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Selected Verse: Psalms 26:6 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ps 26:6	Strong Concordance	I will wash [07364] mine hands [03709] in innocency [05356]: so will I compass [05437] thine altar [04196], O LORD [03068]:
	King James	I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
wash mine hands--expressive symbol of freedom from sinful acts (compare Mat 27:24).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

wash mine hands--expressive symbol of freedom from sinful acts (compare Mat 27:24).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
I will wash mine hands in innocency - The psalmist here refers, as another evidence of his piety, to the fact that it was a ruling purpose of his life to be pure, to worship and serve his Maker in purity. He had stated that he had no sympathy with the wicked, and that he did not make them his companions; he now states what his preferences were, and where his heart was to be found. He had loved, and he still loved the worship of God; he delighted in the pure service of the Most High. Washing the hands is an emblem of purity. So Pilate Mat 27:24 "took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person." Compare Deu 21:6-7. The word rendered "innocency" means properly "cleanness, purity;" and perhaps the allusion here is to water that is perfectly pure. The sense of the passage is, that he would endeavor to make himself pure, and would thus worship God. He would not come, practicing iniquity, or cherishing sin in his heart. He would banish all from his mind and heart and life that was wrong, and would come with true love to God, and with the spirit of a sincere worshipper. So will I compass thine altar, O Lord - In this manner, and with this spirit, I will worship thee. The word "compass" may either mean that he would "embrace" it by throwing his arms around it, or that he would "go round" it with others in a solemn procession in worship. The idea is, that he would come to the altar of God with his offering in sincerity and truth. It was to himself one evidence of sincere piety that he so purposed in his heart, or that he was conscious of a desire to worship God in purity and truth. This desire is always an indication of true piety.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
The poet supports his petition by declaring his motive to be his love for the sanctuary of God, from which he is now far removed, without any fault of his own. The coloured future ואסבבה, distinct from ואסבבה (vid., on Psa 3:6 and Psa 73:16), can only mean, in this passage, et ambiam, and not et ambibam as it does in a different connection (Isa 43:26, cf. Jdg 6:9); it is the emotional continuation (cf. Psa 27:6; Sol 7:12; Isa 1:24; Isa 5:19, and frequently) of the plain and uncoloured expression ארחץ. He wishes to wash his hands in innocence (בּ of the state that is meant to be attested by the action), and compass (Psa 59:7) the altar of Jahve. That which is elsewhere a symbolic act (Deu 21:6, cf. Mat 27:24), is in this instance only a rhetorical figure made use of to confess his consciousness of innocence; and it naturally assumes this form (cf. Psa 73:13) from the idea of the priest washing his hands preparatory to the service of the altar (Exo 32:20.) being associated with the idea of the altar. And, in general, the expression of Psa 26:6. takes a priestly form, without exceeding that which the ritual admits of, by virtue of the consciousness of being themselves priests which appertained even to the Israelitish laity (Exo 19:16). For סבב can be used even of half encompassing as it were like a semi-circle (Gen 2:11; Num 21:4), no matter whether it be in the immediate vicinity of, or at a prescribed distance from, the central point. לשׁמע is a syncopated and defectively written Hiph., for להשׁמיע, like לשׁמד, Isa 23:11. Instead of לשׁמע קול תּודה, "to cause the voice of thanksgiving to be heard," since השׁמיע is used absolutely (Ch1 15:19; Ch2 5:13) and the object is conceived of as the instrument of the act (Ges. 138, 1, rem. 3), it is "in order to strike in with the voice of thanksgiving." In the expression "all Thy wondrous works" is included the latest of these, to which the voice of thanksgiving especially refers, viz., the bringing of him home from the exile he had suffered from Absolom. Longing to be back again he longs most of all for the gorgeous services in the house of his God, which are performed around the altar of the outer court; for he loves the habitation of the house of God, the place, where His doxa, - revealed on earth, and in fact revealed in grace, - has taken up its abode. ma`own does not mean refuge, shelter (Hupfeld), - for although it may obtain this meaning from the context, it has nothing whatever to do with Arab. ‛ân, med. Waw, in the signification to help (whence ma‛ûn, ma‛ûne, ma‛âne, help, assistance, succour or support), - but place, dwelling, habitation, like the Arabic ma‛ân, which the Kamus explains by menzil, a place to settle down in, and explains etymologically by Arab. mḥll 'l-‛ı̂n, i.e., "a spot on which the eye rests as an object of sight;" for in the Arabic ma‛ân is traced back to Arab. ‛ân, med. Je, as is seen from the phrase hum minka bi-ma‛ânin, i.e., they are from thee on a point of sight (= on a spot where thou canst see them from the spot on which thou standest). The signification place, sojourn, abode (Targ. מדור) is undoubted; the primary meaning of the root is, however, questionable.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

