(= Psalm 26 in Hebrew numbering)
Judica me, Domine, quoniam ego in innocentia mea ingressus sum
This is a prayer of integrity and devotion. The speaker appeals to God’s justice, declaring his innocence and asking to be spared the fate of the wicked. It is both introspective and liturgical — the words of someone approaching the temple with clean hands and a pure heart.
1. Judica me, Domine, quoniam ego in innocentia mea ingressus sum:
Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in my innocence.
Word Notes
- iūdicō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to judge, decide
- Dominus, -ī (m.) – Lord
- quoniam – because, for
- innocentia, -ae (f.) – innocence, integrity
- ingredior, -ī, -gressus sum – to enter, walk
2. Et in Domino sperans, non infirmabor.
And trusting in the Lord, I shall not be weakened.
Word Notes
- spērō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to hope, trust
- infirmor, -ārī, -ātus sum – to grow weak, fail
3. Proba me, Domine, et tenta me:
Prove me, O Lord, and test me.
Word Notes
- probō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to test, approve
- tentō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to try, tempt, examine
4. Ure renes meos et cor meum.
Burn (examine) my reins and my heart.
Word Notes
- ūrō, -ere, ussī, ustum – to burn, purify
- rēnēs, -ium (m. pl.) – kidneys, reins (symbol of inner feeling)
- cor, cordis (n.) – heart
5. Quoniam misericordia tua ante oculos meos est:
For your mercy is before my eyes.
Word Notes
- misericordia, -ae (f.) – mercy, loving-kindness
- ante oculōs – before the eyes, in sight
6. Et complacui in veritate tua.
And I have walked in your truth.
Word Notes
- complaceō, -ēre, -uī, -itum – to please, take delight (here: “to live in accord”)
- vēritās, -ātis (f.) – truth
7. Non sedi cum concilio vanitatis:
I have not sat with the council of vanity.
Word Notes
- sedeō, -ēre, sēdī, sessum – to sit
- concilium, -ī (n.) – council, assembly
- vanitās, -ātis (f.) – emptiness, vanity
8. Et cum iniqua gerentibus non introibo.
Nor will I enter in with those who act unjustly.
Word Notes
- iniquus, -a, -um – unjust, wicked
- gerō, -ere, gessī, gestum – to bear, conduct, act
- introeō, -īre, -īvī, -itum – to go in, enter
9. Odio habui ecclesiam malignantium:
I have hated the assembly of evildoers.
Word Notes
- odium, -ī (n.) – hatred
- habeō, -ēre, -uī, -itum – to have, hold
- ecclēsia, -ae (f.) – assembly, congregation
- malignus, -a, -um – wicked, malicious
10. Et cum impiis non sedebo.
And I will not sit with the wicked.
Word Notes
- impius, -a, -um – impious, wicked
11. Lavabo inter innocentes manus meas:
I will wash my hands among the innocent.
Word Notes
- lavō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to wash
- inter (+ acc.) – among
- innocēns, -entis – innocent, blameless
- manus, -ūs (f.) – hand
12. Et circumdabo altare tuum, Domine.
And I will go round your altar, O Lord.
Word Notes
- circumdō, -dare, -dedī, -datus – to surround, go around
- altāre, -is (n.) – altar
13. Ut audiam vocem laudis, et enarrem universa mirabilia tua.
That I may hear the voice of praise and tell of all your wondrous works.
Word Notes
- audiō, -īre, -īvī, -ītum – to hear
- vōx, vōcis (f.) – voice
- laus, laudis (f.) – praise
- enarrō, -āre, -āvī, -ātum – to declare, recount
- ūniversus, -a, -um – all, every
- mīrābilis, -e – wonderful, marvellous
14. Domine, dilexi decorem domus tuæ, et locum habitationis gloriæ tuæ.
O Lord, I have loved the beauty of your house, and the place where your glory dwells.
Word Notes
- dīligō, -ere, dīlēxī, dīlēctum – to love, cherish
- decus, -oris (n.) – beauty, honour
- domus, -ūs (f.) – house
- habitātiō, -ōnis (f.) – dwelling, abode
- glōria, -ae (f.) – glory
15. Ne perdas cum impiis animam meam:
Destroy not my soul with the impious.
Word Notes
- perdō, -ere, -didī, -ditum – to destroy, lose
- anima, -ae (f.) – soul, life
- impius, -a, -um – ungodly, wicked
16. Et cum viris sanguinum vitam meam.
Nor my life with men of blood.
Word Notes
- vir, virī (m.) – man
- sanguis, -inis (m.) – blood
- vita, -ae (f.) – life
17. In quorum manibus iniquitates sunt: dextera eorum repleta est muneribus.
In whose hands are iniquities, and their right hand is full of bribes.
Word Notes
- manus, -ūs (f.) – hand
- iniquitās, -ātis (f.) – wickedness, injustice
- dextera, -ae (f.) – right hand
- repleō, -ēre, -ēvī, -ētum – to fill
- mūnus, -eris (n.) – gift, bribe
18. Ego autem in innocentia mea ingressus sum:
But as for me, I have walked in my innocence.
Word Notes
- ego autem – but I
- ingredior, -ī, -gressus sum – to go, walk
- innocentia, -ae (f.) – integrity, blamelessness
19. Redime me, et miserere mei.
Redeem me, and have mercy on me.
Word Notes
- redimō, -ere, -ēmī, -ēmptum – to redeem, buy back
- miserēor, -ērī, -itus sum – to pity, have mercy on
20. Pes meus stetit in directo:
My foot has stood in the right way.
Word Notes
- pēs, pedis (m.) – foot
- stō, stāre, stetī, statum – to stand
- dīrectum, -ī (n.) – straight path, right place
21. In ecclesiis benedicam te, Domine.
In the assemblies I will bless you, O Lord.
Word Notes
- ecclēsia, -ae (f.) – assembly, congregation
- benedīcō, -ere, -dīxī, -dictum – to bless, praise
This psalm beautifully unites moral purity with public worship, culminating in the confident declaration:
In ecclesiis benedicam te, Domine. — “In the congregations I will bless you, O Lord.”