Psalms 26

1 By David. Judge me, Yahweh, for I have walked in my integrity. I have trusted also in Yahweh without wavering.

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

2 Examine me, Yahweh, and prove me. Try my heart and my mind.

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

3 For your loving kindness is before my eyes. I have walked in your truth.

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

4 I have not sat with deceitful men, neither will I go in with hypocrites.

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

5 I hate the assembly of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked.

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

6 I will wash my hands in innocence, so I will go about your altar, Yahweh,

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

7 that I may make the voice of thanksgiving to be heard and tell of all your wondrous deeds.

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

8 Yahweh, I love the habitation of your house, the place where your glory dwells.

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

9 Don’t gather my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men

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

10 in whose hands is wickedness; their right hand is full of bribes.

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

11 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity. Redeem me, and be merciful to me.

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

12 My foot stands in an even place. In the congregations I will bless Yahweh.

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