TEST ME, O LORD

Passage: Psalms 26:1-12

Key verse: 12

NIV

Psalm 26
Of David.

1 Vindicate me,(A) Lord,
    for I have led a blameless life;(B)
I have trusted(C) in the Lord
    and have not faltered.(D)
2 Test me,(E) Lord, and try me,
    examine my heart and my mind;(F)
3 for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love(G)
    and have lived(H) in reliance on your faithfulness.(I)

4 I do not sit(J) with the deceitful,
    nor do I associate with hypocrites.(K)
5 I abhor(L) the assembly of evildoers
    and refuse to sit with the wicked.
6 I wash my hands in innocence,(M)
    and go about your altar, Lord,
7 proclaiming aloud your praise(N)
    and telling of all your wonderful deeds.(O)

8 Lord, I love(P) the house where you live,
    the place where your glory dwells.(Q)
9 Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
    my life with those who are bloodthirsty,(R)
10 in whose hands are wicked schemes,(S)
    whose right hands are full of bribes.(T)
11 I lead a blameless life;
    deliver me(U) and be merciful to me.

12 My feet stand on level ground;(V)
    in the great congregation(W) I will praise the Lord.

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

I Will Bless the Lord

Of David.

26 (A)Vindicate me, O Lord,
    for I have (B)walked in my integrity,
    and I have (C)trusted in the Lord without wavering.
2 (D)Prove me, O Lord, and try me;
    test my heart and (E)my mind.[a]
3 For your (F)steadfast love is before my eyes,
    and I (G)walk in your (H)faithfulness.

4 I do not (I)sit with men of (J)falsehood,
    nor do I consort with hypocrites.
5 I (K)hate the assembly of evildoers,
    and I will not sit with the wicked.

6 I (L)wash my hands in innocence
    and go around your altar, O Lord,
7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,
    and telling all your (M)wondrous deeds.

8 O Lord, I (N)love the habitation of your house
    and the place where your glory dwells.
9 (O)Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,
    nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
10 in whose hands are evil devices,
    and whose right hands are full of (P)bribes.

11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;
    redeem me, and be gracious to me.
12 My foot stands on (Q)level ground;
    in (R)the great assembly I will bless the Lord.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Psalm 26:2 Hebrew test my kidneys and my heart
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. I have trusted in the Lord (1-8)

The Psalmist was a spiritual man, and a man of high moral character. But he was severely tempted to compromise with the evil society around him. He asks the Lord to test him and examine his heart. He loves God and strives to walk continually in God's truth. He does not associate with deceitful men or make friends with hypocrites. He not only refuses to compromise with evil men, but he lives a positive life, praising God and telling his wonderful deeds. He is not bragging about his righteousness; he is fighting a spiritual battle and is asking God to help him stand on level ground with those who praise God.

2. Redeem me and be merciful to me (9-12)

Even though he tries to live a pure and pious life, he knows that he is a sinner who needs God's mercy, so he asks God to redeem him so that he may not be swallowed up by the wicked schemes of evil men.

Prayer: Lord, help me to walk in your truth and to proclaim your wonderful deeds.

One Word: Proclaim God's wonderful deeds