Psalms 26:2 — Word Study
WLCבְּחָנֵ֣נִי יְהוָ֣ה וְנַסֵּ֑נִי צָרְפָ֖ה כִלְיוֹתַ֣י וְלִבִּֽי׃
BSATest mebâchan [examine, prove] O LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] and try menâçâh [investigate, refine] examinetsâraph [purify, refine] my heartkilyâh [will, and intellect] and mindlêb [the heart; the feelings, the will]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| בְּחָנֵ֣נִי | test me | Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| יְהוָ֣ה | O Yahweh | Noun proper |
| וְנַסֵּ֑נִי | and put to [the] test me | Conjunction, verb piel imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| צָרְפָ֖ה | test ! | Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| כִלְיוֹתַ֣י | kidneys my | Noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| וְלִבִּֽי׃ | and heart my | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind. |
| KJV | Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. |
| ASV | Examine me, O Jehovah, and prove me; Try my heart and my mind. |
| YLT | Try me, O Jehovah, and prove me, Purified [are] my reins and my heart. |
| WEB | Examine me, Yahweh, and prove me. Try my heart and my mind. |
| BBE | Put me in the scales, O Lord, so that I may be tested; let the fire make clean my thoughts and my heart. |
The translations agree on the core meaning of the verse, emphasizing the psalmist's request for divine testing.
The verse consists of one main clause followed by two subordinate phrases that elaborate on the request for testing.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 26:2
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Plea for Vindicationgenerated
Psalm 26:2 expresses the psalmist's desire for God to test and examine him, highlighting a plea for integrity and righteousness. This verse is part of a larger context where the psalmist asserts his trust in the LORD and his commitment to walk in truth, contrasting himself with deceitful individuals, as seen in surrounding verses like Psalm 26:1 and Psalm 26:4.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 7:9 | Put an end to the evil of the wicked, but establish the righteous, O righteous God who searches hearts and minds. |
| 2 | 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. |
| 3 | Psalm 66:10 | For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us like silver. |
| 4 | Psalm 139:23–24 | Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. |
| 5 | Job 13:23 | How many are my iniquities and sins? Reveal to me my transgression and sin. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — בְּחָנֵ֣נִי, be.cha.Ne.nigenerated
The verb בָּחַן (bachan) means to test or examine, often in the context of proving worth or character. It encompasses actions such as scrutinizing or trying, particularly in relation to metals or a person's heart.
In this verse, the psalmist uses the imperative form, indicating a direct request to God for examination. This testing is not merely for judgment but for purification and refinement, as the psalmist seeks to align his inner self with God's expectations.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations generally agree on the meaning of the verse.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is בְּחָנֵ֣נִי, test me, which governs the entire request. It is followed by a series of phrases that elaborate on the nature of the testing: and try me, examine my heart and mind.
The structure emphasizes the psalmist's earnest plea for divine scrutiny, with each phrase building upon the request for a thorough examination.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates בְּחָנֵ֣נִי as με (me), indicating a direct appeal to God. This choice reflects the personal nature of the request, emphasizing the intimate relationship between the psalmist and the LORD.
The use of κύριε (Lord) in the LXX aligns with the covenantal name of God, highlighting the psalmist's recognition of God's authority in the testing process.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 26:2 shows the psalmist asking the LORD to test and examine him, seeking to ensure his heart and mind are pure. This request highlights a desire for integrity and alignment with God's will.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies a desire for self-examination and purification, seeking to align oneself with God's standards.
In biblical terms, the heart and mind represent the inner self, including emotions, will, and intellect, which are crucial for a righteous life.
The psalmist's plea for testing reflects a commitment to living with integrity and transparency before God.
It encourages believers to seek God's guidance and purification in their lives, acknowledging their need for divine help in maintaining righteousness.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to seek God's testing and examination?
- How can I ensure that my heart and mind align with God's will?
- What steps can I take to cultivate integrity in my daily life?
- How can I respond to God's testing in a way that leads to spiritual growth?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers reference this verse to discuss the nature of divine testing and the importance of self-examination in the life of a believer.
