It seems remarkable, if not strange, that one should invite God to judge and examine him (vv. 1–2). The reason given with this invitation, “for I have led a blameless life,” hardly encourages us to identify with the speaker or even endorse such claims to righteousness. But we must allow him more than one verse to explain himself. We must first note that at some points the NIV translation is misleading. “Blameless life” (v. 1) is a questionable translation for the Hebrew term tummî in verses 1 and 11, for it connotes absolute moral purity. A more literal rendering in each verse is “I in my integrity (have) walk(ed).” The Hebrew term denotes integrated wholeness. This assertion is not intended as grounds for boasting because it is followed immediately with “redeem me and be merciful to me” (…