hater of the band of wrongdoers, and I will not be seated among sinners.
I hate the assembly of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked.
6 I will make my hands clean from sin; so will I go round your altar, O Lord;
I will wash my hands in innocence, so I will go about your altar, LORD;
7 That I may give out the voice of praise, and make public all the wonders which you have done.
that I may make the voice of thanksgiving to be heard, and tell of all your wondrous works.
8 Lord, your house has been dear to me, and the resting-place of your glory.
LORD, I love the habitation of your house, the place where your glory dwells.
9 Let not my soul be numbered among sinners, or my life among men of blood;
Do not gather my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men;
10 In whose hands are evil designs, and whose right hands take money for judging falsely.
in whose hands is wickedness, their right hand is full of bribes.
11 But as for me, I will go on in my upright ways: be my saviour, and have mercy on me.
But as for me, I will walk in my integrity. Redeem me, and be merciful to me.
12 I have a safe resting-place for my feet; I will give praise to the Lord in the meetings of the people.
My foot stands in an even place. In the congregations I will bless the LORD.