If need be, we will not only partake of the blessings of life but bear its appointed sorrows as a trial to our souls. For in this way is divine Scripture accustomed to speak of human afflictions, by which, as gold is tried in the fire,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 26 →
"Prove me, O Lord, and try me" [Psalms 26:2]. Lest, however, any of my secret sins should be hid from me, prove me, O Lord, and try me, making me known,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 26 →
“Prove and test” is not spoken presumptuously, but is made as a request for improvement. For when God examines and tests us, he makes us conscious of our sin and brings us to the fruition of repentance.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 26 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 26:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleExamine me, O Lord,.... His cause, his integrity, and trust in the Lord, as silver and gold are examined by the touchstone, the word of God, which is the standard of faith and practice; and prove me;
Read John Gill on Psalms 26 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryExamine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. Development (Psalms 26:2-8) of "I have walked in mine integrity," and "I have trusted in the Lord." Psalms 26:1.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 26 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleBecause it is possible that I may deceive myself, and be partial in my cause, or at least mine enemies will so judge of me, I appeal to thee, O thou Judge of hearts, and beg that thou wouldst search and try me by such ways and means as thou seest fit, and make me known to myself, and to the world, and convince mine enemies of mine integrity.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 26 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.Ver. 2. Examine me, O Lord, and prove me] It must needs be a good conscience that thus boldly offereth itself to God’ s trial; so Job 31:6. Try my reins and my heart] i.e. Mine affections and thoughts; for these are sibi mutuo causae. While I mused the fire kindled, Psalms 39:3. David was neither ambitious nor factious, as his adversaries represented him.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 26 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(2) Try.—Rather, purify, according to the right reading. LXX., try by fire.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 26 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 2. Examine me, O Lord] To thee I appeal; and feel no hesitation in wishing to have all the motives of my heart dissected and exposed to thy view, and to that of the world.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 26 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges2. God knows him already (Psalms 17:3); and fearlessly he offers himself for a fresh scrutiny. This prayer attests at once the clearness of his conscience, and his desire that if aught of evil remains, it may be purged away. Cp. Psalms 139:23-24. Three words are used to express the thoroughness of the scrutiny. Examine me, as the refiner assays his metal to test its fineness; prove me, by bringing me into circumstances in which the reality of my faith may be demonstrated; try me, as the refiner smelts gold to get rid of any remaining dross. So God ‘proved’ Abraham (Genesis 22:1); and Israel (Deuteronomy 8:2; Deuteronomy 8:16). The purpose of such heart-searching is ‘to give every man…
Read Cambridge on Psalms 26 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleExamine me, O Lord - The meaning of this verse is, that he asked of God a strict and rigid examination of his case.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 26 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.
Examine me, Yahweh, and prove me. Try my heart and my mind.
Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.
Examine me, O Lord, and test me! Evaluate my inner thoughts and motives!
Tyndale line
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
Examine me, O Jehovah, and prove me; Try my heart and my mind.
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
Proue me, O Lord, and trie mee: examine my reines, and mine heart.
Strictly literal
Prove me, Jehovah, and test me; try my reins and my heart:
Try me, O Jehovah, and prove me, Purified [are] my reins and my heart.
Try me, O YHWH, and prove me, || My reins and my heart [are] purified,
Try me, O Lord, and prove me; purify my reins and my heart.
Examine me, Yahweh, and test me; test the purity of my inner parts and my heart!
From the Latin
Whilst the wicked draw near against me, to eat my flesh. My enemies that trouble me, have themselves been weakened, and have fallen.
Simplified
Examine me, Lord, test me; investigate my thoughts and intentions.
Put me in the scales, O Lord, so that I may be tested; let the fire make clean my thoughts and my heart.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in this verse, with all six words matched in the Hebrew and Greek translations. This consistency suggests a shared understanding of the psalmist's plea for divine examination.
בְּחָנֵ֣נִי יְהוָ֣ה וְנַסֵּ֑נִי צָרְפָ֖ה כִלְיוֹתַ֣י וְלִבִּֽי׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 26:2
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
בָּחַן (bachan) is a Hebrew verb meaning to examine or test. It encompasses a range of actions, including scrutinizing, proving, and trying, particularly in relation to metals, individuals, or the heart. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal (to examine) and Niphal (to be tried).
[בָּחַן] vb. examine, try
Qal
examine, scrutinize, try
prove, test, try
Niph. to be tried, proved
Pu. the trial has been made
base
H974 [בָּחַן] examine, try
974 bachan baw-khan'
a primitive root; to test (especially metals); generally and
figuratively, to investigate:--examine, prove, tempt, try
(trial).
בָּחַן (ba.chan) — to test.
1) to examine, try, prove
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to examine, scrutinise
1a2) to test, prove, try (of gold, persons, the heart, man of God)
1b) (Niphal) to be tried, proved
1c) (Pual) to make a trial
V-Qal-Impv-2ms | Suff — Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVqv2ms/Sp1bs
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
נָסָה (nasah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to test or try. It encompasses actions like attempting, proving, and tempting, though not in a modern context. The word is built from a primitive root and is primarily used in the Piel form. All entries agree on its core meanings without significant disagreement.
