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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 26:9 Do not take my soul away with sinners, or my life with men of bloodshed,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/26-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/19_Psa_026_009.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 26:9 - Vindicate Me, O LORD" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not take my soul away with sinners, or my life with men of bloodshed," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/26-9.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/26-9.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/26.htm">Chapter 26</a> > Verse 9</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/26-8.htm" title="Psalm 26:8">◄</a> Psalm 26:9 <a href="/psalms/26-10.htm" title="Psalm 26:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/26.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/26.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with those who are bloodthirsty,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/26.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners. Don’t condemn me along with murderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/26.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/26.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not take my soul away with sinners, or my life with men of bloodshed,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/26.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/26.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Do not gather my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloodthirsty men,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/26.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not take my soul away <i>along</i> with sinners, Nor my life with men of bloodshed,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/26.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Do not take my soul away along with sinners, Nor my life with men of bloodshed,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/26.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Do not take my soul away <i>along</i> with sinners, Nor my life with men of bloodshed,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/26.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Do not take my soul away <i>along</i> with sinners, Nor my life with men of bloodshed,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/26.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, Nor [sweep away] my life with men of bloodshed,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/26.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not destroy me along with sinners, or my life along with men of bloodshed<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/26.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not destroy me along with sinners, or my life along with men of bloodshed <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/26.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Gather not my soul with sinners, Nor my life with men of blood;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/26.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't sweep me away, as you do sinners. Don't punish me with death as you do those people who are brutal <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/26.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with men of blood:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/26.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Do not sweep away my soul along with hardened sinners or my life along with bloodthirsty people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/26.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do not destroy me with the sinners; spare me from the fate of murderers--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/26.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not group me with sinners, nor include me with men who shed blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/26.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Do not sweep me away with sinners, or execute me along with violent people, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/26.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Do not gather my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/26.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/26.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not take my soul away with sinners, or my life with men of bloodshed,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/26.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Don’t gather my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/26.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not gather my soul with sinners, "" And my life with men of blood,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/26.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Do not gather with sinners my soul, And with men of blood my life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/26.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou wilt not gather my soul with the sinning, and my life with men of bloods:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/26.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Take not away my soul, O God, with the wicked: nor my life with bloody men: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/26.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 25:9>O God, do not let my soul perish with the impious, nor my life with the men of blood,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/26.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Do not take me away with sinners, nor my life with the men of blood, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/26.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not sweep me away with sinners, nor my life with the bloodthirsty,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/26.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Destroy me not with sinners nor my life with bloody men,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/26.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Do not destroy me with the sinners, or my life with bloody men.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/26.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Gather not my soul with sinners, Nor my life with men of blood;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/26.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Destroy not my soul together with the ungodly, nor my life with bloody men:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/26-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=2725" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/26.htm">Vindicate Me, O LORD</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>O LORD, I love the house where You dwell, the place where Your glory resides. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/622.htm" title="622: te·’ĕ·sōp̄ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To gather, remove. A primitive root; to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. Remove.">take</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·šî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">my soul</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im- (Prep) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">away with</a> <a href="/hebrew/2400.htm" title="2400: ḥaṭ·ṭā·’îm (Adj-mp) -- Sinful, sinners. Intensively from chata'; a criminal, or one accounted guilty.">sinners,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥay·yāy (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">or my life</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: wə·‘im- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: ’an·šê (N-mpc) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">men</a> <a href="/hebrew/1818.htm" title="1818: ḏā·mîm (N-mp) -- Blood. From damam; blood of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively bloodshed.">of bloodshed,</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-15.htm">Proverbs 1:15-16</a></span><br />my son, do not walk the road with them or set foot upon their path. / For their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-14.htm">Proverbs 