---

The Psalmist will go round and round the altar, looking at it, looking at the blood on its base, and the blood on each of the four horns, towards north, south, east, and west, and beholding the smoke of the fire, and thinking of the sacrificial victim that has died there, — all in the way of joyful thanks for salvation provided for men! It is a survey of redemption work taken by the Redeemer; such a survey as every member of His body often takes after having felt the power of free forgiveness, and while aiming at "innocency." For the "compassing" of the altar takes place after pardon; it is made in order to view it leisurely.

(Andrew Bonar.)

---

---

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

WEB: I will wash my hands in innocence, so I will go about your altar, Yahweh;