[נָסָה] vb. Pi. test, try
test, try
attempt, assay, try to do a thing
test, try, prove, tempt [but not in the modern sense of the word]
base
H5254 נָסָה Pi. test, try . test, try
. attempt, assay, try to do a thing
. test, try, prove, tempt [but not in the modern sense of the word]
5254 nacah naw-saw'
a primitive root; to test; by implication, to
attempt:--adventure, assay, prove, tempt, try.
נָסָה (na.sah) — to test.
: test
1) to test, try, prove, tempt, assay, put to the proof or test
1a) (Piel)
1a1) to test, try
1a2) to attempt, assay, try
1a3) to test, try, prove, tempt
נָסָה (na.sah) — to test: try.
: try/attempt
1) to test, try, prove, tempt, assay, put to the proof or test
1a) (Piel)
1a1) to test, try
1a2) to attempt, assay, try
1a3) to test, try, prove, tempt
Conj | V-Piel-Impv-2ms | Suff — Conjunction · verb piel imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHC/Vpv2ms/Sp1bs
צָרַף (tsaraph) is a Hebrew verb meaning to smelt, refine, or test. It encompasses the processes of fusing metals and proving their purity, with forms indicating both the act of refining and the role of a refiner or goldsmith. The word appears in various contexts, including both literal and figurative uses of purification.
צָרַף vb. smelt, refine, test
Qal
smelt, refine
test
test (and prove true)
as n. smelter, refiner
Niph. many shall be refined
Pi. as n. a refiner
base
H6884 צָרַף smelt, refine, test
6884 tsaraph tsaw-raf'
a primitive root; to fuse (metal), i.e. refine (literally or
figuratively):--cast, (re-)fine(-er), founder, goldsmith,
melt, pure, purge away, try.
צָרַף (tsa.raph) — to refine.
1) to smelt, refine, test
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to smelt, refine
1a2) to test
1a3) to test (and prove true)
1a4) smelter, refiner, goldsmith (participle)
1b) (Niphal) to be refined
1c) (Piel) to be a refiner
1c1) refiner (participle)
V-Qal-Impv-2ms | Suff — Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVqv2ms/Sh
כִּלְיָה (kilyah) refers to kidneys in the plural form, primarily as a physical organ. It can also denote the seat of emotion and affection figuratively, and is used in the context of sacrificial animals. The term is derived from a related word for 'kidney' and is noted for its figurative use in describing the mind or interior self.
[כִּלְיָה] n.f. only pl. kidneys
base
H3629 [כִּלְיָה] only pl. kidneys
3629 kilyah kil-yaw'
feminine of 3627 (only in the plural); a kidney (as an
essential organ); figuratively, the mind (as the interior
self):--kidneys, reins.
see HEBREW for 03627
כִּלְיָה (kil.yah) — kidney.
1) kidneys
1a) of physical organ (lit.)
1b) of seat of emotion and affection (fig.)
1c) of sacrificial animals
2) (TWOT) reins
N-fp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHNcfpc/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word לֵב (lev) means 'heart' and encompasses the inner man, mind, will, and emotions. It refers to the center of feelings, intellect, and moral character, as well as the seat of appetites and courage. The entries suggest a broad range of meanings related to human experience and thought, with a specific mention of its use in Jeremiah 51:1.
לֵב 599 n.m. (f.) inner man, mind, will, heart
seldom of things in the midst of the sea
elsewhere of men
the inner man in contrast with the outer
the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
specific reference to mind
spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will
spec. ref. to conscience
[various]
for the man himself
as seat of appetites
as seat of emotions and passions
seat of courage
base
לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.
ref
H3820a לֵב inner man, mind, will, heart . seldom of things in the midst of the sea
. elsewhere of men . the inner man in contrast with the outer
. the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
. specific reference to mind
. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will
. spec. ref. to conscience
. [various]
. for the man himself
. as seat of appetites
. as seat of emotions and passions
. seat of courage
H3820b לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash
3820 leb labe
a form of 3824; the heart; also used (figuratively) very
widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect;
likewise for the centre of anything:--+ care for, comfortably,
consent, X considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-),
(hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart((-ed)), X
heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), X regard((-ed)), X
themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly,
wisdom.
see HEBREW for 03824
לֵב (lev) — heart.
1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding
1a) inner part, midst
1a1) midst (of things)
1a2) heart (of man)
1a3) soul, heart (of man)
1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory
1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will)
1a6) conscience
1a7) heart (of moral character)
1a8) as seat of appetites
1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
לֵב (lev) — Leb.
§ Leb- = "heart of"
(probably a cryptic name for Babylon by Atbash)
Conj | N-ms | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncmsc/Sp1bs