Psalms 26
What Happens in This Chapter
This is a song of David. He asks God to look closely at him and see that he has lived an honest life. He says he stays away from people who lie and hurt others, and he loves the place where God is worshiped. He asks God to save him, and he promises to praise God when people gather together.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
1Show that I am right, LORD. I have lived an honest life. I have trusted the LORD, so my feet will not slip.
2Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
2Test me, LORD. Check me carefully. Look inside my heart and my deepest thoughts.
The KJV says "try my reins." "Reins" was an old word for the kidneys. People then spoke of the kidneys the way we speak of someone's innermost thoughts and feelings.
3For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
3I keep your kind love right in front of my eyes. I have lived the way your truth shows me.
4I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
4I do not sit down with people who tell lies. I do 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. I will not sit down with people who do wrong.
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, the table where gifts are given to God.
Washing your hands here is a sign, not just getting clean. It was a way of showing that you had not done anything wrong.
7That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
7I sing out loud to thank you. I tell everyone about all the wonderful things you do.
8LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
8LORD, I love the house where you live. I love that place where your glory shines.
9Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
9Do not sweep me away with people who sin. Do not take my life along with men who kill.
10In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
10Their hands are busy making evil plans. Their right hands are full of bribes.
A bribe is money given in secret to make someone act unfairly, like a judge who takes money to say the wrong person won.
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 flat, safe ground. I will praise the LORD when people gather together.
← → to turn the page · P for plain English · click a verse to sit with it