Psalm chapter 26
English Standard Version
1 Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind. 3For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. 4I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. 5I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. 6I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O Lord, 7proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds. 8O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. 9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, 10in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes. 11But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. 12My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.
New International Version
1Of David. Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered. 2Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;
3for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. 4I do not sit with the deceitful, nor do I associate with hypocrites. 5I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked. 6I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, Lord,
7proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds. 8 Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells. 9Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with those who are bloodthirsty, 10in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes.
New American Standard Bible
1 Vindicate me, Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, And I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2Examine me, Lord, and put me to the test; Refine my mind and my heart. 3For Your goodness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth. 4I do not sit with deceitful people, Nor will I go with pretenders. 5I hate the assembly of evildoers, And I will not sit with the wicked. 6I will wash my hands in innocence, And I will go around Your altar, Lord, 7That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving And declare all Your wonders. 8Lord, I love the dwelling of Your house, And the place where Your glory remains. 9Do not take my soul away along with sinners, Nor my life with men of bloodshed, 10In whose hands is a wicked scheme, And whose right hand is full of bribes. 11But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me, and be gracious to me. 12My foot stands on level ground; In the congregations I will bless the Lord.
Christian Standard Bible
1Of David. Vindicate me, Lord, because I have lived with integrity and have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2Test me, Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind.
3For your faithful love guides me, and I live by your truth. 4I do not sit with the worthless or associate with hypocrites. 5I hate a crowd of evildoers, and I do not sit with the wicked. 6I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, Lord,
New Living Translation
1Declare me innocent, O Lord, for I have acted with integrity; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart. 3For I am always aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth. 4I do not spend time with liars or go along with hypocrites. 5I hate the gatherings of those who do evil, and I refuse to join in with the wicked. 6I wash my hands to declare my innocence. I come to your altar, O Lord, 7singing a song of thanksgiving and telling of all your wonders. 8I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where your glorious presence dwells.
9Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners. Don’t condemn me along with murderers. 10Their hands are dirty with evil schemes, and they constantly take bribes. 11But I am not like that; I live with integrity. So redeem me and show me mercy. 12Now I stand on solid ground, and I will publicly praise the Lord.
King James Version
New King James Version
1{A Psalm of David.} Vindicate me, O Lord, For I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the Lord; I shall not slip. 2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart. 3For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth. 4I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go in with hypocrites. 5I have hated the assembly of evildoers, And will not sit with the wicked. 6I will wash my hands in innocence; So I will go about Your altar, O Lord, 7That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works. 8Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, And the place where Your glory dwells. 9 Do not gather my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloodthirsty men, 10In whose hands is a sinister scheme, And whose right hand is full of bribes. 11But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me and be merciful to me. 12 My foot stands in an even place; In the congregations I will bless the Lord.
What does Psalm chapter 26 mean?
This psalm is not easily connected to any events recorded in the Bible. Whatever situation David was facing here, the details are not part of Scripture. Apparently, David felt he was under ruthless attack from enemies. These assaults seem to have included malicious rumors. In response, David appeals to the Lord for vindication. He reasons that God will justify him because he has led a life of integrity and has consistently trusted God. It is this sincerity which makes David confident in his relationship to the Lord (Psalm 26:1–3).As proof of his integrity, David lists the ways in which he pursues righteousness. In this context, that includes refusing to associate closely with evil people. Balancing a need for holiness (1 Corinthians 5:9–11; 1 Peter 1:14–15) with a call to reach the lost (Matthew 5:16) can be difficult. Yet that discernment is important. David insists he does not "sit," or fellowship, with those known to be dishonest. Neither does he keep company with hypocrites. He avoids being in the same place as groups of evildoers. He stays clear of sin and gives thanks in the tabernacle. Because he deeply loves God and His truth, David publicly proclaims all the Lord's wondrous deeds. He loves the tabernacle, the place where the Lord reveals His glory (Psalm 26:4–8).
As someone who stays away from evil, and evil people, David confidently asks God not to be "swept away" by judgment against sinners. This echoes a theme of the Bible, which is that sin can bring earthly consequences—and those close to evil people risk being caught in those results (Proverbs 13:20). David knows hypocritical sinners accept bribes and commit depraved acts. As for himself, he seeks to live an honest life. He asks the Lord to deliver him and be gracious to him. David affirms that he will not be shaken from his faith and will praise the Lord when God's people assemble (Psalm 26:9–12).
