Bible Strands
Psalms 26:2
Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David addresses the LORD, requesting divine examination immediately after affirming his past integrity and unwavering trust (Psalms 26:1). He frames this plea within a broader posture of walking in truth and keeping God's steadfast love before his eyes (Psalms 26:3).
The words — The Hebrew verb בְּחָנֵ֣נִי (be.cha.neni) means "test me," paired with וְנַסֵּ֑נִי (ve.na.se.ni), literally "and put me to the test." These verbs are followed by כִלְיוֹתַי (khil.yo.tai, "my kidneys") and לִבִּי (li.bi, "my heart"), denoting the inner faculties of thought and emotion.
The thread — This examination motif recurs in Psalms 139:23, where the psalmist requests God to search and test his heart, and in Psalms 7:9, which describes God as the righteous judge who searches hearts and minds. The same theme of divine testing appears in Psalms 17:3.
Why it lands — It asks the reader to invite direct, unflinching divine scrutiny rather than avoid it. The text demands honest self-examination grounded in God's truth, not self-justification.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
Cross-references
- Psalms 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns.
- Psalms 7:9 Put an end to the evil of the wicked, but establish the righteous, O righteous God who searches hearts and minds.
- Psalms 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.
- Zechariah 13:9 This third I will bring through the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”
- Job 13:23 How many are my iniquities and sins? Reveal to me my transgression and sin.
- Job 31:4 Does He not see my ways and count my every step?
- Psalms 66:10 For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us like silver.
- Jeremiah 20:12 O LORD of Hosts, who examines the righteous, who sees the heart and mind, let me see Your vengeance upon them, for to You I have committed my cause.