Psalms 26:1-11

1 Declare me innocent, O Lord, because I do what is right and trust you completely.

2 Examine me and test me, Lord; judge my desires and thoughts.

3 Your constant love is my guide; your faithfulness always leads me.

4 I do not keep company with worthless people; I have nothing to do with hypocrites.

5 I hate the company of the evil and avoid the wicked.

6 Lord, I wash my hands to show that I am innocent and march in worship around your altar.

7 I sing a hymn of thanksgiving and tell of all your wonderful deeds.

8 I love the house where you live, O Lord, the place where your glory dwells.

9 Do not destroy me with the sinners; spare me from the fate of murderers -

10 those who do evil all the time and are always ready to take bribes.

11 As for me, I do what is right; be merciful to me and save me!

Psalms 26:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

Psalm of David. The occasion of this psalm seems to be the quarrel between Saul and David, the former listening to calumnies and reproaches cast upon the latter, and persecuting him in a violent manner. The argument of it is the same, in a great measure, with the seventh psalm, and is an appeal made to God, the Judge of the whole earth, by the psalmist, for his innocence and integrity; Theodoret thinks it was written by David when he fled from Saul.

Footnotes

• [a]. your faithfulness always leads me; [or] I live in loyalty to you.