| Psalm 26 | |
|---|---|
| "Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity" | |
Samuel anointing David, illumination of Psalm 26 from the Saint Bertin psalter
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| Other name |
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| Language | Hebrew (original) |
| Psalm 26 | |
|---|---|
← Psalm 25 Psalm 27 → | |
| Book | Book of Psalms |
| Hebrew Bible part | Ketuvim |
| Order in the Hebrew part | 1 |
| Category | Sifrei Emet |
| Christian Bible part | Old Testament |
| Order in the Christian part | 19 |
Psalm 26, the 26th psalm of the Book of Psalmsinthe Bible, begins (in the King James Version): "Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity".
The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 25. In Latin, it is known as "Iudica me Domine".[1] The psalm is attributed to David by its sub-title.[2] Albert Barnes argues that "there is no reason to doubt the correctness of the superscription",[3] but according to Charles and Emilie Briggs, it is to be dated within the Persian period (539 to 333 BCE).[4] The Briggs describe the psalm as
a profession of integrity by a Levite, engaged in worshipping Yahweh in the temple choir. (1) He professes integrity in walk, and unwavering trust in Yahweh, as attested by Yahweh Himself (v.1-2). (2) Ever conscious of the divine kindness and faithfulness, he abstains from all association with the wicked (v.3-4). (3) He hates the company of the wicked and purifies himself for sacrifice (v.5-6). (4) He loves the temple (v.8), and stands in its choir blessing Yahweh (v.12) [4]
They add that the "elements of prayer and worship" in verses 9 to 11 are additions by a later editor.[4]
The psalm forms a regular part of Jewish, Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican and Nonconformist Protestant liturgies.
The following table shows the Hebrew text[5][6] of the Psalm with vowels alongside an English translation based upon the JPS 1917 translation (now in the public domain).
| Verse | Hebrew | English translation (JPS 1917) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | לְדָוִ֨ד ׀ שׇׁפְטֵ֤נִי יְהֹוָ֗ה כִּֽי־אֲ֭נִי בְּתֻמִּ֣י הָלַ֑כְתִּי וּבַיהֹוָ֥ה בָּ֝טַ֗חְתִּי לֹ֣א אֶמְעָֽד׃ | [A Psalm] of David. Judge me, O LORD, for I have walked in mine integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. |
| 2 | בְּחָנֵ֣נִי יְהֹוָ֣ה וְנַסֵּ֑נִי (צרופה) [צׇרְפָ֖ה] כִלְיוֹתַ֣י וְלִבִּֽי׃ | Examine me, O LORD, and try me; test my reins and my heart. |
| 3 | כִּֽי־חַ֭סְדְּךָ לְנֶ֣גֶד עֵינָ֑י וְ֝הִתְהַלַּ֗כְתִּי בַּאֲמִתֶּֽךָ׃ | For Thy mercy is before mine eyes; and I have walked in Thy truth. |
| 4 | לֹֽא־יָ֭שַׁבְתִּי עִם־מְתֵי־שָׁ֑וְא וְעִ֥ם נַ֝עֲלָמִ֗ים לֹ֣א אָבֽוֹא׃ | I have not sat with men of falsehood; neither will I go in with dissemblers. |
| 5 | שָׂ֭נֵאתִי קְהַ֣ל מְרֵעִ֑ים וְעִם־רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים לֹ֣א אֵשֵֽׁב׃ | I hate the gathering of evil doers, and will not sit with the wicked. |
| 6 | אֶרְחַ֣ץ בְּנִקָּי֣וֹן כַּפָּ֑י וַאֲסֹבְבָ֖ה אֶת־מִזְבַּחֲךָ֣ יְהֹוָֽה׃ | I will wash my hands in innocency; so will I compass Thine altar, O LORD, |
| 7 | לַ֭שְׁמִעַ בְּק֣וֹל תּוֹדָ֑ה וּ֝לְסַפֵּ֗ר כׇּל־נִפְלְאוֹתֶֽיךָ׃ | That I may make the voice of thanksgiving to be heard, and tell of all Thy wondrous works. |
| 8 | יְֽהֹוָ֗ה אָ֭הַבְתִּי מְע֣וֹן בֵּיתֶ֑ךָ וּ֝מְק֗וֹם מִשְׁכַּ֥ן כְּבוֹדֶֽךָ׃ | LORD, I love the habitation of Thy house, and the place where Thy glory dwelleth. |
| 9 | אַל־תֶּאֱסֹ֣ף עִם־חַטָּאִ֣ים נַפְשִׁ֑י וְעִם־אַנְשֵׁ֖י דָמִ֣ים חַיָּֽי׃ | Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with men of blood; |
| 10 | אֲשֶׁר־בִּידֵיהֶ֥ם זִמָּ֑ה וִ֝ימִינָ֗ם מָ֣לְאָה שֹּֽׁחַד׃ | In whose hands is craftiness, and their right hand is full of bribes. |
| 11 | וַ֭אֲנִי בְּתֻמִּ֥י אֵלֵ֗ךְ פְּדֵ֣נִי וְחׇנֵּֽנִי׃ | But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity; Redeem me, and be gracious unto me. |
| 12 | רַ֭גְלִי עָמְדָ֣ה בְמִישׁ֑וֹר בְּ֝מַקְהֵלִ֗ים אֲבָרֵ֥ךְ יְהֹוָֽה׃ | My foot standeth in an even place; in the congregations will I bless the LORD. |
The psalm is divided into 2 parts [by whom?]
The following observations can be made:
Speculatively, this psalm is referenced in the story of the public trial of Jesus. After succumbing to the wishes of the gathered crowd, Pontius Pilate purportedly washed his hands to show his innocence of their judgement. In the account, this could function as an outward display of someone mechanically following the psalm verse, but it would be apparent to the original Jewish audience that his abdication of the responsibility of judging justly was not in its spirit.[according to whom?][8]
In Judaism, verse 8 is the third verse of Ma Tovu.[9][10]
According to the monastic tradition this psalm was since St. Benedict of Nursia, performed during the celebration of matins of Sundays.[11] Today, Psalm 26 is recited or sung during the Daytime Hours on Friday Week 1.[12]
Verses 6-12 are said during the Lavabo (washing of the hands) of the Tridentine Mass.
In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm is appointed to be read on the morning of the fifth day of the month.[13]
Heinrich Schütz wrote a setting of a metric paraphrase of Psalm 26 in German, "Herr, schaff mir Recht, nimm dich mein an", SWV 123, for the Becker Psalter, published first in 1628.
