Psalms 26

1 A Psalm of David. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in my integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.

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

2 Examine me, O LORD, and test me; try my reins and my heart.

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

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

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

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

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

5 I have hated the congregation 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 innocency: so will I go about thy altar, O LORD:

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

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

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

8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thy honour dwelleth.

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

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

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

10 In whose hands is mischief, and 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 standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.

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