Psalms 26:5

5 I hate the company of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked.

Psalms 26:5 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 26:5

I have hated the congregation of evildoers
That do harm to the persons, characters, or properties of men; and who meet together in bodies, to consult and form schemes to do mischief, and have their assemblies to encourage each other in it; these, their works and actions, the psalmist hated, though not their persons; and showed his displicency at them, and dislike and disapprobation of them, by absenting from them; see ( Jeremiah 15:17 ) ;

and will not sit with the wicked;
ungodly and unrighteous men, sons of Belial; for with such what fellowship and concord can there be? ( 2 Corinthians 6:14 2 Corinthians 6:15 ) ; the word F24 signifies restless and uneasy persons, who cannot rest unless they do mischief; are like the troubled sea, continually casting up mire and dirt, ( Isaiah 57:20 Isaiah 57:21 ) ; now, by all this the psalmist means not that good men should have no manner of conversation with the men of the world: for then, as the apostle says, we must needs go out of the world, ( 1 Corinthians 5:9 1 Corinthians 5:10 ) . Conversation in civil things, in matters of trade and business, is lawful; though all unnecessary conversation in things of civil life is to be shunned; no more should be had than what natural relation and the business of life require; but all conversation in things criminal is to be avoided; company is not to be kept with them, so as to join them in anything sinful; this is to harden them in their evil ways, and it brings into danger and into disgrace: a man is known and is judged of by the company that he keeps; and evil communications corrupt good manners.


FOOTNOTES:

F24 (evr) "significat inquietum esse, ceu patet ex", Isa. xlviii. 22. Gejerus

Psalms 26:5 In-Context

3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you.
4 I do not sit with the worthless, nor do I consort with hypocrites;
5 I hate the company of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked.
6 I wash my hands in innocence, and go around your altar, O Lord,
7 singing aloud a song of thanksgiving, and telling all your wondrous deeds.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.