Psalms 26

1 [A Psalm] of David. Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in my innocence: and hoping in the Lord I shall not be moved.

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

2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me; purify as with fire my reins and my heart.

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

3 For your mercy is before mine eyes: and I am well pleased with your truth.

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

4 I have not sat with the council of vanity, and will in nowise enter in with transgressors.

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

5 I have hated the assembly of wicked doers; and will not sit with ungodly [men].

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

6 I will wash my hands in innocency, and compass your altar, O Lord:

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

7 to hear the voice of praise, and to declare all your wonderful works.

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

8 O Lord, I have loved the beauty of your house, and the place of the tabernacle of your glory.

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

9 Destroy not my soul together with the ungodly, nor my life with bloody men:

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

10 in whose hands [are] iniquities, [and] their right hand is filled with bribes.

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

11 But I have walked in my innocence: redeem me, and have mercy upon me.

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

12 My foot stands in an even place: in the congregations will I bless you, O Lord.

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