Psalms 26:5

KJV

I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.

KJV (with Strong's)

I have hated {H8130} the congregation {H6951} of evil doers {H7489}; and will not sit {H3427} with the wicked {H7563}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

I hate the mob of evildoers, and refuse to sit with the wicked.

American Standard Version

I hate the assembly of evil-doers, And will not sit with the wicked.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 26:5 presents David's resolute declaration of moral integrity and his intentional separation from those who practice wickedness. It expresses a profound moral abhorrence for the company and actions of evil doers, emphasizing his commitment to purity in fellowship and conduct as a prerequisite for approaching God in worship. This verse encapsulates David's desire for vindication by distinguishing himself from the ungodly, asserting his blamelessness and dedication to a righteous path.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 26 is a psalm of David, often categorized as a psalm of integrity or an individual lament and plea for vindication. Throughout the psalm, David asserts his blamelessness and righteousness, appealing to God as his judge. He invites divine scrutiny of his heart and actions (e.g., [Psalms 26:2](/psalms/26-2 "Psalms 26:2 - Test Me, Lord")), contrasting his upright walk with the deceitful and wicked. Verse 5, therefore, serves as a strong declaration of his deliberate choice to separate himself from ungodly associations, which is immediately followed by his intention to approach God's altar with clean hands, underscoring the connection between moral purity and worship (see [Psalms 26:6](/psalms/26-6 "Psalms 26:6 - Washing Hands in Innocence")). The psalm culminates in a renewed commitment to walking in integrity and praising God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David, as a king and a man after God's own heart, lived in a society where personal integrity and association profoundly impacted one's reputation and spiritual standing. The ancient Near East, including Israel, placed significant emphasis on communal identity and the influence of one's companions. For a king, maintaining a righteous court and avoiding corrupting influences was crucial for national well-being and divine favor. Furthermore, the concept of ritual purity and moral holiness was central to Israelite worship, particularly in approaching the tabernacle or temple. David's declaration reflects a deep understanding that one's company could either facilitate or hinder their walk with God, echoing wisdom traditions found throughout the Old Testament regarding the dangers of bad company (e.g., [Proverbs 13:20](/proverbs/13-20 "Proverbs 13:20 - Walk with the Wise")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes within Psalms 26 and the broader Psalter. The primary theme is **Separation from Evil**, highlighting David's active rejection of association with the wicked, not merely passive avoidance. This undergirds the theme of **Integrity and Righteousness**, as David's declaration is part of his plea for vindication, asserting his commitment to a life aligned with God's standards. It also touches on **Discerning Fellowship**, emphasizing the importance of choosing one's companions wisely, as associations can profoundly influence one's spiritual and moral standing, a concept echoed in [1 Corinthians 15:33](/1_corinthians/15-33 "1 Corinthians 15:33 - Bad Company Corrupts Good Morals"). Finally, it connects to **Worship and Holiness**, suggesting that a pure heart and righteous conduct, including the company one keeps, are prerequisites for acceptable worship before God, a foundational idea seen in [Psalms 1](/psalms/1 "Psalms 1 - The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hated (Hebrew, _sane'_):** This Hebrew verb (שָׂנֵא) often denotes a strong moral aversion, rejection, or abhorrence, rather than merely an emotional feeling of personal animosity or spite. In this context, it signifies a decisive turning away from, or a profound ethical opposition to, the actions, principles, and company of "evil doers." It's a statement of moral alignment, indicating David's utter incompatibility with wickedness.
* **Congregation (Hebrew, _qahal'_):** The term (קָהָל) refers to an assembly, company, or collective body of individuals. It suggests not just isolated wicked people, but a group or community characterized by evil. David's statement implies a rejection of their collective identity, their shared practices, and their corporate influence, emphasizing his refusal to be identified with such a group.
* **Sit (Hebrew, _yashab'_):** The verb (יָשַׁב) literally means "to sit," but in this context, it carries the metaphorical sense of dwelling, associating intimately, participating, or taking counsel with. It implies a refusal to enter into their fellowship, to share in their activities, or to be influenced by their ungodly ways. It signifies a deliberate choice to avoid complicity or close identification with the wicked.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I have hated the congregation of evil doers":** David declares a profound, active moral revulsion towards any assembly or group defined by wickedness. This is not a casual dislike but a deep-seated ethical opposition to their collective practices and principles. His "hatred" is directed at the evil itself and the corporate manifestation of it, rather than necessarily the individual persons, though it entails a refusal to join their ranks.
* **"and will not sit with the wicked":** This clause reinforces the first, specifying the practical outcome of his moral stance. David states his firm resolve to refrain from intimate association, participation, or close fellowship with individuals characterized by ungodliness. "Sitting with" implies sharing their counsel, partaking in their activities, or allowing their influence to shape his life. It is a commitment to maintaining a distinct moral and spiritual boundary.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Parallelism**, a common feature of Hebrew poetry, where the second clause ("and will not sit with the wicked") echoes and intensifies the meaning of the first ("I have hated the congregation of evil doers"). This creates a reinforcing effect, emphasizing David's steadfast commitment to separation. The use of "hated" can be understood as a form of **Hyperbole** or a strong expression of **Moral Antipathy**, conveying a deep-seated ethical revulsion rather than personal animosity. Furthermore, "sit with" functions as **Metonymy**, where the act of sitting represents the broader concept of intimate association, fellowship, and shared counsel, highlighting the comprehensive nature of David's disengagement from ungodly influences.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates the biblical principle of separation from evil, not as an act of self-righteous isolation, but as a necessary component of pursuing holiness and maintaining integrity before God. It underscores the profound impact of associations on one's spiritual journey, reminding believers that the company they keep can either foster or hinder their walk with God. David's declaration is rooted in his desire for divine vindication, demonstrating that a life of integrity, marked by a clear distinction from the world's ways, is a prerequisite for a close relationship with a holy God. This principle of moral discernment in fellowship is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of guarding one's heart and mind from corrupting influences.

