Psalms 26

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

A Psalm of David. Judge me, O LORD, for I have walked in mine integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.

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

Examine me, O LORD, and try me; test my reins and my heart.

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

For Thy mercy is before mine eyes; and I have walked in Thy truth.

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

I have not sat with men of falsehood; neither will I go in with dissemblers.

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

I hate the gathering of evil doers, and will not sit with the wicked.

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

I will wash my hands in innocency; so will I compass Thine altar, O LORD,

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

That I may make the voice of thanksgiving to be heard, and tell of all Thy wondrous works.

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

LORD, I love the habitation of Thy house, and the place where Thy glory dwelleth.

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

Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with men of blood;

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

In whose hands is craftiness, and their right hand is full of bribes.

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

But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity; redeem me, and be gracious unto me.

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

My foot standeth in an even place; in the congregations will I bless the LORD.