Psalms

The Psalter is Israel’s hymnbook: lament, praise, thanksgiving, royal psalms, and wisdom. It trains the heart to speak to God in trouble and in joy, and it points ahead to the Messiah.

Author: David and others
Date: c. 1400–400 BC
Theme: Prayers and songs for every season of the life of faith.
Key verses: Psalm 23; Psalm 51; Psalm 119:105
King James Version

Psalms 26

1Judge 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: 7That 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.

King James Version (1769). Public domain in the United States. The 1611/1769 text is not under copyright.