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 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.