Psalm 26

W. van der Kamp, 1972

1. O vindicate me, LORD;
   Deceit I have abhorred;
   I’ve walked in my integrity.
   Thy law and word I favor;
   I did not halt or waver
   But constantly have trusted Thee.
   
2. O LORD, in truth enshrined,
   Test Thou my heart and mind,
   Prove all my ways, examine me.
   Let me not fall and perish;
   Thy steadfast love I cherish,
   I walk in faithfulness to Thee.
   
3. With fools I do not sit,
   I hate the hypocrite
   And evildoers’ company.
   My seat I’ve never taken
   With men who have forsaken
   The path of truth, made known by Thee.
   
4. I, from all sin apart,
   In innocence of heart
   Will wash my hands and take my place.
   Around Thy altar singing,
   My voice with rapture ringing,
   I laud Thy wondrous deeds and grace.
   
5. Thy praise I will record.
   I love Thy house, O LORD,
   The place where all Thy glories dwell.
   O let my voice not falter
   When I before Thy altar
   The wonders of Thy might retell.
   
6. Sweep Thou me not away
   With those who disobey
   Thy holy law of truth and light,
   With men of blood and scoffers
   And with the man who offers
   His bribes to lure the weak from right.
   
7. But I shall walk with Thee
   Who vindicatest me.
   My foot stands firm on level ground;
   In the great congregation
   I bless the LORD’s salvation;
   In praise of Him I shall abound.