Psalms 26

1 Of David. O Lord, be my judge, for my behaviour has been upright: I have put my faith in the Lord, I am not in danger of slipping.

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.

2 Put me in the scales, O Lord, so that I may be tested; let the fire make clean my thoughts and my heart.

Prove me, O Lord, and try me; burn my reins and my heart.

3 For your mercy is before my eyes; and I have gone in the way of your good faith.

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

4 I have not taken my seat with foolish persons, and I do not go with false men.

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

5 I have been a hater of the band of wrongdoers, and I will not be seated among sinners.

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

6 I will make my hands clean from sin; so will I go round your altar, O Lord;

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

7 That I may give out the voice of praise, and make public all the wonders which you have done.

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

8 Lord, your house has been dear to me, and the resting-place of your glory.

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

9 Let not my soul be numbered among sinners, or my life among men of blood;

Take not away my soul, O God, with the wicked: nor my life with bloody men:

10 In whose hands are evil designs, and whose right hands take money for judging falsely.

In whose hands are iniquities: their right hand is filled with gifts.

11 But as for me, I will go on in my upright ways: be my saviour, and have mercy on me.

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

12 I have a safe resting-place for my feet; I will give praise to the Lord in the meetings of the people.

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