Psalm 26:6

Modern

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

Traditional

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

Literal

I wash my hands in innocence, and I go about Your altar, O YHWH,

Latin

Lavabo inter innocentes manus meas, et circumdabo altare tuum, Domine:

Hebrew

English

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

Ritual purity required the worshiper to wash their hands. This act symbolized separating from evil and evildoers (see Psalm 73:13).
The altar symbolizes God's presence (Psalm 43:4).

The psalmist demonstrates his loyalty to the Lord through pious rituals, praise, and acknowledgment of the Lord’s presence in the temple.

In this personal lament, the psalmist prays for redemption because of his innocence and the Lord's justice.

These psalms develop the importance of:

integrity (Psalms 25:4–7, 12–14, 21; 26:6, 11; 27:7–12),
God's care as a shepherd (Psalms 23:1; 28:9),
God's guidance (Psalms 23:2–3; 25:5; 27:11),
God's goodness (Psalms 23:6; 25:7–8; 27:13), and
living in his house (Psalms 23:6; 26:8; 27:4, 8).

Theme notes and profiles

Psalm 73:13
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.
Isaiah 1:16–18
Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil!
Titus 3:5
He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Exodus 30:19–20
…with which Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet.
1 Corinthians 11:28–29
Each one must examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
Psalm 43:4
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my greatest joy. I will praise You with the harp, O God, my God.
Psalm 24:4
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.
Hebrews 10:19–22
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
Matthew 5:23–24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
Malachi 2:11–13
Judah has broken faith; an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the LORD’s beloved sanctuary by marrying the daughter of a foreign god.
1 Timothy 2:8
Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or dissension.