Psalms
Chapter 26
David asks God to look closely at his life and see that he has lived honestly. He says he has stayed away from liars and cruel people, and has loved the place where God is worshiped. He asks God not to sweep him away along with people who hurt others, and ends by promising to praise God among the gathered people.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
1LORD, decide my case and show I am right. I have lived an honest life. I have trusted the LORD, so I will not slip.
2Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
2Look me over, LORD. Test me. Search my deepest feelings and my heart.
"Try my reins" is old English. The "reins" were the kidneys, which people then thought of as the place where a person's deepest feelings live.
3For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
3I keep your faithful love right in front of my eyes. I have lived by your truth.
4I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
4I do not spend time with people who lie, and I will not go along with people who pretend.
5I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
5I hate the crowd of people who do evil, and I will not sit down with the wicked.
6I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:
6I wash my hands to show I have done nothing wrong. Then I walk around your altar, LORD,
Washing the hands here is a ceremony done near the altar, not ordinary cleaning. It was a way of saying out loud, "I am not guilty."
7That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
7so I can say thank you out loud and tell about all the wonderful things you have done.
8LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
8LORD, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory stays.
9Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
9Do not sweep me away with sinners. Do not take my life along with men who kill,
10In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
10who plan evil with their hands, and whose right hands are full of bribes.
11But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
11But I will keep living an honest life. Save me, and be kind to me.
12My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.
12My feet stand on level ground. When the people gather, I will praise the LORD.
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