Of David

(Psalm 26)

 

 

Enter into the controversy,

YeHOWAH.

Vindicate me,

O, Self-Existent, Eternal One,

For I, in innocence of heart

And integrity of mind

Have taken staff in hand

To travel the correct path.

And in YeHOWAH

Have I got placed confidence—

I lay upon the ground

Before Him;

I cast my burdens

Upon His back.

I will not waver about

On feeble legs.

I will not totter and fall.

 

Have I not turned away

From the dwelling place

Of the empty,

Of the void,

Of those lacking?

These mortal men

Whose lives are as

The crashing of waves

Filled with destructive power,

Laying waste—

People whose deeds reach

Beyond the field of time and space,

Whose plans are hidden, furtive.

I will not dwell among them,

Nor will I fill

The emptiness by entering in.

 

My haters,

The assembly of those

Who rush at me,

To afflict,

To break,

To crush:

These, who have left the correct path,

The morally wrong—

With these who are guilty of death,

I shall not abide,

I will not settle

Nor set up my habitation

Among them.

I will not establish

Nor take in marriage

The guilty and condemned.

 

Wash my garments

In purity.

Cleanse me

In innocence.

With the hollows of my hands,

I will cast forth a sacrifice.

I will send forth incense

Unto Your altar,

O YeHOWAH.

 

I will hear with understanding.

My voice shall confess

Thanksgiving,

Praise,

And hymns of joy.

I will distinguish

All Your extraordinary works.

I will declare every part of them.

 

I breathe with longing,

I greatly desire

Your dwelling place,

O, Self-Existent, Eternal One,

The curtains of splendor,

And the abundance and riches

Found in the tent of Your habitation!

 

Do not draw me back

Or gather me

Together with the rotten fruit:

The one counted as guilty,

The one who bears the blame.

Do not collect my nephesh—

My living, breathing self—

With the men stained

With the blood of the innocent.

Their plans and devices

Are evil counsel,

The works of their hands

Idolatry,

Lewdness,

Adultery,

Fornication,

And wickedness.

 

Yet,

In simplicity

And uprightness,

I take staff in hand,

I travel upon the correct path.

Pay the ransom for me!

Loose me from bondage

And set me free!

Pity me,

For I am very low.

Stoop with kindness

And show Your favor

Toward me.

 

I stand firm.

My feet rest in level country.

Among the congregation,

I will kneel and place a gift

Before YeHOWAH,

The Power and Authority

In Yashar’EL.