USB ~ Psalms 26

Prayer of Innocence

1 Of David. 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

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† in innocenced 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;† in assemblies I will bless the LORD. i

Footnotes

†. 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.

†. 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.

†. 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.

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