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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 26:6 I wash my hands in innocence that I may go about Your altar, O LORD,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/26-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/19_Psa_026_006.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 26:6 - Vindicate Me, O LORD" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I wash my hands in innocence that I may go about Your altar, O LORD," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/26-6.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/26-6.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/26.htm">Chapter 26</a> > Verse 6</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad6.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/26-5.htm" title="Psalm 26:5">◄</a> Psalm 26:6 <a href="/psalms/26-7.htm" title="Psalm 26:7">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/26.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/26.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, LORD,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/26.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I wash my hands to declare my innocence. I come to your altar, O LORD,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/26.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O LORD,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/26.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I wash my hands in innocence that I may go about Your altar, O LORD,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/26.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/26.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />I will wash my hands in innocence; So I will go about Your altar, O LORD,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/26.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will wash my hands in innocence, And I will go around Your altar, LORD,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/26.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />I shall wash my hands in innocence, And I will go about Your altar, O LORD,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/26.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />I shall wash my hands in innocence, And I will go about Thine altar, O LORD,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/26.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />I shall wash my hands in innocence, So I will go around Your altar, O Yahweh,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/26.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />I will wash my hands in innocence, And I will go about Your altar, O LORD,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/26.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, LORD,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/26.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I wash my hands in innocence and go around Your altar, LORD, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/26.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />I will wash my hands in innocency: So will I compass thine altar, O Jehovah;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/26.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I wash my hands, LORD, to show my innocence, and I worship at your altar, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/26.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />I will wash mine hands in innocency; so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/26.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I will wash my hands in innocence. I will walk around your altar, O LORD,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/26.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />LORD, I wash my hands to show that I am innocent and march in worship around your altar. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/26.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I wash my hands innocently. I go around your altar, LORD,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/26.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I maintain a pure lifestyle, so I can appear before your altar, O LORD, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/26.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I will wash my hands in innocence, so I will go about your altar, LORD;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/26.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />I will wash my hands in innocence: so will I compass thy altar, O LORD:<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/26.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I wash my hands in innocence that I may go about Your altar, O LORD,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/26.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I will wash my hands in innocence, so I will go about your altar, Yahweh, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/26.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />I wash my hands in innocence, "" And I go around Your altar, O YHWH.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/26.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> I wash in innocency my hands, And I compass Thine altar, O Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/26.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />I will wash my hands in cleanness, and I will surround thine altar, O Jehovah:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/26.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />I will wash my hands among the innocent; and will compass thy altar, O Lord: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/26.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 25:6>I will wash my hands among the innocent, and I will surround your altar, O Lord,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/26.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I will wash my hands in innocence so that I may process around your altar, Lord, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/26.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I wash my hands in innocence, and go around your altar, O LORD,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/26.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I have washed my hands clean, and I have gone around thy altar, O LORD,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/26.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />I have washed my hands purely, and I have gone around your altar, LORD JEHOVAH.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/26.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />I will wash my hands in innocency; So will I compass Thine altar, O LORD,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/26.