The poet supports his petition by declaring his motive to be his love for the sanctuary of God, from which he is now far removed, without any fault of his own. The coloured future ואסבבה, distinct from ואסבבה (vid., on Psa 3:6 and Psa 73:16), can only mean, in this passage, et ambiam, and not et ambibam as it does in a different connection (Isa 43:26, cf. Jdg 6:9); it is the emotional continuation (cf. Psa 27:6; Sol 7:12; Isa 1:24; Isa 5:19, and frequently) of the plain and uncoloured expression ארחץ. He wishes to wash his hands in innocence (בּ of the state that is meant to be attested by the action), and compass (Psa 59:7) the altar of Jahve. That which is elsewhere a symbolic act (Deu 21:6, cf. Mat 27:24), is in this instance only a rhetorical figure made use of to confess his consciousness of innocence; and it naturally assumes this form (cf. Psa 73:13) from the idea of the priest washing his hands preparatory to the service of the altar (Exo 32:20.) being associated with the idea of the altar. And, in general, the expression of Psa 26:6. takes a priestly form, without exceeding that which the ritual admits of, by virtue of the consciousness of being themselves priests which appertained even to the Israelitish laity (Exo 19:16). For סבב can be used even of half encompassing as it were like a semi-circle (Gen 2:11; Num 21:4), no matter whether it be in the immediate vicinity of, or at a prescribed distance from, the central point. לשׁמע is a syncopated and defectively written Hiph., for להשׁמיע, like לשׁמד, Isa 23:11. Instead of לשׁמע קול תּודה, "to cause the voice of thanksgiving to be heard," since השׁמיע is used absolutely (Ch1 15:19; Ch2 5:13) and the object is conceived of as the instrument of the act (Ges. 138, 1, rem. 3), it is "in order to strike in with the voice of thanksgiving." In the expression "all Thy wondrous works" is included the latest of these, to which the voice of thanksgiving especially refers, viz., the bringing of him home from the exile he had suffered from Absolom. Longing to be back again he longs most of all for the gorgeous services in the house of his God, which are performed around the altar of the outer court; for he loves the habitation of the house of God, the place, where His doxa, - revealed on earth, and in fact revealed in grace, - has taken up its abode. ma`own does not mean refuge, shelter (Hupfeld), - for although it may obtain this meaning from the context, it has nothing whatever to do with Arab. ‛ân, med. Waw, in the signification to help (whence ma‛ûn, ma‛ûne, ma‛âne, help, assistance, succour or support), - but place, dwelling, habitation, like the Arabic ma‛ân, which the Kamus explains by menzil, a place to settle down in, and explains etymologically by Arab. mḥll 'l-‛ı̂n, i.e., "a spot on which the eye rests as an object of sight;" for in the Arabic ma‛ân is traced back to Arab. ‛ân, med. Je, as is seen from the phrase hum minka bi-ma‛ânin, i.e., they are from thee on a point of sight (= on a spot where thou canst see them from the spot on which thou standest). The signification place, sojourn, abode (Targ. מדור) is undoubted; the primary meaning of the root is, however, questionable.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Compass - Approach to thine altar with my sacrifices: which I could not do with any comfort, if I were conscious of those crimes, whereof mine enemies accuse me.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
I will wash mine hands in innocency - Washing the hands was frequent among the Jews, and was sometimes an action by which a man declared his innocence of any base or wicked transaction. This Pilate did, to protest his innocence of the mal-treatment and death of Christ. I will maintain that innocence of life in which I have hitherto walked; and take care that nothing shall be found in my heart or life that would prevent me from using the most holy ordinance, or worshipping thee in spirit and truth. So wilt I compass thine altar - It is a mark of respect among the Hindoos to walk several times round a superior, and round a temple.

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²⁴ When [1161] Pilate [4091] saw [1492] that [3754] he could prevail [5623] nothing [3762], but [235] that rather [3123] a tumult [2351] was made [1096], he took [2983] water [5204], and washed [633] his hands [5495] before [561] the multitude [3793], saying [3004], I am [1510] innocent [121] of [575] the blood [129] of this [5127] just person [1342]: see [3700] ye [5210] to it.

