Psalm 26 - Judge Me, O LORD
A plea for God to test the heart and vindicate a life walked in integrity.
Psalm 26 opens with David asking the LORD to judge and examine him, confident he has walked in integrity and trusted in God, one of several trust-themed prayers gathered in this Psalms overview. He insists he has avoided vain persons, dissemblers, and the congregation of evildoers.
By David. Judge me, Lord, for I have walked in my integrity. I have trusted also in Lord without wavering.
Examine me, Lord, and prove me. Try my heart and my mind.
For your loving kindness is before my eyes. I have walked in your truth.
I have not sat with deceitful men, neither will I go in with hypocrites.
I hate the assembly of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked.
I will wash my hands in innocence, so I will go about your altar, Lord;
that I may make the voice of thanksgiving to be heard, and tell of all your wondrous works.
Lord, I love the habitation of your house, the place where your glory dwells.
Do not gather my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men;
in whose hands is wickedness, their right hand is full of bribes.
But as for me, I will walk in my integrity. Redeem me, and be merciful to me.
My foot stands in an even place. In the congregations I will bless the Lord.