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Psalm 26:1-12

Examine Me

Lyrics · Psalms

Examine Me

Psalm 26:1-12

Lyrics

About this song

About this song

This song belongs to the Psalms collection. One recording is available to play here, with the complete lyrics below.

Bible book
Psalms
Collection
Psalms
Musical styles
Acoustic
Judge me, Lord; I have walked it honestly. I have leaned on the Lord, So I am not going to slip. Examine me. Put me to the test. Go through what I want and what I feel. Your kindness has stayed in front of my eyes, And I have walked in what is true from You. I have not sat down with people who are empty, And I will not go along with those who put on a face. I have no love for the company of people who do harm; I will not take a seat with them. I will wash my hands to show they are clean And walk around Your altar, Lord, So I can say out loud what I am thankful for And tell what You have done that no one else could have done. Lord, I have loved the house where You live, The place where Your weight and Your honour rest. Do not sweep me up with those who miss the mark, Or count my life with men who deal in blood, Whose hands are full of schemes And whose right hand is heavy with bribes. But I will keep walking it honestly. Buy me back. Be kind to me. My foot is standing on level ground, And in the gathering I will bless the Lord.

About the passage

Psalms 26: An examined life at the altar

Psalm 26 is bold enough to ask for judgment and humble enough to ask for examination. The Book of Psalms places the speaker's claim of integrity under verbs of testing: examine, prove, and try the inward life. His separation from deceitful company is not social fastidiousness for its own sake; it is paired with love for God's house, clean hands at the altar, thanksgiving, and public praise. The poem repeatedly contrasts gatherings, hands, and places of standing. Violent people hold mischief and bribes, while the speaker washes his hands and circles the altar. Yet integrity never becomes a replacement for grace. Near the end, the same person who declares his walk asks, "redeem me, and be merciful unto me." The psalm closes on level ground among the congregations, with a life first submitted to scrutiny now imagined standing openly in worship.

Study Psalms 26 in depth