The Book of Psalms

Unto the end. A Psalm of David. Judge me, Lord, for I have been walking in my innocence, and by hoping in the Lord, I will not be weakened.

Examine me, Lord, and test me: enkindle my temperament and my heart.(a)

For your mercy is before my eyes, and I am serene in your truth.

I have not sat with the council of emptiness, and I will not enter with those who carry out injustice.

I have hated the assembly of the malicious; and I will not sit with the impious.

I will wash my hands among the innocent, and I will surround your altar, O Lord,

so that I may hear the voice of your praise and describe all your wonders.

O Lord, I have loved the beauty of your house and the dwelling place of your glory.

O God, do not let my soul perish with the impious, nor my life with the men of blood,

in whose hands are iniquities: their right hand has been filled by bribes.

But as for me, I have been walking in my innocence. Redeem me, and have mercy on me.

My foot has stood firm in the straight path. In the churches, I will bless you, O Lord.

(a)25:2 Here again ‘renes’ literally means ‘kidneys,’ but is used metaphorically to refer to one’s temperament.(Conte)

Judge me, LORD, for I have walked in my integrity. I have trusted also in the 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 deeds.

LORD, I love the habitation of your house, the place where your glory dwells.

Don’t 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.