Psalms 26

1 Unto the end. A Psalm of David. Judge me, Lord, for I have been walking in my innocence, and by hoping in the Lord, I will not be weakened.

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: enkindle my temperament and my heart.

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

3 For your mercy is before my eyes, and I am serene in your truth.

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

4 I have not sat with the council of emptiness, and I will not enter with those who carry out injustice.

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

5 I have hated the assembly of the malicious; and I will not sit with the impious.

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

6 I will wash my hands among the innocent, and I will surround your altar, O Lord,

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

7 so that I may hear the voice of your praise and describe all your wonders.

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

8 O Lord, I have loved the beauty of your house and the dwelling place of your glory.

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

9 O God, do not let my soul perish with the impious, nor my life with the men of blood,

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

10 in whose hands are iniquities: their right hand has been filled by bribes.

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

11 But as for me, I have been walking in my innocence. Redeem me, and have mercy on me.

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

12 My foot has stood firm in the straight path. In the churches, I will bless you, O Lord.

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