Examine Me, Lord
Study note
David invites God to test his heart and mind. He has walked in integrity and kept God's faithful love before his eyes.
1 Examine my case, Lord, because I have tried to live with honesty. I have leaned on the Lord and never wobbled. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
2 Put me to the test, Lord. Dig into my heart and my thoughts and see what you find. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
3 Your loyal love is always before my eyes. I have walked in step with your truth. For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
4 I have not spent time with liars, and I refuse to join people who pretend to be something they are not. I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
5 I stay away from crowds that do evil, and I will not take a seat among the wicked. I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
A Life of Worship
Study note
David washes his hands in innocence and goes around God's altar, giving thanks and telling of God's wonderful works.
6 I wash my hands clean and walk around your altar, Lord, I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:
7 lifting up my voice to give thanks and telling everybody about the wonderful things you have done. That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
8 Lord, I love your house — the place where your magnificent presence lives. LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
A Prayer for Separation from the Wicked
Study note
David asks God not to group him with sinners and violent people. He commits to walking in integrity and asks for mercy and redemption.
9 Don't lump me together with people who live in sin. Don't end my life alongside those who spill blood, Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
10 people whose hands are full of crooked schemes and whose pockets are stuffed with bribes. In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
11 But I keep walking an honest road. Set me free and be kind to me. But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
12 My feet are planted on solid ground. In the great gathering I will praise the Lord. My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.