Psalms 26

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

[By David.] Judge me, Jehovah, for I have walked in my integrity. I have trusted also in Jehovah without wavering.

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

Examine me, Jehovah, and prove me. Try my heart and my mind.

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

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

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

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

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

I hate the assembly of evildoers, 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 innocence, so I will go about your altar, Jehovah;

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 your wondrous works.

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

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

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

Do not gather my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men;

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

in whose hands is wickedness, 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 my integrity. Redeem me, and be merciful to me.

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

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