The big picture
Psalms 26 opens in verse 1 with “Judge me, O LORD ; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 6 with “I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD :”, and closes in verse 12 with “My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD .” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, hands, integrity, place, walked. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 12Psalms 26:1-6
1–6: Judge me, O LORD ; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted…
Psalms 26:1–6 opens with “Judge me, O LORD ; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD …” and reaches “I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD :” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 26 develops its own movement around LORD, hands, integrity, place, walked, with particular weight carried by LORD, walked, altar.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Judge me, O LORD ; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD ; therefore I shall not slide.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Psalms 26:1-6
King James Version1Judge me, O LORD ; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD ; therefore I shall not slide.
2Examine me, O LORD , and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
3For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
4I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
5I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
6I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD :
Psalms 26:7-12
7–12: That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy…
Psalms 26:7–12 opens with “That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.” and reaches “My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD .” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 26 develops its own movement around LORD, hands, integrity, place, walked, with particular weight carried by LORD, place, bless.
Context that brings the passage to life
“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.” The line’s distinctive content terms include publish, tell, thanksgiving. Its relationship to verses 8 shows what work it does in this passage.
Psalms 26:7-12
King James Version7That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
8LORD , I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
9Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
10In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
11But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
12My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD .
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 26:1 begins with “Judge me, O LORD ; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD ; therefore I shall not slide.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 26:11 forms a natural hinge: “But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.”
The final note
Psalms 26:12 leaves the reader with “My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD .”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, hands, integrity, place, walked, altar help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
How does Isaac respond to repeated disputes?
He relocates and digs again until a well is not contested, while later accepting a negotiated peace.
What persists from Abraham's story?
The promise, altars, wells, outsider status and the dangerous sister deception.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.