Harman Patil (Editor)

Psalm 26

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Psalm 26

Psalm 26 is the 26th psalm from the Book of Psalms.

Contents

It is "a profession of integrity by a Levite, engaged in worshipping Yahweh in the temple choir. (1) He professes integrity in walk, and unwavering trust in Yahweh, as attested by Yahweh Himself (v.1-2). (2) Ever conscious of the divine kindness and faithfulness, he abstains from all association with the wicked (v.3-4). (3) He hates the company of the wicked and purifies himself for sacrifice (v.5-6). (4) He loves the temple (v.8), and stands in its choir blessing Yahweh (v.12). A later editor by additions and changes introduces elements of prayer (v.1a, 9-11) and worship (v.7)."

According to Charles and Emilie Briggs, it is to be dated within the Persian period (539 to 333 BCE).

Structure

The Psalm is divided into 2 parts

  1. Verse 1-1: Please and affirmation of justice for the Psalmist
  2. Verse 12: certainty of being heard and confident vows

The following observations can be made:

  • The absence of a complaint. The peculiarity of the absence of an action falls on the Psalm: there is no reference to the wicked, which poses a risk for the psalmist in any way.
  • The highlighting of the temple. The psalm refers not only to the "house of the Lord" (verse 8) and "Assembly" (verse 12), but also to the rites that are performed by the Psalmist in the Temple: the symbolic washing of hands, the circumambulation of the altar (verse 6) and the subsequent singing (verse 7).

    • Judaism

    In Judaism, verse 8 is the third verse of Ma Tovu.

    Among Catholics

    According to the monastic tradition this psalm was since St. Benedict of Nursia, performed during the celebration of matins of Sunday Today, Psalm 26 is recited or sung at midday Friday.

    Musical settings

    Johann Sebastian Bach used the second verse in German as the text for the opening movement of his Christmas cantata Unser Mund sei voll Lachens, BWV 110 (1725). Jules van Nuffel set the complete psalm in Latin, In convertendo Dominus.

    References

    Psalm 26 Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA