Psalms 26:9

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Gather {H622} not my soul {H5315} with sinners {H2400}, nor my life {H2416} with bloody {H1818} men {H582}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't include me with sinners or my life with the bloodthirsty.

Berean Standard Bible

Do not take my soul away with sinners, or my life with men of bloodshed,

American Standard Version

Gather not my soul with sinners, Nor my life with men of blood;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 26:9 is a fervent prayer from David, expressing a profound desire for divine distinction from the wicked, both in his earthly associations and ultimate destiny. It encapsulates his plea for God to preserve his soul and life from being "gathered" or judged alongside those characterized by sin and violence, underscoring his commitment to integrity and righteousness in contrast to the ungodly.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 26 is a psalm of David's integrity and a heartfelt plea for vindication. Throughout the preceding verses, David asserts his blameless walk, his unwavering trust in the Lord, and his deliberate refusal to associate with the deceitful and wicked. He invites God to examine him and test his heart, declaring his love for God's house and his abhorrence of evil assemblies (e.g., [Psalm 26:2](/psalms/26-2 "David's Plea for Examination"), [Psalm 26:4-5](/psalms/26-4 "David's Separation from the Wicked")). This particular verse, "Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men," serves as a climactic petition, directly asking God to prevent him from sharing the fate or judgment of the unrighteous, thereby reinforcing his desire for his end to be distinct from theirs, reflecting his righteous conduct.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David, as king and a man of God, lived in a society where justice and divine favor were closely intertwined with personal conduct. Kings were expected to uphold righteousness, and their integrity was a reflection of their relationship with God. The concept of "gathering" or being "swept away" with the wicked could imply a shared calamity, a common death, or even a collective judgment in the afterlife. In ancient Israel, the community's well-being was often seen as tied to the righteousness of its leaders. David's prayer reflects a deep awareness of the consequences of unrighteousness, not just for individuals but for the nation, and his personal commitment to avoiding such a fate. His plea is set against a backdrop of ongoing conflict and the presence of "bloody men" (likely referring to violent enemies or those who shed innocent blood), emphasizing a real and present danger from which he sought divine protection and ultimate separation.
* **Key Themes:** The central themes of Psalm 26, to which verse 9 significantly contributes, include **Integrity and Vindication**, where David consistently affirms his blameless walk and seeks God's righteous judgment to distinguish him from the wicked. Another prominent theme is **Separation from Evil**, as David explicitly details his refusal to join with the ungodly and his desire for his life and destiny to be utterly distinct from theirs, echoing the wisdom found in [Psalm 1:1](/psalms/1-1 "The Blessed Man's Path"). This verse also powerfully conveys the theme of **Divine Justice and Destiny**, expressing David's trust that God will ultimately differentiate between the righteous and the wicked, ensuring a just recompense and a distinct eternal portion for those who walk in His ways, a promise reiterated in passages like [Malachi 3:18](/malachi/3-18 "Distinction Between Righteous and Wicked").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gather (Hebrew, _’āsaph'_):** This word carries the sense of "to collect," "to take away," or "to assemble." In this context, it implies more than merely dying at the same time as sinners; it speaks to being associated with them in their judgment, their ultimate destiny, or the consequences of their actions. It is a prayer against being swept up into their end, highlighting a spiritual and eternal separation rather than just a temporal one.
* **Sinners (Hebrew, _chaṭṭā’îm'_):** Refers to those who habitually "miss the mark" of God's law and will. It denotes a character of persistent rebellion or disregard for divine standards, not merely occasional transgressions.
* **Bloody men (Hebrew, _’anšei dāmîm'_):** Literally "men of blood." This vivid phrase emphasizes their character as violent, ruthless, and often guilty of bloodshed, injustice, and malicious intent. It points to a deep moral corruption that manifests in destructive actions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Gather not my soul with sinners":** David's primary petition is for God to prevent his spiritual essence, his very being, from being associated or swept away with those who habitually disregard God's commands. This is a plea for divine preservation from a shared fate of judgment or condemnation with the unrighteous. It underscores his desire for a distinct spiritual destiny.
* **"nor my life with bloody men":** This clause parallels the first, broadening the scope from "soul" to "life," encompassing his entire existence, both present and future. "Bloody men" refers to those characterized by violence, deceit, and injustice. David is praying that his temporal existence and ultimate end would not be intertwined with or suffer the same consequences as those whose lives are marked by such heinous acts. It is a cry for a clear, divine separation between his righteous path and their destructive one.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Parallelism**, a foundational feature of Hebrew poetry, by repeating a similar thought in two different phrases ("Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men"). This specific form is **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second line reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first, emphasizing the depth of David's desire for separation. The terms "soul" and "life" are used interchangeably to denote his entire being, while "sinners" and "bloody men" serve as complementary descriptors for the ungodly, highlighting both their moral transgression and their violent actions. The use of **Metonymy** is also present, as "bloody men" stands in for the character and actions of those who shed innocent blood or commit violent deeds. This vivid imagery underscores the stark contrast David wishes to maintain between himself and the wicked.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 26:9 is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine justice and the ultimate separation of the righteous from the wicked. David's prayer is rooted in the conviction that God sees and distinguishes between those who walk in integrity and those who persist in sin. It affirms the biblical truth that God is a righteous judge who will not allow the righteous to suffer the same eternal fate as the ungodly, even if their paths may temporarily intersect in this life. This distinction is not based on human merit alone but on God's covenant faithfulness to those who seek Him and walk in His ways, leading to a hope for ultimate vindication and a secure destiny.

* [Psalm 1:4-6](/psalms/1-4 "The Destiny of the Wicked and Righteous")
* [Matthew 13:49-50](/matthew/13-49 "Parable of the Net and Final Separation")
* [Revelation 21:27](/revelation/21-27 "Purity in the New Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's earnest prayer in Psalm 26:9 resonates deeply with the believer's desire for a life and destiny distinct from the world's ways. It challenges us to examine our associations, not just in terms of physical proximity but in terms of shared values, pursuits, and ultimate allegiances. While we are called to engage with the world as salt and light, this verse reminds us of the critical importance of guarding our hearts and minds against adopting the patterns, philosophies, or moral compromises of those who live contrary to God's will. Our prayer should echo David's: that our lives, both now and eternally, would be clearly marked as belonging to God, reflecting His righteousness and truth. This requires intentional choices daily to walk in integrity, pursue holiness, and align our desires with God's, trusting that He will ultimately make a clear distinction between those who serve Him and those who do not.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be subtly "gathered" with the world's values or practices, even unintentionally?**
* **How does my daily life demonstrate a clear distinction between my walk with God and the path of "sinners" or "bloody men"?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my closest associations encourage my spiritual growth and reinforce my commitment to Christ?**
* **How does David's trust in God's ultimate justice encourage me when I see the temporary prosperity or influence of the ungodly?**

### FAQ

**What does "Gather not my soul with sinners" mean in a practical sense for believers today?**

Answer: Practically, this phrase means to pray for and actively pursue a life that is distinct from those who reject God's ways. It's a prayer that your spiritual essence and ultimate destiny would not be intertwined with the condemnation or judgment reserved for the unrighteous. For believers, this translates into a commitment to holiness, righteous living, and guarding against adopting the values, practices, or destructive paths of the world. It’s about ensuring that our lives, both in this world and the next, are clearly identified with Christ and His kingdom, not with the kingdom of darkness. It emphasizes the importance of our choices in relationships, entertainment, ethics, and overall lifestyle, seeking to honor God in all things.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 26:9, a plea for divine separation from the wicked, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While David prayed that his soul would not be "gathered with sinners," Jesus, the sinless Son of God, willingly allowed Himself to be "numbered with the transgressors" ([Isaiah 53:12](/isaiah/53-12 "Numbered with Transgressors")) on the cross. He became sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ bore the judgment and separation that was due to us, the true "sinners" and "bloody men" in our fallen state. Because of His work, those who believe in Him are eternally separated from the condemnation of the wicked. Our "gathering" is not with sinners for judgment, but with Christ in glory ([John 14:3](/john/14-3 "Jesus Prepares a Place for Us")). He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")), making it possible for us to be counted among the righteous and to have our names written in the Lamb's Book of Life, ensuring our ultimate and eternal distinction from those whose end is destruction ([Revelation 20:15](/revelation/20-15 "Book of Life and Final Judgment")). Thus, David's prayer is answered for all who are in Christ, securing their destiny with God.

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 139:19

Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

Revelation 22:14

Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Revelation 22:15

For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Matthew 25:44

Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Psalms 55:23

But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

Malachi 3:18

Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

Matthew 24:51

And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.