Psalms 26

1 Unto the end. A Psalm of David. Judge me, Lord, for I have been walking in my innocence, and by hoping in the Lord, I will not be weakened.

“A psalm of David.” Be thou my judge, O LORD! for I have walked in uprightness. I have put my trust in the LORD, therefore shall I not fall.

2 Examine me, Lord, and test me: enkindle my temperament and my heart.

Examine me, O LORD! and prove me; Try my reins and my heart!

3 For your mercy is before my eyes, and I am serene in your truth.

For thy kindness is ever before my eyes, And I walk in thy truth.

4 I have not sat with the council of emptiness, and I will not enter with those who carry out injustice.

I sit not with men of falsehood. And go not in company with dissemblers.

5 I have hated the assembly of the malicious; and I will not sit with the impious.

I hate the assembly of evil-doers, And do not sit with the wicked.

6 I will wash my hands among the innocent, and I will surround your altar, O Lord,

I wash my hands in innocence. And go around thine altar. O LORD!

7 so that I may hear the voice of your praise and describe all your wonders.

To utter the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all thy wondrous works.

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

O LORD! I love the habitation of thy house, The place where thine honor dwelleth!

9 O God, do not let my soul perish with the impious, nor my life with the men of blood,

Gather not my breath with sinners, Nor my life with men of blood,

10 in whose hands are iniquities: their right hand has been filled by bribes.

In whose hands is mischief, And whose right hands are full of bribes!

11 But as for me, I have been walking in my innocence. Redeem me, and have mercy on me.

But as for me, I walk in my integrity; Oh, redeem me, and be merciful to me!

12 My foot has stood firm in the straight path. In the churches, I will bless you, O Lord.

My feet tread in a straight path; In the congregation will I bless the LORD.