Psalm 26:2
New International Version
Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;

New Living Translation
Put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.

English Standard Version
Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind.

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

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

New King James Version
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.

New American Standard Bible
Examine me, LORD, and put me to the test; Refine my mind and my heart.

NASB 1995
Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my mind and my heart.

NASB 1977
Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my mind and my heart.

Legacy Standard Bible
Test me, O Yahweh, and try me; Refine my mind and my heart.

Amplified Bible
Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my heart and my mind.

Christian Standard Bible
Test me, LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Test me, LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.

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

Contemporary English Version
Test my thoughts and find out what I am like.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Examine me, O LORD, and test me. Look closely into my heart and mind.

Good News Translation
Examine me and test me, LORD; judge my desires and thoughts.

International Standard Version
Examine me, LORD, and inspect me! Test my heart and mind.

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

NET Bible
Examine me, O LORD, and test me! Evaluate my inner thoughts and motives!

New Heart English Bible
Examine me, LORD, and prove me. Try my heart and my mind.

Webster's Bible Translation
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

World English Bible
Examine me, Yahweh, and prove me. Try my heart and my mind.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Try me, O YHWH, and prove me, "" My reins and my heart [are] purified,

Young's Literal Translation
Try me, O Jehovah, and prove me, Purified are my reins and my heart.

Smith's Literal Translation
Prove me, O Jehovah, and try me; refine my reins and my heart.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Prove me, O Lord, and try me; burn my reins and my heart.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Examine me, Lord, and test me: enkindle my temperament and my heart.

New American Bible
Examine me, Lord, and test me; search my heart and mind.

New Revised Standard Version
Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and mind.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Prove me, O LORD, and try me; examine my mind and my heart.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Prove me, LORD JEHOVAH, and test me, and examine my kidneys and my heart.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my reins and my heart.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Prove me, O Lord, and try me; purify as with fire my reins and my heart.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Vindicate Me, O LORD
1Of David. Vindicate me, O LORD! For I have walked with integrity; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. 2Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind. 3For Your loving devotion is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 17:10
I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.

Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. / See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.

1 Chronicles 29:17
I know, my God, that You test the heart and delight in uprightness. All these things I have given willingly and with an upright heart, and now I have seen Your people who are present here giving joyfully and willingly to You.

Proverbs 17:3
A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.

1 Corinthians 4:4-5
My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me. / Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

Hebrews 4:12-13
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. / Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Job 31:6
let God weigh me with honest scales, that He may know my integrity.

2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you fail the test?

Psalm 7:9
Put an end to the evil of the wicked, but establish the righteous, O righteous God who searches hearts and minds.

Revelation 2:23
Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

Psalm 17:3
You have tried my heart; You have visited me in the night. You have tested me and found no evil; I have resolved not to sin with my mouth.

1 Peter 1:7
so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Malachi 3:2-3
But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap. / And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness.

James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

Romans 8:27
And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Psalm 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.

Psalm 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.

Psalm 66:10
For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

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Psalm 26
1. David resorts to God in confidence of his integrity














Test me, O LORD
The phrase begins with a direct appeal to God, highlighting the psalmist's desire for divine scrutiny. The Hebrew word for "test" is "bachan," which implies a process of examination or proving, often used in the context of refining metals. This suggests a deep, introspective request for God to examine the psalmist's heart and motives. In a historical context, this reflects the ancient Israelite understanding of God as a righteous judge who discerns the innermost thoughts and intentions of individuals. The use of "O LORD" (Yahweh) emphasizes a personal relationship with God, invoking His covenant name and underscoring the psalmist's trust in God's just and merciful nature.

and try me
The word "try" in Hebrew is "nasah," which can mean to test or prove, often through challenges or trials. This indicates the psalmist's willingness to undergo difficulties to demonstrate faithfulness and integrity. In the scriptural context, this echoes the trials faced by figures like Abraham, whose faith was tested by God. The psalmist's request for testing is not out of arrogance but a sincere desire to be found faithful and true in God's sight. It reflects a mature faith that seeks purification and growth through divine examination.

examine my heart
The term "examine" comes from the Hebrew "tsaraph," which is often used in the context of refining metals, suggesting a thorough and purifying scrutiny. The "heart" in Hebrew thought (lev) is the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. By asking God to examine his heart, the psalmist is inviting God to look into his deepest thoughts and desires. This reflects a commitment to authenticity and transparency before God, acknowledging that true righteousness begins internally. Historically, this aligns with the wisdom literature's emphasis on the heart as the source of moral and spiritual life.

and mind
The word "mind" here is translated from the Hebrew "kilyah," which literally means "kidneys" but is often used metaphorically to refer to the innermost parts of a person, including emotions and conscience. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the kidneys were considered the seat of emotion and moral decision-making. By asking God to examine both heart and mind, the psalmist is seeking a comprehensive evaluation of his entire being. This dual examination underscores the holistic nature of biblical integrity, where both thoughts and feelings are aligned with God's will. It is a call for inner purity and alignment with divine truth, reflecting a deep commitment to living a life pleasing to God.

(2) Try.--Rather, purify, according to the right reading. LXX., try by fire.

Verse 2. - Examine me, O Lord, and prove me. He desires to be examined and proved - tested, as a metal is tested (comp. Psalm 17:3) - that his sincerity may fully appear. Try my reins and my heart; i.e. my emotional and my intellectual natures.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Test me,
בְּחָנֵ֣נִי (bə·ḥā·nê·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 974: To test, to investigate

O LORD,
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and try me;
וְנַסֵּ֑נִי (wə·nas·sê·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 5254: To test, to attempt

examine
צָרְפָ֖ה (ṣā·rə·p̄āh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6884: To smelt, refine, test

my heart
כִלְיוֹתַ֣י (ḵil·yō·w·ṯay)
Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3629: A kidney, the mind

and mind.
וְלִבִּֽי׃ (wə·lib·bî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre


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OT Poetry: Psalm 26:2 Examine me Yahweh and prove me (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 26:1
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