Psalms 26

1 Unto the end, a psalm for David. Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in my innocence: and I have put my trust in the Lord, and shall not be weakened.

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; burn my reins and my heart.

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

3 For thy mercy is before my eyes; and I am well pleased with thy truth.

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

4 I have not sat with the council of vanity: neither will I go in with the doers of unjust things.

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

5 I have hated the assembly of the malignant; and with the wicked I will not sit.

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

6 I will wash my hands among the innocent; and will compass thy altar, O Lord:

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

7 That I may hear the voice of thy praise: and tell of all thy wondrous works.

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

8 I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of thy house; and the place where thy glory dwelleth.

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

9 Take not away my soul, O God, with the wicked: 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: their right hand is filled with gifts.

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

11 But as for me, I have walked in my innocence: redeem me, and have mercy on me.

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

12 My foot hath stood in the direct way: in the churches I will bless thee, O Lord.

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