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />I will wash my hands in innocency, and compass thine altar, O Lord:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/26-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=2705" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/26.htm">Vindicate Me, O LORD</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">5</span>I hate the mob of evildoers, and refuse to sit with the wicked. <span class="reftext">6</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7364.htm" title="7364: ’er·ḥaṣ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To wash, wash off or away, bathe. A primitive root; to lave.">I wash</a> <a href="/hebrew/3709.htm" title="3709: kap·pāy (N-fdc:: 1cs) -- Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan. From kaphaph; the hollow hand or palm; figuratively, power.">my hands</a> <a href="/hebrew/5356.htm" title="5356: bə·niq·qā·yō·wn (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- Innocency. Or niqqayon; from naqah; clearness.">in innocence</a> <a href="/hebrew/5437.htm" title="5437: wa·’ă·sō·ḇə·ḇāh (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjImperf.Cohort-1cs) -- A primitive root; to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively.">that I may go about</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: miz·ba·ḥă·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">Your altar,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">O LORD,</a> </span><span class="reftext">7</span>to raise my voice in thanksgiving and declare all Your wonderful works.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/30-19.htm">Exodus 30:19-21</a></span><br />with which Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet. / Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister by presenting a food offering to the LORD, they must wash with water so that they will not die. / Thus they are to wash their hands and feet so that they will not die; this shall be a permanent statute for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-22.htm">Hebrews 10:22</a></span><br />let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-8.htm">James 4:8</a></span><br />Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-16.htm">Isaiah 1:16</a></span><br />Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-7.htm">1 John 1:7</a></span><br />But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/73-13.htm">Psalm 73:13</a></span><br />Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-24.htm">Matthew 27:24</a></span><br />When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-11.htm">1 Corinthians 6:11</a></span><br />And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/7-14.htm">Revelation 7:14</a></span><br />“Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/15-11.htm">Leviticus 15:11</a></span><br />If the man with the discharge touches anyone without first rinsing his hands with water, the one who was touched must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/13-8.htm">John 13:8-10</a></span><br />“Never shall You wash my feet!” Peter told Him. Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.” / “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!” / Jesus told him, “Whoever has already bathed needs only to wash his feet, and he will be completely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/7-1.htm">2 Corinthians 7:1</a></span><br />Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-7.htm">Psalm 51:7</a></span><br />Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/8-21.htm">Numbers 8:21</a></span><br />The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes, and Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the LORD. Aaron also made atonement for them to cleanse them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/36-25.htm">Ezekiel 36:25</a></span><br />I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">I will wash my hands in innocence: so will I compass your altar, O LORD:</p><p class="hdg">wash</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/24-4.htm">Psalm 24:4</a></b></br> He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/73-13.htm">Psalm 73:13</a></b></br> Verily I have cleansed my heart <i>in</i> vain, and washed my hands in innocency.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/30-19.htm">Exodus 30:19,20</a></b></br> For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: … </p><p class="hdg">so will</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/43-4.htm">Psalm 43:4</a></b></br> Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/malachi/2-11.htm">Malachi 2:11-13</a></b></br> Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/5-23.htm">Matthew 5:23,24</a></b></br> Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/nehemiah/10-34.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/psalms/26-2.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/psalms/17-9.htm">Compass</a> <a href="/psalms/22-12.htm">Encompass</a> <a href="/psalms/24-4.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/genesis/20-5.htm">Innocence</a> <a href="/genesis/20-5.htm">Innocency</a> <a href="/psalms/22-16.htm">Round</a> <a href="/psalms/25-11.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/job/14-19.htm">Wash</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/43-4.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/psalms/51-2.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/psalms/32-7.htm">Compass</a> <a href="/psalms/32-7.htm">Encompass</a> <a href="/psalms/26-10.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/psalms/73-13.htm">Innocence</a> <a href="/psalms/73-13.htm">Innocency</a> <a href="/psalms/27-6.htm">Round</a> <a href="/psalms/31-10.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/psalms/51-2.htm">Wash</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 26</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/26-1.htm">David resorts to God in confidence of his integrity</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/26.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/26.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>I wash my hands in innocence</b><br>This phrase reflects a ritual act symbolizing purity and a clear conscience. In ancient Israel, washing hands was a common practice for priests before performing sacred duties, as seen in <a href="/exodus/30-17.htm">Exodus 30:17-21</a>. It signifies a desire for moral and spiritual cleanliness. The act of washing hands in innocence also echoes the broader biblical theme of seeking righteousness and integrity, as seen in <a href="/psalms/24-3.htm">Psalm 24:3-4</a>, where clean hands and a pure heart are prerequisites for approaching God.<p><b>that I may go about Your altar, O LORD</b><br>The altar represents the place of sacrifice and worship, central to Israelite religious life. In the tabernacle and later the temple, the altar was where offerings were made to God, symbolizing atonement and communion with Him. The psalmist's desire to go about the altar indicates a longing for close fellowship with God and participation in worship. This reflects the broader biblical theme of drawing near to God with a sincere heart, as seen in <a href="/hebrews/10-22.htm">Hebrews 10:22</a>. The altar also foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is both the High Priest and the offering, as described in <a href="/hebrews/9-11.htm">Hebrews 9:11-14</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>- The author of the psalm, traditionally believed to be King David, who is expressing his desire for purity and righteousness before God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_altar.htm">The Altar</a></b><br>- Represents the place of worship and sacrifice in the temple, symbolizing God's presence and the need for purity to approach Him.