Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure, and washed my hands in innocence.
I will wash my hands in innocence, so I can walk around Your altar, Adonai,
For he says, ‘It does not profit a man when he makes his delight with God.’
Who is Shaddai that we should serve Him? What would we gain if we pray to Him?’
For you ask, ‘What will it profit you?’ and ‘What do I gain by not sinning?’
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded!
You say: “Serving God is worthless.” Also: “What good is it that we kept His service or that we walked as mourners before Adonai-Tzva’ot?
Let me hear joy and gladness, so the bones You crushed may rejoice.
One with clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully.
then You would plunge me into a pit and my own clothes would detest me.
If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad face and be cheerful,’
If I am condemned— why should I struggle in vain?