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Trinity/After Pentecost · The Eighth Sunday after Trinity

Psalm 26

A Plea for Vindication and Integrity

July 26, 2026

King David, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri)
King David, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri), 1651National Gallery, London
A half-length of David with his harp, turned sharply in the light, painted in the warm and loosely brushed manner of Guercino's early years.I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O Lord. Psalm 26 is a protest of integrity, and this is the man who wrote it.National Gallery, LondonFounded in 1824 by buying one banker's collection, and deliberately placed in Trafalgar Square so that people from every part of London could walk to it.National Gallery, London
Historic One-Year Lectionary
GospelMatt. 7:15-23Mt 7:15-23
EpistleRom. 8:12-17Rom 8:12-17Alt. EpistleActs 20:27-38
Old TestamentJer. 23:16-29Jer 23:16-29
PsalterPs. 26Ps 26

Overview & Insights

"Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering." (Psalm 26:1)

The psalmist protests his innocence, asks God to examine his heart, and declares his love for the house of God, seeking vindication and a place among the upright.

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Take it further: Psalm 26

Commentary

Enduring Word Bible Commentary Psalm 26Enduring Word Bible Commentary Ps 26 Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on the plea of integrity and love for God's house.

Psalm 26:1 CommentariesPs 26:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentators on the prayer to be vindicated and tested.

Background & Word Study

Psalms 26 in HebrewPs 26 in Hebrew Sefaria

The Hebrew text with English alongside and traditional Jewish commentary links.

Psalm 26:1 Hebrew InterlinearPs 26:1 Hebrew Interlinear BibleHub

Hebrew word by word with parsing for integrity, testing, and the love of God's house.

The Church Fathers

Commentary on Psalm 26 from the Church FathersCommentary on Ps 26 from the Church Fathers Catena

Patristic comment verse by verse on the plea of integrity and the love of the sanctuary.

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