Psalm 26 - New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

Psalm 26[a]

Prayer of Innocence

1 Of David.

I

Judge me, Lord!
For I have walked in my integrity.(A)
In the Lord I trust;
I do not falter.
2 Examine me, Lord, and test me;
search my heart and mind.(B)
3 Your mercy is before my eyes;
I walk guided by your faithfulness.(C)

II

4 I do not sit with worthless men,
nor with hypocrites do I mingle.
5 I hate an evil assembly;
with the wicked I do not sit.
6 I will wash my hands[b] in innocence(D)
so that I may process around your altar, Lord,
7 To hear the sound of thanksgiving,
and recount all your wondrous deeds.
8 Lord, I love the refuge of your house,
the site of the dwelling-place of your glory.(E)

III

9 Do not take me away with sinners,
nor my life with the men of blood,(F)
10 In whose hands there is a plot,
their right hands full of bribery.
11 But I walk in my integrity;(G)
redeem me, be gracious to me!(H)
12 My foot stands on level ground;[c]
in assemblies I will bless the Lord.(I)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 26 Like a priest washing before approaching the altar (Ex 30:17–21), the psalmist seeks God’s protection upon entering the Temple. Ps 26:1–3, matched by Ps 26:11–12, remind God of past integrity while asking for purification; Ps 26:4–5, matched by Ps 26:9–10, pray for inclusion among the just; Ps 26:6–8, the center of the poem, express the joy in God at the heart of all ritual.
  2. 26:6 I will wash my hands: the washing of hands was a liturgical act (Ex 30:19, 21; 40:31–32), symbolic of inner as well as outer cleanness, cf. Is 1:16.
  3. 26:12 On level ground: in safety, where there is no danger of tripping and falling. In assemblies: at the Temple. Having walked around the altar, the symbol of God’s presence, the psalmist blesses God.

Cross references

  1. 26:1 : Ps 7:9.
  2. 26:2 : Ps 17:3; 139:23.
  3. 26:3 : Ps 86:11.
  4. 26:6 : Ps 73:13.
  5. 26:8 : Ps 29:9; 63:3; Ex 24:16; 25:8.
  6. 26:9 : Ps 28:3.
  7. 26:11 : Ps 101:6.
  8. 26:11 : Ps 25:16.
  9. 26:12 : Ps 22:23; 35:18; 149:1.

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