⁶ And all the elders [02205] of that city [05892], that are next [07138] unto the slain [02491] man, shall wash [07364] their hands [03027] over the heifer [05697] that is beheaded [06202] in the valley [05158]:
⁷ And they shall answer [06030] and say [0559], Our hands [03027] have not shed [08210] this blood [01818], neither have our eyes [05869] seen [07200] it.

¹³ It came even to pass, as the trumpeters [02690] [02690] and singers [07891] were as one [0259], to make one [0259] sound [06963] to be heard [08085] in praising [01984] and thanking [03034] the LORD [03068]; and when they lifted up [07311] their voice [06963] with the trumpets [02689] and cymbals [04700] and instruments [03627] of musick [07892], and praised [01984] the LORD [03068], saying, For he is good [02896]; for his mercy [02617] endureth for ever [05769]: that then the house [01004] was filled [04390] with a cloud [06051], even the house [01004] of the LORD [03068];

¹⁹ So the singers [07891], Heman [01968], Asaph [0623], and Ethan [0387], were appointed to sound [08085] with cymbals [04700] of brass [05178];

¹¹ He stretched out [05186] his hand [03027] over the sea [03220], he shook [07264] the kingdoms [04467]: the LORD [03068] hath given a commandment [06680] against the merchant [03667] city, to destroy [08045] the strong [04581] holds [04581] thereof.

⁴ And they journeyed [05265] from mount [02022] Hor [02023] by the way [01870] of the Red [05488] sea [03220], to compass [05437] the land [0776] of Edom [0123]: and the soul [05315] of the people [05971] was much discouraged [07114] because of the way [01870].

¹¹ The name [08034] of the first [0259] is Pison [06376]: that [01931] is it which compasseth [05437] the whole land [0776] of Havilah [02341], where [0834] there is gold [02091];

¹⁶ And it came to pass on the third [07992] day [03117] in the morning [01242], that there were thunders [06963] and lightnings [01300], and a thick [03515] cloud [06051] upon the mount [02022], and the voice [06963] of the trumpet [07782] exceeding [03966] loud [02389]; so that all the people [05971] that was in the camp [04264] trembled [02729].

⁶ I will wash [07364] mine hands [03709] in innocency [05356]: so will I compass [05437] thine altar [04196], O LORD [03068]:

²⁰ And he took [03947] the calf [05695] which they had made [06213], and burnt [08313] it in the fire [0784], and ground [02912] it to powder [01854], and strawed [02219] it upon [06440] the water [04325], and made the children [01121] of Israel [03478] drink [08248] of it.

¹³ Verily I have cleansed [02135] my heart [03824] in vain [07385], and washed [07364] my hands [03709] in innocency [05356].

⁷ Behold, they belch out [05042] with their mouth [06310]: swords [02719] are in their lips [08193]: for who, say they, doth hear [08085]?

¹⁹ That say [0559], Let him make speed [04116], and hasten [02363] his work [04639], that we may see [07200] it: and let the counsel [06098] of the Holy One [06918] of Israel [03478] draw nigh [07126] and come [0935], that we may know [03045] it!

²⁴ Therefore saith [05002] the Lord [0113], the LORD [03068] of hosts [06635], the mighty One [046] of Israel [03478], Ah [01945], I will ease [05162] me of mine adversaries [06862], and avenge [05358] me of mine enemies [0341]:

¹² Let us get up early [07925] to the vineyards [03754]; let us see [07200] if the vine [01612] flourish [06524], whether the tender grape [05563] appear [06605], and the pomegranates [07416] bud forth [05132]: there will I give [05414] thee my loves [01730].

⁶ And now shall mine head [07218] be lifted up [07311] above mine enemies [0341] round about [05439] me: therefore will I offer [02076] in his tabernacle [0168] sacrifices [02077] of joy [08643]; I will sing [07891], yea, I will sing praises [02167] unto the LORD [03068].

⁹ And I delivered [05337] you out of the hand [03027] of the Egyptians [04714], and out of the hand [03027] of all that oppressed [03905] you, and drave them out [01644] from before [06440] you, and gave [05414] you their land [0776];

²⁶ Put me in remembrance [02142]: let us plead [08199] together [03162]: declare [05608] thou, that thou mayest be justified [06663].

¹⁶ When I thought [02803] to know [03045] this, it was too painful [05999] for me [05869];

⁶ I will not be afraid [03372] of ten thousands [07233] of people [05971], that have set [07896] themselves against me round about [05439].