Discovery BoxPsalms 26:4-10 
Context26:4 I do not associate 1 with deceitful men,
or consort 2 with those who are dishonest. 3
26:5 I hate the mob 4 of evil men,
and do not associate 5 with the wicked.
26:6 I maintain a pure lifestyle, 6
so I can appear before your altar, 7 O Lord,
and to tell about all your amazing deeds. 9
26:8 O Lord, I love the temple where you live, 10
the place where your splendor is revealed. 11
26:9 Do not sweep me away 12 with sinners,
or execute me along with violent people, 13
26:10 who are always ready to do wrong 14
or offer a bribe. 15
1 tn Heb “sit.”
2 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.
3 tn Heb “[those who] conceal themselves.”
4 tn Heb “assembly, company.”
5 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.
6 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.
7 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.
8 tn Heb “to cause to be heard the sound of thanksgiving.”
9 tn The two infinitival forms (both with prefixed preposition -לְ, lamed) give the purpose for his appearance at the altar.
10 tn Heb “the dwelling of your house.”
11 tn Heb “the place of the abode of your splendor.”
12 tn Heb “do not gather up my life with.”
13 tn Heb “or with men of bloodshed my life.” The verb is supplied; it is understood by ellipsis (see the preceding line).
14 tn Heb “who [have] in their hands evil.”
15 tn Heb “and their right hand is full of a bribe.”
