I'm an old testament guy but this is one of my favorite translations. mega-woke boomer presbyterian vibes which if you open your heart is actually a kind of dope thing to be. great almost Twain'y American'y pop-song sentences. Here's Psalm 26 in The Message and the KJV for comparison:
The Message
Clear my name,Ā God;
Ā Ā Ā Ā Iāve kept an honest shop.
Iāve thrown in my lot with you,Ā God, and
Ā Ā Ā Ā Iām not budging.
2Ā Examine me,Ā God, from head to foot,
Ā Ā Ā Ā order your battery of tests.
Make sure Iām fit
Ā Ā Ā Ā inside and out
3Ā So I never lose
Ā Ā Ā Ā sight of your love,
But keep in step with you,
Ā Ā Ā Ā never missing a beat.
4-5Ā I donāt hang out with tricksters,
Ā Ā Ā Ā I donāt pal around with thugs;
I hate that pack of gangsters,
Ā Ā Ā Ā I donāt deal with double-dealers.
6-7Ā I scrub my hands with purest soap,
Ā Ā Ā Ā then join hands with the others in the great circle,
Ā Ā Ā Ā dancing around your altar,Ā God,
Singing God-songs at the top of my lungs,
Ā Ā Ā Ā telling God-stories.
8-10Ā God, I love living with you;
Ā Ā Ā Ā your house glows with your glory.
When itās time for spring cleaning,
Ā Ā Ā Ā donāt sweep me out with the quacks and crooks,
Men with bags of dirty tricks,
Ā Ā Ā Ā women with purses stuffed with bribe-money.
11-12Ā You know Iāve been aboveboard with you;
Ā Ā Ā Ā now be aboveboard with me.
Iām on the level with you,Ā God;
Ā Ā Ā Ā I bless you every chance I get.
KJV
Judge me, OĀ Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in theĀ Lord; therefore I shall not slide.
2Ā Examine me, OĀ Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
3Ā For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
4Ā I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
5Ā I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
6Ā I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, OĀ Lord:
7Ā That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
8Ā Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
9Ā Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
10Ā In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
11Ā But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
12Ā My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless theĀ Lord.