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.
A Psalm of David. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in my integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
For thy loving-kindness is before my eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
I will wash my hands in innocence: so will I compass thy altar, O LORD:
That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thy honor dwelleth.
Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
In whose hands is mischief, and 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 standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.