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>- The covenant name of God, emphasizing His holiness and the relationship He has with His people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_purity_in_worship.htm">The Importance of Purity in Worship</a></b><br>Just as David sought to wash his hands in innocence, believers today are called to approach God with a heart free from sin and guilt.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_washing_hands.htm">Symbolism of Washing Hands</a></b><br>The act of washing hands symbolizes a deeper spiritual cleansing, reminding us of the need for repentance and forgiveness through Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/approaching_god's_presence.htm">Approaching God's Presence</a></b><br>The altar represents God's presence, and like David, we should desire to come before Him with integrity and sincerity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_a_life_of_integrity.htm">Living a Life of Integrity</a></b><br>David's commitment to innocence challenges us to live lives marked by honesty and moral uprightness in all our dealings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_sacrifice_and_worship.htm">The Role of Sacrifice and Worship</a></b><br>The altar is a place of sacrifice, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. Our worship should be centered on His redemptive work.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_26.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 26</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_emphasize_hand_washing_in_psalm_26_6.htm">(Psalm 26:6) If ritual hand washing cannot truly cleanse sin, why does the psalmist emphasize this outward act? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_worship_styles.htm">What are the different styles of worship?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_75_8_align_with_god's_love.htm">Psalm 75:8 depicts God forcing the wicked to drink a cup of wrath; how does this harmonize with notions of a loving and merciful God in the New Testament?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_christian_worship.htm">What defines Christian worship?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/26.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(</span>6<span class= "ital">)</span> <span class= "bld">I will wash.</span>--First a symbolical action (<a href="/deuteronomy/21-6.htm" title="And all the elders of that city, that are next to the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley:">Deuteronomy 21:6</a> <span class= "ital">seq.; </span><a href="/matthew/27-24.htm" title="When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see you to it.">Matthew 27:24</a>), then a figure of speech (<a href="/job/9-30.htm" title="If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;">Job 9:30</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/36-25.htm" title="Then will I sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.">Ezekiel 36:25</a>). The Levitical authorship or, at all events, the Levitical character of the psalm appears from comparison of this with <a href="/exodus/30-17.htm" title="And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,">Exodus 30:17</a> <span class= "ital">seq.</span><p><span class= "bld">So will I.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">that I may, </span>&c. There is no other reference in Jewish literature to the custom of pacing round the altar, but it was a very natural and obvious addition to a gorgeous ceremonial--like the processions in churches where a high ceremonial is adopted. It is, however, implied from the Talmud that it was part of the ceremonial of the Feast of Tabernacles for people to march round the altar with palms. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/26.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I will wash mine hands in innoceney; so will I compass thine altar, O Lord.</span> This seems to be the key-note of the psalm. If not a necessary, it is at any rate a probable, exegesis, that David composed this psalm on an occasion when he was about to offer a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God for some mercy recently vouchsafed him (ver. 7). Before offering, he feels the necessity of doing spiritually that which the priest' who officiated would have to do ceremonially (<a href="/exodus/30-17.htm">Exodus 30:17-21</a>) - to "wash his hands in innocency, and so to go to God's altar." His self-justification from ver. 1 to ver. 5 has had for its object to clear him from guilt. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/26-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">I wash</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶרְחַ֣ץ</span> <span class="translit">(’er·ḥaṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7364.htm">Strong's 7364: </a> </span><span class="str2">To wash, wash off or away, bathe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my hands</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּפָּ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(kap·pāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - fdc | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3709.htm">Strong's 3709: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in innocence</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנִקָּי֣וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(bə·niq·qā·yō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5356.htm">Strong's 5356: </a> </span><span class="str2">Clearness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that I may come near</span><br /><span class="heb">וַאֲסֹבְבָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(wa·’ă·sō·ḇə·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5437.htm">Strong's 5437: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn about, go around, surround</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Your altar,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִזְבַּחֲךָ֣</span> <span class="translit">(miz·ba·ḥă·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> </span><span class="str2">An altar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O LORD,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/26-6.htm">Psalm 26:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/26-6.htm">Psalm 26:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/26-6.htm">Psalm 26:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/26-6.htm">Psalm 26:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/26-6.htm">Psalm 26:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/26-6.htm">Psalm 26:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/26-6.htm">Psalm 26:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/26-6.htm">Psalm 26:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/26-6.htm">Psalm 26:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/26-6.htm">Psalm 26:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/26-6.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 26:6 I will wash my hands in innocence (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/26-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 26:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 26:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/26-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 26:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 26:7" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>