A great theme throughout the psalms is the experience of coming before God. This Davidic psalm affirms the integrity of the worshiper before the Lord even while pleading for God’s mercy.

⁴ My life is not wasted among liars;
    my days are not spent among cheaters.
⁵ I despise every crowd intent on evil;
    I do not commune with the wicked.

⁶ I wash my hands in the fountain of innocence
    so that I might join the gathering that surrounds Your altar, O Eternal One.
⁷ From my soul, I will join the songs of thanksgiving;
    I will sing and proclaim Your wonder and mystery.

⁸ Your house, home to Your glory, O Eternal One, radiates its light.
    I am fixed on this place and long to be nowhere else.
⁹ When Your wrath pursues those who oppose You,
    those swift to sin and thirsty for blood,
    spare my soul and grant me life.
¹⁰ These men hold deceit in their left hands,
    and in their right hands, bribery and lies.

¹¹ But God, I have walked blamelessly down this path,
    and this is my plea for redemption.
    This is my cry for Your mercy.
¹² Here I stand secure and confident
    before all the people; I will praise the Eternal.