Psalms 26

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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