Discovery BoxPsalms 26:4-6 
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,
Psalms 26:9-11
Context26:9 Do not sweep me away 8 with sinners,
or execute me along with violent people, 9
26:10 who are always ready to do wrong 10
or offer a bribe. 11
26:11 But I have integrity! 12
Rescue me 13 and have mercy on me!
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 “do not gather up my life with.”
9 tn Heb “or with men of bloodshed my life.” The verb is supplied; it is understood by ellipsis (see the preceding line).
10 tn Heb “who [have] in their hands evil.”
11 tn Heb “and their right hand is full of a bribe.”
12 tn Heb “and I in my integrity walk.” The psalmist uses the imperfect verbal form to emphasize this is his practice. The construction at the beginning of the verse (conjunction + pronoun) highlights the contrast between the psalmist and the sinners mentioned in vv. 9-10.
13 tn Or “redeem me.”
