Psalms 26:2

Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

Examine {H974} me, O LORD {H3068}, and prove {H5254} me; try {H6884} my reins {H3629} and my heart {H3820}.

Examine me, ADONAI, test me, search my mind and heart.

Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.

Examine me, O Jehovah, and prove me; Try my heart and my mind.

Commentary

Psalm 26:2 is a profound and intensely personal plea from King David, expressing his desire for divine scrutiny and validation. It's a bold invitation for God to look beyond outward appearances and deeply into the very core of his being.

Context

This verse is part of a psalm where David asserts his blamelessness and integrity, particularly in contrast to the wicked. He seeks vindication from God, not from human judgment. The psalm likely reflects a period when David's character or actions were being questioned, and he appeals to the ultimate Judge. It's a prayer of confidence rooted in a life dedicated to God's ways, yet accompanied by a humble submission to God's perfect knowledge.

Key Themes

  • Divine Scrutiny and Purity: David welcomes God's thorough examination, demonstrating a desire for genuine purity and integrity. He wants his inner motives to align with his outward actions.
  • Trust in God's Judgment: Rather than relying on human opinion or self-justification, David places his trust entirely in God's perfect and righteous judgment. This echoes the sentiment found in Psalm 7:9, where God is described as the one who "trieth the hearts and reins."
  • Authenticity and Transparency: The prayer reveals a deep longing to be truly known by God, warts and all, and to be found righteous from the inside out.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart" is rich with meaning from the original Hebrew:

  • "Examine" (Hebrew: bachan) implies a thorough test, like refining metals to check their purity. It's a deep, investigative look.
  • "Prove" (Hebrew: nasah) means to test or try, often implying a challenge or demonstration of truth.
  • "Reins" (Hebrew: kilyah) refers to the kidneys, which in ancient Hebrew thought were considered the seat of one's deepest emotions, conscience, and innermost thoughts. It signifies the hidden, most private parts of one's being.
  • "Heart" (Hebrew: lev or lebab) encompasses the entire inner person—intellect, will, emotions, and moral character. Together, "reins and heart" signify the totality of one's inner life and motivations. This concept is also powerfully expressed in Jeremiah 17:10, "I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins."

Practical Application

This verse challenges believers to cultivate a similar openness and willingness to be examined by God. It encourages:

  • Regular Self-Examination: Not in a morbid, self-condemning way, but with a humble desire for God to reveal any areas needing correction or purification.
  • Trust in God's Perfect Knowledge: Understanding that God knows our true motives and character far better than we do, or anyone else can. This can bring comfort and conviction.
  • Pursuit of Inner Purity: Recognizing that true righteousness extends beyond outward actions to the very core of our being, as highlighted in the Beatitudes' blessing for the pure in heart.
  • Confidence in God's Vindication: When facing false accusations or misunderstanding, we can confidently appeal to God, who knows the truth of our "reins and heart," echoing David's prayer in Psalm 139:23-24.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 139:23

    Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

  • Psalms 139:24

    And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

  • Psalms 7:9

    Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

  • Psalms 17:3

    Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited [me] in the night; thou hast tried me, [and] shalt find nothing; I am purposed [that] my mouth shall not transgress.

  • Job 13:23

    ¶ How many [are] mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.

  • Psalms 66:10

    For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

  • Zechariah 13:9

    And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It [is] my people: and they shall say, The LORD [is] my God.