Psalms 26

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

Judge me, O YHWH; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in YHWH; therefore I shall not slide.

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

Examine me, O YHWH, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

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

For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.

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

I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.

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

I have hated the congregation of evil doers; 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 mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O YHWH:

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

That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.

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

YHWH, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.

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

Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:

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

In whose hands is mischief, and 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 mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.

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

My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless YHWH.