Psalm 26

"Where your presence dwells"

Purpose: To engage in a worship liturgy, including the preparation for worship and the response to being in YHWH's presence.

Content: Prepare me, YHWH, that I may worship you. Protect me, that I may bless you among your people.

Message: YHWH prepares his people to enter his presence in worship and protects them to bless his name.

Author: David

Videos

Poetic Features Video

Video forthcoming

Overview

Translation

Click 'Expand' to the right to see our Close-but-Clear translation of Psalm 26.

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1. By David.

Judge me, YHWH, for I have walked in my integrity,

and I have trusted in YHWH. I shall not waver.

2. Test me, YHWH, and try me;

refine my kidneys and my heart,

3. for your loyalty is before my eyes,

and I walk in your truth.

4. I have not sat down with deceitful people,

and with hypocrites I do not go.

5. I have rejected the community of evildoers,

and I do not sit down with wicked people.

6. I wash my hands in innocence,

so that I can go around your altar, YHWH,

7. to make thanksgiving heard with a voice,

and to tell all of your wonders.

8. YHWH, I love the dwelling place of your house,

and the place where your presence dwells.

9. Do not take away my soul with sinful people;

and [do not take away] my life with bloodthirsty people,

10. in whose hands is wickedness;

and their right hands are full of bribes.

11. But I will walk in my integrity.

Redeem me, and be gracious to me!

12. My foot is standing on a plain.

In assemblies I shall bless YHWH.

The Close-but-clear translation (CBC) exists to provide a window into the Hebrew text according to how we understand its syntax and word-to-phrase-level semantics. It is not intended to be used as a stand-alone translation or base text, but as a supplement to Layer-by-Layer materials to help users make full use of these resources.

For links to other translations of Psalm 26, click here.

Verse-by-Verse

Click the link to view all of Psalm 26 Verse-by-Verse, or click on an individual verse below.

• v. 1
• v. 2
• v. 3
• v. 4
• v. 5
• v. 6
• v. 7
• v. 8
• v. 9
• v. 10
• v. 11
• v. 12

Layer-by-Layer

Psalm Overview

• Grammar
• Semantics
• Story behind the Psalm
• Discourse
• Poetics

Exegetical Issues

• The Grammar of Ps. 26:1b
• The Meaning of מְעוֹן in Ps 26:8 (Draft)
• The Text of Ps. 26:12 (Draft)