TORAH
FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES
NEVI'IM
PROPHETS
KETUVIM
WRITINGS

Chapter 26

Listen to this chapter in Hebrew:

1Of David. Vindicate me, Hashem, for I have walked without blame; I have trusted in Hashem; I have not faltered.

l'-da-VID shof-TAY-nee a-do-NAI kee a-NEE b'-tu-MEE ha-LAKH-tee u-va-do-NAI ba-TAKH-tee LO em-AD

אלְדָוִד שָׁפְטֵנִי יְהֹוָה כִּי־אֲנִי בְּתֻמִּי הָלַכְתִּי וּבַיהֹוָה בָּטַחְתִּי לֹא אֶמְעָד׃

26:1   Vindicate me

Rarely do we find a psalm which unabashedly calls out to Hashem for judgment. King David teaches us to always be introspective, and to find ways to improve ourselves and to remain humble before God. However, sometimes, when the circumstances are dire and the enemy is at the door, David will turn to God and ask for judgment. David states that he walked with innocence, truth, and praise of Hashem. He did not surround himself with liars, thieves or wicked men. Rather, he encircled the altar of God, speaking His praise and seeking His final home. Ultimately, in a choir of the multitudes David sings out to Hashem for vindication, and awaits His comforting response.

2Probe me, Hashem, and try me, test my heart and mind;

בבְּחָנֵנִי יְהֹוָה וְנַסֵּנִי צרופה [צָרְפָה] כִלְיוֹתַי וְלִבִּי׃

3for my eyes are on Your steadfast love; I have set my course by it.

גכִּי־חַסְדְּךָ לְנֶגֶד עֵינָי וְהִתְהַלַּכְתִּי בַּאֲמִתֶּךָ׃

4I do not consort with scoundrels, or mix with hypocrites;

דלֹא־יָשַׁבְתִּי עִם־מְתֵי־שָׁוְא וְעִם נַעֲלָמִים לֹא אָבוֹא׃

5I detest the company of evil men, and do not consort with the wicked;

השָׂנֵאתִי קְהַל מְרֵעִים וְעִם־רְשָׁעִים לֹא אֵשֵׁב׃

6I wash my hands in innocence, and walk around Your mizbayach, Hashem,

ואֶרְחַץ בְּנִקָּיוֹן כַּפָּי וַאֲסֹבְבָה אֶת־מִזְבַּחֲךָ יְהֹוָה׃

7raising my voice in thanksgiving, and telling all Your wonders.

זלַשְׁמִעַ בְּקוֹל תּוֹדָה וּלְסַפֵּר כָּל־נִפְלְאוֹתֶיךָ׃

8Hashem, I love Your temple abode, the dwelling-place of Your glory.

חיְהֹוָה אָהַבְתִּי מְעוֹן בֵּיתֶךָ וּמְקוֹם מִשְׁכַּן כְּבוֹדֶךָ׃

9Do not sweep me away with sinners, or [snuff out] my life with murderers,

טאַל־תֶּאֱסֹף עִם־חַטָּאִים נַפְשִׁי וְעִם־אַנְשֵׁי דָמִים חַיָּי׃

10who have schemes at their fingertips, and hands full of bribes.

יאֲשֶׁר־בִּידֵיהֶם זִמָּה וִימִינָם מָלְאָה שֹּׁחַד׃

11But I walk without blame; redeem me, have mercy on me!

יאוַאֲנִי בְּתֻמִּי אֵלֵךְ פְּדֵנִי וְחָנֵּנִי׃

12My feet are on level ground. In assemblies I will bless Hashem.

יברַגְלִי עָמְדָה בְמִישׁוֹר בְּמַקְהֵלִים אֲבָרֵךְ יְהֹוָה׃