Psalms 26:9

9 When it's time for spring cleaning, don't sweep me out with the quacks and crooks,

Psalms 26:9 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 26:9

Gather not my soul with sinners
Profligate and abandoned ones, such as are notoriously profane, and who live and die impenitent ones; otherwise all men are sinners: the sense is, either that he desires that he might not, by any means, be brought into the company of such persons, be joined unto them, and have a conversation with them, which would be uncomfortable, dishonourable, and dangerous; or that God would not destroy him with them; and that he might not die the death of the wicked, nor be gathered with them at death: death is often expressed by a man's being gathered to his people, and to his fathers; see ( 2 Kings 22:20 ) ; the body is gathered to the grave, the soul returns to God that gave it, and has its place assigned by him; the souls of the righteous are gathered into heaven, Christ's garner; the souls of the wicked into hell; the psalmist deprecates being gathered with them;

nor my life with bloody men;
that thirst after blood, lie in wait for it, shed it, and are drunk with it, as the antichristian party; these God abhors and detests; nor shall they live out half their days, and their end is miserable.

Psalms 26:9 In-Context

7 Singing God-songs at the top of my lungs, telling God-stories.
8 God, I love living with you; your house glows with your glory.
9 When it's time for spring cleaning, don't sweep me out with the quacks and crooks,
10 Men with bags of dirty tricks, women with purses stuffed with bribe-money.
11 You know I've been aboveboard with you; now be aboveboard with me.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.