Psalm 26

Psalm 26 is one of the "Psalms of David" in Book One (Psalms 1–41) of the Psalms. Following Psalm 25, which seeks forgiveness and guidance, the psalmist here declares that he has lived with integrity before God and asks Him to judge his case.

Outline

• Verses 1–3: The psalmist declares that he has walked in his integrity and has trusted in the LORD. He then asks God to judge him, to examine and prove him, and to try his reins and his heart, for he has walked in the LORD's lovingkindness and truth.
• Verses 4–5: He resolves not to sit with vain persons, dissemblers, evildoers, or the wicked.
• Verses 6–8: He says that he will wash his hands in innocency and compass the LORD's altar, lifting up the voice of thanksgiving and telling of all His wondrous works. He also confesses his love for the LORD's house and the place where His glory dwells.
• Verses 9–10: He pleads that his life not be gathered with sinners and bloody men, in whose hands is mischief and whose right hand is full of bribes.
• Verses 11–12: He resolves to continue walking in his integrity and asks for redemption and mercy. He closes by declaring that he stands on level ground and will bless the LORD in the congregation.

Key Verses

• Psalm 26:2 "Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart": a prayer that submits one's heart to God's scrutiny, often read alongside the closing verses of Psalm 139.
• Psalm 26:8 "LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth": an expression of love for God's dwelling place and for worship.
• Psalm 26:12 "In the congregations will I bless the LORD": the individual's plea concludes in communal praise.

People and Places

• David: the king of Israel named in the superscription.
• The LORD's house: God's dwelling place. Some interpreters identify it with the tabernacle of David's day, others with the later Temple in Jerusalem.
• The LORD's altar: the altar in the sanctuary on which sacrifices were offered.

Points for Reflection

• The Hebrew word tom, rendered "integrity," is generally understood to denote sincerity and wholeness before God rather than complete sinlessness. The fact that the psalmist also asks for redemption and mercy in verse 11 is cited in support of this reading.
• Some interpreters regard this psalm as one used by worshipers entering the temple; on this reading it is often compared with Psalm 15 and Psalm 24. Others read it as the plea of someone falsely accused, though the text itself does not specify the circumstances.
• The Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate number the Psalms differently and count this psalm as Psalm 25. In the older form of the Catholic Mass, the priest recited verses 6–12 while washing his hands.
• The psalm is not quoted directly in the New Testament. However, the hand-washing of verse 6 is sometimes contrasted with the scene in which Pontius Pilate washed his hands while declaring himself innocent (Matthew 27:24).