Psalms 26

1 [By David.] Judge me, Jehovah, for I have walked in my integrity. I have trusted also in Jehovah 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, Jehovah, 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, Jehovah;

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 works.

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

8 Jehovah, 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 Do not 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 Jehovah.

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