Song (Psalm) 26

Note: This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public. Some things (like capitalisation of ‘him’ referring to Jesus or ‘father’ referring to God) in the RV haven’t been decided yet so we’re still testing both ways.

Note: The Readers’ Version on the left is a translation into contemporary English aimed at the person on the street who hasn’t necessarily been brought up with exposure to Biblical jargon and/or 500-year old English. It’s designed to be used alongside the Literal Version on the right which gives the English reader a window into what’s actually written in the original languages. (See the introduction for more details—we recommend that you read the introduction first if you’re wanting to fully understand the Literal Version.) By comparing the left and right columns, you should be able to easily get the message of the text, while at the same time keeping an eye on what it was actually translated from.

Note that greyed words in the RV are words that the translators consider were most probably in the mind of the writer, but as none of us can double-check with the original speakers or writers, the reader is free to disagree. They are clearly marked because we’ve tried to be as honest and transparent as possible.

The lighter coloured words in the LV are words which aren’t needed in the grammar of the original languages but are required or implied in English. You can read the Key to learn more about them. The underlines joining words in the LV show when one original language word needs to be translated into two or more English words. (Just hide them with the button if you don’t need that information and find it distracting.) Also, the majority of sentences in the LV don’t have the words put into a sensible English order yet. (This should be completed by the end of 2023.)

Readers’ Version

Literal Version

26:1 A prayer of a godly person

Plea for Justice and Declaration of Righteousness; The Prayer of a Good Person

A song by David.

For David; A psalm of David.; Of David.

26 ≈Declare me innocent, Yahweh, because I have walked with integrity.

≈I’ve trusted in Yahweh without wavering.

2 Examine me, Yahweh, and test me.

≈≈Check out my mind and my motives.

3 ≈I keep my eyes on your loyal commitment,

≈and I walk about in your faithfulness.

4 I don’t associate with deceitful people,

≈or with those who are dishonest.

5 I ≈avoid the #gatherings of evildoers,

≈and I don’t ≈meet with the wicked.

6 I wash my hands in innocence,

and I go around your altar, Yahweh,

7 to sing a praise song

≈and to tell about all the wonderful ≈things you’ve done.

8 Yahweh, I love the house where you live,

≈the place ≈where your power and splendour is continually displayed.

9 Don’t remove me along with sinners,

≈or my life with people ≈blood on their hands—

10 ≈people who are plotting wickedness,

and whose ≈pockets are full of bribes.

11 But as for me, I’ll walk with integrity.

≈Release me from my slavery and have mercy on me.

12 My #feet stand on level ground.

I will bless Yahweh at &our gatherings.

↑ 26  of_Dāvid\f + \fr 26:1 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

26.

1\f* vindicate_me Oh_YHWH if/because I in/on/at/with_integrity_of_my I_have_walked and_in/on/at/with_LORD I_have_trusted not I_will_slip.

2 Prove_me Oh_YHWH and_try_me test\f + \fr 26:2 \ft OSHB variant note: צרופ/ה: (x-qere) ’צָרְפָ֖/ה’: lemma_6884 morph_HVqv2ms/Sh id_196Zy צָרְפָ֖/ה\f* heart_of_my and_mind_of_my.

3 If/because steadfast_love_of_your at_before eyes_of_my and_walk in/on/at/with_truth_of_your.

4 Not I_sit with men_of falsehood and_with those_who_conceal_themselves not I_go.

5 I_hate the_assembly_of evil-doers and_with wicked_people not I_sit.

6 I_wash in/on/at/with_innocence hands_of_my and_go_around DOM altar_of_your Oh_YHWH.

7 To_proclaiming in/on/at/with_voice_of thanksgiving and_to_telling all_of wondrous_deeds_of_your.

8 Oh_YHWH I_love the_habitation_of house_of_you and_place_of the_dwelling_of glory_of_your.

9 Do_not remove with sinners soul_of_my and_with people_of blood(s) life_of_my.

10 Who in/on/at/with_hands_of_whose wickedness and_right_hands_of_whose it_is_full a_bribe.

11 And_me in/on/at/with_integrity_of_my I_will_walk redeem_me and_gracious_me.

12 Foot_of_my it_has_stood in/on/at/with_level_ground in/on/at/with_assemblies I_will_bless YHWH.