Psalms 26:6

“I will wash my hands in innocency, etc.] The Vulgate Latin version renders it, “among innocent persons”; men of a holy harmless life and conversation; with these he determined to converse in common, and not with such as before described; or the sense is, that he would wash his hands, in token of his innocence, integrity, and uprightness, he had before spoke of, and of his having nothing to do with such evil men as now mentioned; (see <052106>Deuteronomy 21:6,7 <402724>Matthew 27:24); “hands” are the instrument of action, and to “wash” them may design the performance of good works, (<180930>Job 9:30); and to do this “in innocency”, or “purity”, may signify the performance of them from a pure…”

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

“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 Matthew 27:24 “took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person.” Compare Deuteronomy 21:6-7. The…”

“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. Psalms 26:8”

“26:6-8 The psalmist demonstrates his loyalty to the Lord through pious rituals, praise, and acknowledgment of the Lord’s presence in the Temple. 26:6 Ritual purity required the worshiper to wash their hands, symbolic of separation from evil and evildoers (see 73:13). • The altar symbolizes God’s presence (43:4).”

“wash: Psa 24:4, Psa 73:13; Exo 30:19, Exo 30:20; Isa 1:16-18; Tit 3:5; Heb 10:19-22 so will: Psa 43:4; Mal 2:11-13; Mat 5:23, Mat 5:24; Co1 11:28, Co1 11:29; Ti1 2:8 Psalms 26:7”

“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…”