Discovery BoxPsalms 26:2-6 
Context26:2 Examine me, O Lord, and test me!
Evaluate my inner thoughts and motives! 1
26:3 For I am ever aware of your faithfulness, 2
and your loyalty continually motivates me. 3
26:4 I do not associate 4 with deceitful men,
or consort 5 with those who are dishonest. 6
26:5 I hate the mob 7 of evil men,
and do not associate 8 with the wicked.
26:6 I maintain a pure lifestyle, 9
so I can appear before your altar, 10 O Lord,
1 tn Heb “evaluate my kidneys and my heart.” The kidneys and heart were viewed as the seat of one’s volition, conscience, and moral character.
2 tn Heb “for your faithfulness [is] before my eyes.”
3 tn Heb “and I walk about in your loyalty.”
sn The psalmist’s awareness of the Lord’s faithfulness and…loyalty toward him motivates him to remain loyal to the Lord and to maintain his moral purity.
4 tn Heb “sit.”
5 tn Heb “go.” The psalmist uses the imperfect form of the verb to emphasize that he does not make a practice of associating with such people.
6 tn Heb “[those who] conceal themselves.”
7 tn Heb “assembly, company.”
8 tn Heb “sit.” The psalmist uses the imperfect form of the verb to emphasize that he does not make a practice of associating with such people.
9 tn Heb “I wash my hands in innocence.” The psalmist uses an image from cultic ritual to picture his moral lifestyle. The imperfect verbal emphasizes that this is his habit.
10 tn Heb “so I can go around your altar” (probably in ritual procession). Following the imperfect of the preceding line, the cohortative with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose or result.
