Bible Commentaries
Psalms 26

Verse 1

Title. of David = by David, or concerning the true David.

Judge me = Vindicate me, or Do me justice.

LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

trusted = confided. Hebrew. batah. App-69 .

Verse 2

reins = kidneys.

reins . . . heart. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for thoughts and feelings.

Verse 3

walked = walked habitually.

Verse 5

congregation = assembly: in its military aspect.

wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha' App-44 .

Verse 6

altar. No need to suppose this to refer to the Temple or later period than David. The altars of burnt offering and incense were in use from the time of the Exodus.

Verse 7

tell of = recount.

Verse 8

habitation = dwelling: implying safety.

house. Referring not to the Temple, but to David's Tabernacle on Zion. Compare Psalms 5:7 , and see below.

the place, &c. = the place of Thy glorious Tabernacle.

dwelleth. Hebrew. shakan. See note on "placed" (Genesis 3:24 ).

Verse 9

Gather not = Destroy not. Hebrew. 'asaph. A Homonym. See note on "receive" (Numbers 12:14 , Numbers 12:15 ).

my soul = me (emphatic). Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 10

mischief = lewdness.

Verse 11

Redeem = deliver (by power). Hebrew. padah. See note on Psalms 25:22 .

be merciful = show me favour, or be gracious.

Verse 12

congregations = assemblies; or plural of majesty = the great assembly. Occurs only here, and Psalms 68:26 .