I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
Psalm 26 belongs with those psalms that speak chiefly to the sorrows and afflictions of the Hebrew captives, bringing encouragement and assurance of divine help and final deliverance from persecutors. It is David's claim to integrity in the context of warfare, in which he rejects the company and fellowship of evildoers and pleads not to be counted among sinners or bloody men. Sitting with the wicked is a picture of sharing their company, and the refusal to sit with them is one of the movements of daily life that symbolizes the spiritual walk. David joins that refusal to associate with the wicked to washing his hands in innocence and approaching God's altar.
Loyalty to God and faithful devotion includes hating and rejecting the congregation of evildoers and refusing to sit with, join, and fellowship with the wicked as part of a life separated from wickedness. Keeping company with people who hate God shows love for them and for the world, including through worldly social gatherings. The righteous are therefore to separate themselves from the ungodly rather than enter into close fellowship with them. Refusal of fellowship with evildoers is reason to avoid joining in practices regarded as worldly, including through such gatherings.
Sabbath-keepers in particular are warned against attending places of amusement and other gatherings of people who love pleasure more than God, refusing to join in their way of life. Close association with unbelievers is to be avoided, especially entering marriage with them, since the righteous refuse fellowship with evildoers and will not join themselves to the wicked.
Psalm 26 belongs with those psalms that speak chiefly to the sorrows and afflictions of the Hebrew captives, bringing encouragement and assurance of divine help and final deliverance from persecutors. It is David's claim to integrity in the context of warfare, in which he rejects the company and fellowship of evildoers and pleads not to be counted among sinners or bloody men. Sitting with the wicked is a picture of sharing their company, and the refusal to sit with them is one of the movements of daily life that symbolizes the spiritual walk. David joins that refusal to associate with the wicked to washing his hands in innocence and approaching God's altar.
Loyalty to God and faithful devotion includes hating and rejecting the congregation of evildoers and refusing to sit with, join, and fellowship with the wicked as part of a life separated from wickedness. Keeping company with people who hate God shows love for them and for the world, including through worldly social gatherings. The righteous are therefore to separate themselves from the ungodly rather than enter into close fellowship with them. Refusal of fellowship with evildoers is reason to avoid joining in practices regarded as worldly, including through such gatherings.
Sabbath-keepers in particular are warned against attending places of amusement and other gatherings of people who love pleasure more than God, refusing to join in their way of life. Close association with unbelievers is to be avoided, especially entering marriage with them, since the righteous refuse fellowship with evildoers and will not join themselves to the wicked.