Psalms 26:6

¶ I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:

I will wash {H7364} mine hands {H3709} in innocency {H5356}: so will I compass {H5437} thine altar {H4196}, O LORD {H3068}:

I will wash my hands in innocence and walk around your altar, ADONAI,

I wash my hands in innocence that I may go about Your altar, O LORD,

I will wash my hands in innocency: So will I compass thine altar, O Jehovah;

Psalms 26:6 offers a profound declaration from David, expressing his commitment to purity and integrity before engaging in worship. This verse is part of a larger psalm where David appeals to God for vindication, asserting his blameless conduct and faithfulness in contrast to the wicked.

Context

In Psalm 26, David is making a fervent plea to God to judge him according to his righteousness, distinguishing himself from those who engage in deceit and wickedness. He emphasizes his consistent walk with God, his love for God's dwelling place, and his desire to participate in communal worship with a clean conscience. This specific verse highlights his preparation for approaching God's holy presence, symbolizing a ritual and spiritual readiness.

Key Themes

  • Purity in Worship: The central theme is the necessity of a clean heart and righteous life before approaching God's altar. David understands that outward acts of worship are meaningful only when accompanied by inner purity.
  • Integrity and Blamelessness: David's declaration of "innocency" underscores his desire to live a life free from willful sin and hypocrisy. While no human is perfectly sinless, this refers to a sincere commitment to walk uprightly before God.
  • Desire for Communion: The act of "compassing thine altar" signifies a deep yearning to draw near to God, to participate fully in His worship, and to experience His presence. It reflects a heart devoted to fellowship with the Divine.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "I will wash mine hands in innocency" carries significant symbolic weight. The Hebrew word for "wash" (רָחַץ, rachats) implies a thorough cleansing. "In innocency" (בְּנִקָּיוֹן, b'nikkayon) emphasizes moral and spiritual purity, not merely ceremonial cleanliness. It suggests a blamelessness of conduct and conscience. The act of "compassing thine altar" (אֲסֹבְבָה אֶת מִזְבַּחֲךָ, asovevah et mizbakhakha) can refer to a liturgical procession around the altar or simply the act of drawing near and fully engaging in the sacred space where sacrifices were offered and prayers ascended to the Lord.

Related Scriptures

This verse beautifully echoes the sentiment found in Psalm 24:4, which asks, "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart." It emphasizes that true access to God comes not through outward ritual alone, but through an inner state of righteousness. For the Christian, this principle is fulfilled in Christ. We are cleansed not by our own washing, but by the blood of Jesus, which purifies us from all sin (see 1 John 1:7). Our ability to draw near to God with a true heart is based on His sacrifice, yet the call to live a life of integrity and purity, reflecting His holiness, remains paramount.

Reflection and Application

Psalms 26:6 serves as a powerful reminder that our approach to God, whether in personal prayer, communal worship, or daily living, should be marked by a sincere desire for purity. It challenges believers to examine their hearts and lives, confessing sin and seeking God's cleansing. While we no longer offer animal sacrifices at a physical altar, the spiritual "altar" of worship requires a consecrated life. This verse encourages us to pursue holiness, knowing that a pure heart is essential for genuine communion with the Lord and for our worship to be acceptable in His sight.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 73:13

    Verily I have cleansed my heart [in] vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

  • Exodus 30:19

    For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat:

  • Exodus 30:20

    When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:

  • Isaiah 1:16

    ¶ Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

  • Isaiah 1:18

    Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

  • Matthew 5:23

    Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

  • Matthew 5:24

    Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

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