Psalms 26:9

9 Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with those who are bloodthirsty,

Psalms 26:9 in Other Translations

KJV
9 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
ESV
9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
NLT
9 Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners. Don’t condemn me along with murderers.
MSG
9 When it's time for spring cleaning, don't sweep me out with the quacks and crooks,
CSB
9 Do not destroy me along with sinners, or my life along with men of bloodshed

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 proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds.
8 LORD, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells.
9 Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with those who are bloodthirsty,
10 in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes.
11 I lead a blameless life; deliver me and be merciful to me.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Psalms 5:6; Psalms 28:3; Psalms 55:23; Psalms 139:19; Proverbs 29:10
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.