Psalm | Psalm 26 (with Nick Locke)

About this Episode

Opening Song: 

Psalm 26 by Ben and Noelle Kilgore 

Lyrics:

I have trusted in You, O Lord. 

Therefore I shall not slide

Search my heart and affections, Lord. 

Your lovingkindness before my eyes. 

 

You washed Your hands with my innocence 

I fall at Your altar

And I’ll sing with thanksgiving 

And tell of Your wondrous good 

 

Alleluia, alleluia! 

Alleluia, alleluia to the Lord most high

 

I love to be in Your house, O Lord

Where Your glory and honor dwell

Gather not my soul with darkness, God

Of Your redemption I live to tell

 

Alleluia, alleluia! 

Alleluia, alleluia to the Lord most high

 

You are merciful, O Lord

From the top of my lungs I sing

You place my feet on an even place

To You, my rescuing King

 

Alleluia, alleluia! 

Alleluia, alleluia to the Lord most high

Passage:

1 Vindicate me, O LORD,

for I have walked in my integrity,

and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.

2 Prove me, O LORD, and try me;

test my heart and my mind.

3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes,

and I walk in your faithfulness.

 

4 I do not sit with men of falsehood,

nor do I consort with hypocrites.

5 I hate the assembly of evildoers,

and I will not sit with the wicked.

 

6 I wash my hands in innocence

and go around your altar, O LORD,

7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,

and telling all your wondrous deeds.

 

8 O LORD, I love the habitation of your house

and the place where your glory dwells.

9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,

nor my life with bloodthirsty men,

10 in whose hands are evil devices,

and whose right hands are full of bribes.

 

11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;

redeem me, and be gracious to me.

12 My foot stands on level ground;

in the great assembly I will bless the LORD. 

(Psalm 26:1–12)

Musical Reflection: 

O Lord, Hear My Prayer by Jacques Berthier

Reflection Notes: 

This song from the Taizé community contains a series of pleas: “O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer; when I call, answer me.” The repeated notes emphasize the insistence of the sung prayer, while the descending lines indicate a deep, almost despairing desire to connect. 

Prayer: 

Look mercifully, O Lord, we beseech you, on the affliction of your people; and let not our sins prevail to destroy us, but rather your abundant mercy to save us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Leonine Sacramentary