Faith Daily Lectio Thursday, November 5, 2026 Evening Psalm
Thursday, November 5, 2026 · Thursday in the week of the Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 26)
Evening Psalm
Oratio (prayer)
O LORD, I have loved the habitation of Your house. Send Your Holy Spirit as I pray Psalm 26 this evening, that I may walk in integrity and rest in Your mercy through Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Meditatio (meditation)
Psalm 26
A Psalm of David.
1Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
2Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
3For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
4I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
5I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
6I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:
7That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
8LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
9Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
10In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
11But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
12My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.
Consider even rereading in another translation.
You could also consider listening to this chapter, narrated:
KJV (Max McLean) · ESV (Max McLean) · NIV (dramatized)
You might read the whole reading slowly, aloud, more than once.
Consider this verse, for example:
“LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.” (Psalm 26:8)
What other lines speak to you?
The Law David asks to be examined: "Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart" (v. 2). Measured that way, our integrity fails. We have sat with what is vain, and we have not loved His house as we ought.
The Gospel Yet the Psalm's hope is mercy: "redeem me, and be merciful unto me" (v. 11). And its joy is God's dwelling: "LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth" (v. 8). In Jesus, God has made His dwelling with us. He is our integrity, and in His house you are welcome tonight.
Prayer O LORD, I confess that my integrity has failed. Forgive me for Jesus' sake. Redeem me, be merciful to me, and let me love Your house. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Tentatio (trial)
At day's end we may fear being gathered with the wicked. Under trial it may help to pray David's request: "redeem me, and be merciful unto me" (v. 11). God's honor now dwells in Christ for you. You might end the day trusting that mercy.
Evening prayer Lord, as night comes, keep my foot in an even place. Redeem me, and let me bless You in the congregation. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version.
My church home: Peace Lutheran Church, McMurray, PA. Looking for a church? See About Daily Lectio.
