NASB (Modified within brackets [ ])
1 Vindicate me, O LORD, for
I have walked in my integrity,
And I have trusted in the LORD without
wavering.
2 Examine me, O LORD, and
try me;
Test my mind and my heart.
3 For Your lovingkindness
is before my eyes,
And I have walked in Your truth.
4 I do not sit with deceitful
men,
Nor will I go with pretenders.
5 I hate the assembly of
evildoers,
And I
will not sit with the wicked.
6 I shall wash my hands
in innocence,
[So that I may proceed around] Your altar, O
LORD,
7 [To be heard]
with the voice of thanksgiving
And to declare all Your wonders.
8 O LORD,I love the
habitation of Your house
And the place where Your glory dwells.
9 Do not take my soul away
along with sinners,
Nor my life with men of bloodshed,
10 In whose hands is a wicked
scheme,
And
whose right hand is full of bribes.
11 But as for me, I shall walk
in my integrity;
Redeem me, and be gracious to me.
12 My foot stands on a level
place;
In the congregations I shall bless the
LORD.
Effect of the Metric
Center
A number of striking
features leap out of this psalm: (1) The perfect aspect phrase in verse 1 (אֲ֭נִי בְּתֻמִּ֣י הָלַ֑כְתִּי) that is replicated
in verse 11 in the imperfect aspect (וַ֭אֲנִי בְּתֻמִּ֥י
אֵלֵ֗ךְ) establishing an inclusio and clearly marking an
important dimension of the psalm. (2) The polar opposites in verses 5 and 8 (שָׂ֭נֵאתִי / אָ֭הַבְתִּי)
that surround the center-focused verses 6 and 7. (3) The chiastic
structure of verses 4 and 5 marked by the perfect aspect phrase beginning verse
4 (לֹא־יָ֭שַׁבְתִּי) and the imperfect
aspect phrase concluding verse 5 (לֹ֣א אֵשֵֽׁב).
The first two features clearly point to a central focus and the third
reinforces the negative emotions of the psalmist that appears to be balanced by
his positive emotions in verse 8.
Craigie, Psalms, 226, draws attention to
verses 6 and 7,
Only when the hands were clean, which in turn symbolized the inner cleansing of heart and mind (cf. v 2b and Ps 24:4), was it possible for the pilgrim to pass beyond the gates into the temple, where he could walk around the altar, the symbol of God’s presence and mercy. The altar was more than just the place of sacrifice; it symbolized God’s table, where his fellowship and presence could be known. Verses 6b-7 are anticipatory; they express the basic desire of the psalmist towards which the entire entrance liturgy was directed, namely admission to God’s house and the particular experience of his presence there, which in turn evoked from the worshiper both ‘praise’ and a recounting of God’s ‘wondrous deeds’ (v 7).
Verse 6a finalizes the psalmist’s declarations of
innocence from wrongdoing that pervades verses 1-5, and verses 6b-7 focus
attention on the temple, the locus on God’s presence and fellowship with those
who are blameless. Not claiming perfect righteousness, the psalmist appeals to
Yahweh’s mercy in verses 9-10 and Yahweh’s grace in verse 11b after reasserting
his determination to walk in spiritual integrity in verses 11a. Verse 12a
echoes the sentiment of verse 1 that he psalmist will not allow any slippage (אֶמְעָֽד) of his personal integrity and faith in
Yahweh since he is keeping his foot on a level plane, perhaps implying the
twisted thinking of the deceitful men and pretenders in verse 4. The final two
elements in verse 12b also have a rearward look: The “congregations” (מַקְהֵלִ֗ים) the psalmist is determined to join
contrasts with the “assembly of evildoers” (קְהַ֣ל
מְרֵעִ֑ים) he hates, and the concluding statement of praise summarizes
his desire expressed in verse 7.
In conclusion, the central focus of Psalm 26
provides the impetus for maintaining spiritual integrity
(אֲ֭נִי בְּתֻמִּ֣י הָלַ֑כְתִּי / וַ֭אֲנִי
בְּתֻמִּ֥י אֵלֵ֗ךְ) by elevating the importance of worship
and fellowship with God.
Summary
