26:title Of David See note on 3:title.

26:1 Judge me The Hebrew word used here, shaphat, can mean specifically “to vindicate,” or more generally, “to judge” (Exod 18:13). The psalmist probably uses it in the sense of “to judge,” as he asks Yahweh to examine him and his worth. It functions similar to the questions of Ps 15:1 and 24:3 that ask who can ascend the hill of Yahweh.

I have walked in my integrity The psalmist asserts his worthiness by revealing his integrity (tamim). Walking with integrity is one of the requirements listed for temple entry in Psa 15 (see 15:2 and note).

not wavered The psalmist is not describing perfection; he merely indicates that his trust in Yahweh has given him security (37:31).

26:2 my innermost being and my mind The psalmist asks Yahweh to test his thoughts and intentions, not just his outward actions.

26:3 is before my eyes The psalmist demonstrates his worth by showing that he pays careful attention to Yahweh’s steadfast love (compare note on 25:15).

and I walk about in your faithfulness God’s faithfulness (emeth) is often seen in parallel with His covenantal love (chesed). See 25:10 and note.

26:4 deceitful people The Hebrew word used here, shawe, describes deceptive or false people (see Job 11:11 and note).

hypocrites The Hebrew word used here, alam, means “those who conceal themselves.” The psalmist will not associate with people who are hypocrites and deceitfully conceal their true heart or motives.

26:5 the wicked The Hebrew word used here, rasha' (meaning “to be guilty”), is often used in parallel with the Hebrew word for “evildoer” (Ps 10:15).

26:6 I will wash my hands Those who desired to worship at the temple were required to have clean hands (see 24:4 and note; compare note on vv. title–12).

in innocence By proclaiming his innocence, the psalmist further disassociates himself from the guilty (see note on vv. 4–5).

26:7 your wondrous deeds In Psalms, praise frequently consisted of remembering and recounting God’s past works. See 9:1 and note.

26:8 O Yahweh, I love After proclaiming his disdain for those who oppose Yahweh (v. 6), the psalmist proclaims his love for Yahweh’s temple.

the dwelling of The Hebrew word used here, ma'on—which may be literally rendered as “dwelling place” or “habitation”—could be interpreted as heaven (Deut 26:15). However, the psalmist likely refers to Yahweh’s earthly dwelling place—the temple (compare note on Ps 26:title–12).

the place where your glory abides In the ot, the temple was the place where God’s glory dwelt. See 1 Kgs 8:10–11 and note.

26:10 is full of bribes Psalm 15 indicates that people who took bribes were forbidden from entering the temple (see 15:5 and note).

26:11 Redeem me The word padah used here often occurs in the context of ransoming people from trouble. See note on 25:22.

26:12 stands on level ground. In This aligns with the psalmist’s earlier statement that he has not slipped or faltered (see note on v. 1).

level ground The word mishor (“level”) can describe land that is straight or secure (Isa 26:7). It is related to the term yashar (“upright”) and can describe honesty or righteousness (see Job 1:1 and note).