I WILL PRAISE THE 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. Test me, LORD (1-7)

David sought the LORD's vindication. He sought to lead a blameless life. This meant trusting in the LORD. It meant living in the sight of God who tests us and who knows our hearts and minds completely. Noah was described as a man who walked with God and was blameless among the people of his time (Gn 6:9). In the same way, David relied on God's faithful love. He did not associate with wicked people; he sought God and proclaimed his praises.

2. I love the house where you live (8-12)

David loved the house of God. It is the place where God is worshipped. It looks forward to the heavenly kingdom, where the LORD dwells in true glory. With this hope David did not live a pleasure-seeking life in this world. He did not live like those who seek their own benefit or the praise of others. He instead sought the LORD who promised deliverance and mercy. He stood in the congregation of the people of God and praised the LORD.

Prayer: LORD, help me to live before you and proclaim aloud your praises.

One Word: Praise the LORD