* [Proverbs 13:20](/proverbs/13-20 "Proverbs 13:20 - Walk with the Wise")
* [1 Corinthians 15:33](/1_corinthians/15-33 "1 Corinthians 15:33 - Bad Company Corrupts Good Morals")
* [2 Corinthians 6:17](/2_corinthians/6-17 "2 Corinthians 6:17 - Come Out From Among Them")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 26:5 challenges believers to critically examine their associations and influences in an increasingly interconnected world. David's radical stance against the "congregation of evil doers" calls us to cultivate a similar moral abhorrence for sin and its practitioners, not in a spirit of judgment, but in a commitment to personal holiness and spiritual discernment. This means actively choosing to distance ourselves from environments, conversations, and relationships that compromise our faith or encourage ungodly behavior. It compels us to prioritize fellowship with those who genuinely seek to honor God, building one another up in righteousness. While we are called to love all people and be a light in the world, this verse reminds us that intimate fellowship and shared counsel should be reserved for those who align with God's truth, ensuring that our influences foster spiritual growth and integrity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "congregations of evil doers" or "wicked" associations might I be inadvertently "sitting with" in my life, whether in person, online, or through media?**
* **How does my choice of close companions reflect my commitment to God's righteousness and my desire for spiritual growth?**
* **In what practical ways can I cultivate a deeper moral aversion to sin while still demonstrating Christ's love to all people?**
* **What boundaries do I need to establish in my relationships or digital interactions to safeguard my integrity and spiritual walk?**

### FAQ
**Does "hated" in this verse mean personal animosity towards individuals?**

Answer: No, the Hebrew word _sane'_ (שָׂנֵא) typically denotes a strong moral aversion, rejection, or abhorrence of evil actions and principles, rather than personal animosity towards individuals. David is expressing a profound ethical opposition to wickedness itself and to those who embody and practice it collectively. It's a declaration of his moral alignment with God's righteousness, signifying that he cannot stand with or endorse the ways of the ungodly. This is distinct from the New Testament command to love one's enemies, as David's "hatred" here is directed at the *sin* and its *corporate manifestation*, not necessarily the *sinner* as a person to be despised or harmed.

**How does this verse apply to Christians who are called to be "in the world but not of the world" and to evangelize?**

Answer: This verse calls for discernment, not isolation. Christians are indeed called to be "in the world" and to share the Gospel (e.g., [John 17:15](/john/17-15 "John 17:15 - Not of the World")). However, "not of the world" (e.g., [John 17:16](/john/17-16 "John 17:16 - Not of the World")) implies a refusal to adopt its values, practices, or close fellowship with those who promote ungodliness. David's refusal to "sit with the wicked" means avoiding intimate association, shared counsel, or participation in their sinful ways that could compromise one's faith or integrity. It does not forbid interaction for the purpose of witness or showing love. Jesus Himself ate with sinners and tax collectors (e.g., [Matthew 9:10](/matthew/9-10 "Matthew 9:10 - Jesus Dines with Sinners")), but He never participated in their sin or allowed their values to corrupt His own. The application is to guard against corrupting influences while still engaging the world with the light of Christ (e.g., [Ephesians 5:11](/ephesians/5-11 "Ephesians 5:11 - Have No Fellowship with Unfruitful Works")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 26:5, with David's declaration of separation from the wicked, finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in Jesus Christ. While David struggled to maintain his integrity in a fallen world, Jesus lived a life of absolute and unblemished holiness, utterly separate from sin and its corrupting influence. He was "without sin" ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our High Priest")) and "committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth" ([1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Example of Suffering")). Unlike David, who could only declare his intention to avoid the wicked, Christ, though He mingled with sinners to save them (e.g., [Luke 15:1](/luke/15-1 "Luke 15:1 - Parable of the Lost Sheep") and [Luke 19:7](/luke/19-7 "Luke 19:7 - Jesus and Zacchaeus")), never "sat with" them in complicity with their sin. He was the light that exposed darkness ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), not one who joined it. Furthermore, David's desire for vindication through his own integrity points to Christ, who, as the truly righteous one, was vindicated by God through His resurrection, becoming our righteousness ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Through His atoning sacrifice, He takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), enabling His followers to be truly separated from the power of sin and to walk in newness of life, empowered by His Spirit to love what He loves and hate what He hates—namely, sin itself.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 31:6

I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.

Psalms 101:3

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; [it] shall not cleave to me.

Psalms 101:8

I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.

Psalms 139:21

Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

Psalms 139:22

I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.

Psalms 1:1

¶ Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

1 Corinthians 5:9

¶ I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: