By David.
26:1 Vindicate me, O Lord,
for I have integrity, 2
and I trust in the Lord without wavering.
37:3 Trust in the Lord and do what is right!
Settle in the land and maintain your integrity! 3
37:37 Take note of the one who has integrity! Observe the godly! 4
For the one who promotes peace has a future. 5
41:12 As for me, you uphold 6 me because of my integrity; 7
you allow 8 me permanent access to your presence. 9
1 sn Psalm 26. The author invites the Lord to test his integrity, asserts his innocence and declares his loyalty to God.
2 tn Heb “for I in my integrity walk.”
3 tn Heb “tend integrity.” The verb רָעָה (ra’ah, “tend, shepherd”) is probably used here in the sense of “watch over, guard.” The noun אֱמוּנָה (’emunah, “faithfulness, honesty, integrity”) is understood as the direct object of the verb, though it could be taken as an adverbial accusative, “[feed] securely,” if the audience is likened to a flock of sheep.
4 tn Or “upright.”
5 tn Heb “for [there is] an end for a man of peace.” Some interpret אַחֲרִית (’akharit, “end”) as referring to offspring (see the next verse and Ps 109:13; cf. NEB, NRSV).
6 tn Or “have upheld.” The perfect verbal form can be taken as generalizing/descriptive (present) or as a present perfect.
7 sn Because of my integrity. See Pss 7:8; 25:21; 26:1, 11.
8 tn The prefixed verbal form with vav (ו) consecutive has the same aspectual function as the preceding perfect. It is either generalizing/descriptive (present) or has a present perfect nuance (“you have allowed”).
9 tn Heb “and you cause me to stand before you permanently.”