Psalm 26 9

Psalm 26:9 kjv

Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:

Psalm 26:9 nkjv

Do not gather my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloodthirsty men,

Psalm 26:9 niv

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

Psalm 26:9 esv

Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men,

Psalm 26:9 nlt

Don't let me suffer the fate of sinners.
Don't condemn me along with murderers.

Psalm 26 verses

Psalm 26 9 Meaning

Psalm 26:9 is a fervent prayer by David, seeking God's divine discrimination. He pleads with God not to lump him in with the wicked, specifically "sinners" and "men of blood," in their ultimate fate or destruction. It is a petition for personal integrity and for God to differentiate between David's life of devoted obedience and the actions and eventual judgment reserved for those who persistently walk in unrighteousness and violence. This plea encompasses both a desire for separation in the present life from their wicked paths and an appeal for distinction in eternal destiny and divine judgment.

Psalm 26 9 Context

Psalm 26 is a passionate plea by David, asserting his blamelessness before God and seeking divine vindication. He opens by inviting God to examine him, stating he has walked in integrity and trusted in the Lord without wavering. The verses leading up to verse 9 reveal David's conscious separation from the wicked: "I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, nor will I go in with hypocrites. I have hated the assembly of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked" (Ps 26:4-5). This sets the stage for his appeal in verse 9, where he asks God not to align his destiny, especially in judgment, with those he has actively sought to distance himself from. Historically and culturally, association determined one's social and often legal standing; sharing a common fate, particularly judgment or punishment, was a profound concern. David’s plea resonates with the covenant understanding that God’s justice would ultimately distinguish between the righteous and the unrighteous, a powerful polemic against any belief system where divine favor was indiscriminately given or fate was predetermined regardless of moral conduct.

Psalm 26 9 Word analysis

• Gather not: The Hebrew phrase is אַל־תֶּאֱסֹף (al-te'ĕsōf).
  • אַל־ (al-) is a particle used for negative prohibition, similar to "do not." It conveys a strong and direct plea.
  • תֶּאֱסֹף (te'ĕsōf) comes from the root אָסַף (`asaph), meaning "to gather," "to collect," "to bring in," or "to remove." In this context, it carries the significant connotation of being swept away or brought together with someone for judgment or destruction. It's a prayer not to be associated with or share the same fate, especially at death or in ultimate judgment.
• my soul: נַפְשִׁי (nafshi). From the Hebrew word נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh). This refers to the whole person, the very essence of one's being, life, and self. It's not just a part, but the animating life force, encompassing consciousness, emotions, and the individual's existence.
• with sinners: עִם־חַטָּאִים (`im chaṭṭa'im).
  • עִם־ (`im-) means "with," indicating association or company.
  • חַטָּאִים (chaṭṭa'im) is the plural of חַטָּא (chatta'), derived from חָטָא (ḥaṭa'), meaning "to miss the mark," "to go astray," "to err," or "to sin." "Sinners" refers to those who habitually and consciously violate God's law and standard of righteousness.
• nor my life: וְאֶת־חַיָּי (wə'eṯ ḥayyai). This is an emphatic parallelism.
  • וְאֶת־ (wə'eṯ-) is "and" or "nor" followed by the direct object marker, indicating another plea alongside "my soul."
  • חַיָּי (ḥayyai) is "my life." The parallelism between "soul" (nephesh) and "life" (chayyim) emphasizes the totality of his being – his existence, his very breath, and his future destiny. It underscores the profound personal nature of the prayer.
• with men of blood: עִם־אַנְשֵׁי דָמִים (`im 'anšê dāmiym).
  • עִם־ (`im-) again signifies "with," stressing the association David seeks to avoid.
  • אַנְשֵׁי ('anšê) is the construct plural of אִישׁ ('ish), meaning "men" or "people of."
  • דָמִים (dāmiym) is the plural of דָם (dam), meaning "blood." "Men of bloods" (plural is emphatic) refers to those who are guilty of shedding innocent blood, or are characterized by violence, treachery, cruelty, and injustice. They are often associated with corruption, deceit, and wickedness in other biblical texts (e.g., Ps 5:6; 55:23). They represent the most egregious form of moral perversity in contrast to general "sinners."
• Words-Group Analysis:
  • Gather not my soul...nor my life: This dual phrasing ("soul" and "life") powerfully conveys David's petition concerning his entire existence. It’s a prayer for separation from their judgment, destruction, or common ultimate doom, not merely avoidance in daily interaction. It suggests a desire to be excluded from their condemnation.
  • with sinners...with men of blood: These two categories describe the wicked. "Sinners" are those who generally transgress, while "men of blood" signify the most depraved and violent, perhaps hinting at specific adversaries David faced, such as those plotting his death or executing injustice. David highlights his ethical distance from both common wickedness and extreme malevolence. This juxtaposition reinforces the purity of life David strives for and his utter rejection of evil.

Psalm 26 9 Bonus section

The "gathering" mentioned in Psalm 26:9 is often understood in a forensic sense, referring to being included in a verdict or being rounded up for a shared punishment or destiny. David's prayer is essentially a plea for divine vindication—a legal declaration from God that he is not complicit with the wicked and therefore should not share their condemnation. This concept highlights God's attribute as a discerning Judge who sees the heart and makes ultimate distinctions, reinforcing His moral governance over the universe. This judicial perspective is prevalent throughout the Psalms, where the psalmist often brings his case before the divine courtroom.

Psalm 26 9 Commentary

Psalm 26:9 encapsulates David's profound longing for a righteous separation from the wicked, both in his temporal journey and his eternal destination. This prayer flows from the preceding verses where David boldly declares his integrity and unwavering commitment to the Lord. It is not a claim of sinlessness, but a deep assertion of his deliberate choice to align his life with God’s precepts, shunning the counsel and company of evildoers. He understands that God's justice meticulously distinguishes between those who walk in His ways and those who walk in darkness. Therefore, he petitions God, as the supreme Judge, to act upon this distinction, ensuring his lot is never cast with the "men of blood" whose end is destruction. This verse beautifully reflects the foundational biblical truth that while all are fallen, God honors the repentant and sincere pursuit of righteousness, promising a different outcome for them compared to the impenitent. It reminds believers that true blessedness lies in seeking spiritual purity and aligning with God's path, ultimately trusting in His righteous discernment.