4:14-15</a></span><br />Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. / Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-1.htm">Proverbs 24:1-2</a></span><br />Do not envy wicked men or desire their company; / for their hearts devise violence, and their lips declare trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/1-1.htm">Psalm 1:1</a></span><br />Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-115.htm">Psalm 119:115</a></span><br />Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may obey the commandments of my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-15.htm">Isaiah 1:15</a></span><br />When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/33-15.htm">Isaiah 33:15</a></span><br />He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, who refuses gain from extortion, whose hand never takes a bribe, who stops his ears against murderous plots and shuts his eyes tightly against evil—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/15-17.htm">Jeremiah 15:17</a></span><br />I never sat with the band of revelers, nor did I celebrate with them. Because Your hand was on me, I sat alone, for You have filled me with indignation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-16.htm">Jeremiah 7:16</a></span><br />As for you, do not pray for these people, do not offer a plea or petition on their behalf, and do not beg Me, for I will not listen to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/9-4.htm">Ezekiel 9:4-6</a></span><br />“Go throughout the city of Jerusalem,” said the LORD, “and put a mark on the foreheads of the men sighing and groaning over all the abominations committed there.” / And as I listened, He said to the others, “Follow him through the city and start killing; do not show pity or spare anyone! / Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-22.htm">Matthew 7:22-23</a></span><br />Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-31.htm">Matthew 25:31-33</a></span><br />When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. / All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. / He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/13-26.htm">Luke 13:26-27</a></span><br />Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ / And he will answer, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/17-15.htm">John 17:15</a></span><br />I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/16-17.htm">Romans 16:17-18</a></span><br />Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. / For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:</p><p class="hdg">Gather not.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/28-1.htm">Psalm 28:1-3</a></b></br> <i>A Psalm</i> of David. Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, <i>if</i> thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/25-29.htm">1 Samuel 25:29</a></b></br> Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, <i>as out</i> of the middle of a sling.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/malachi/3-18.htm">Malachi 3:18</a></b></br> Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.</p><p class="hdg">bloody men [heb.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/51-14.htm">Psalm 51:14</a></b></br> Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: <i>and</i> my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/55-23.htm">Psalm 55:23</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/139-19.htm">Psalm 139:19</a></b></br> Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/16-4.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/psalms/5-6.htm">Bloodshed</a> <a href="/psalms/5-6.htm">Bloodthirsty</a> <a href="/psalms/5-6.htm">Bloody</a> <a href="/psalms/7-7.htm">Gather</a> <a href="/psalms/25-20.htm">Life</a> <a href="/job/38-37.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/psalms/26-5.htm">Sinners</a> <a href="/psalms/25-20.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-21.htm">Sweep</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/30-9.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/psalms/55-23.htm">Bloodshed</a> <a href="/psalms/55-23.htm">Bloodthirsty</a> <a href="/psalms/55-23.htm">Bloody</a> <a href="/psalms/27-10.htm">Gather</a> <a href="/psalms/27-4.htm">Life</a> <a href="/psalms/37-18.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/psalms/28-3.htm">Sinners</a> <a href="/psalms/30-3.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/psalms/40-14.htm">Sweep</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 26</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/26-1.htm">David resorts to God in confidence of his integrity</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/26.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/26.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Do not take my soul away with sinners</b><br>This phrase reflects a plea for divine protection and separation from those who are wicked. In biblical context, "soul" often refers to one's entire being or life. The psalmist seeks to be distinguished from sinners, emphasizing a desire for righteousness and purity. This echoes the sentiment found in <a href="/psalms/1.htm">Psalm 1</a>, where the righteous are contrasted with the wicked. The plea also aligns with the biblical theme of divine judgment, where God separates the righteous from the unrighteous, as seen in the parable of the sheep and goats in <a href="/matthew/25-31.htm">Matthew 25:31-46</a>.<p><b>or my life with men of bloodshed</b><br>The term "men of bloodshed" refers to those who commit acts of violence and murder. In the historical and cultural context of ancient Israel, bloodshed was a serious offense that defiled the land and required atonement (<a href="/numbers/35-33.htm">Numbers 35:33</a>). The psalmist's request to be spared from sharing the fate of such individuals highlights a desire for moral integrity and divine justice. This plea can be connected to the broader biblical narrative of God as a just judge who punishes the wicked and vindicates the innocent, as seen in <a href="/genesis/18-25.htm">Genesis 18:25</a>. Additionally, it foreshadows the ultimate separation of good and evil at the final judgment, a theme prevalent in both Old and New Testament eschatology.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of this Psalm, David is expressing a plea for divine distinction between himself and the wicked.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/sinners.htm">Sinners</a></b><br>Refers to those who live in opposition to God's laws and righteousness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/men_of_bloodshed.htm">Men of Bloodshed</a></b><br>Individuals who engage in violence and murder, representing extreme wickedness.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate judge and protector, whom David is appealing to for deliverance.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_assembly_of_the_righteous.htm">The Assembly of the Righteous</a></b><br>Implied as the opposite of the company of sinners, where David desires to be found.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_righteous_living.htm">The Importance of Righteous Living</a></b><br>David's plea highlights the importance of living a life that is distinct from the wicked. Believers are called to pursue holiness and righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god_as_the_righteous_judge.htm">God as the Righteous Judge</a></b><br>Trust in God's ability to discern and judge between the righteous and the wicked. This encourages believers to rely on God's justice rather than taking matters into their own hands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_association_with_the_wicked.htm">The Danger of Association with the Wicked</a></b><br>Associating with sinners can lead to spiritual compromise. Believers should be cautious about their relationships and influences.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_for_deliverance.htm">Prayer for Deliverance</a></b><br>Like David, believers should regularly pray for deliverance from evil influences and for strength to remain steadfast in righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a></b><br>David's concern is not just for his earthly life but for his soul. Believers should maintain an eternal perspective, focusing on their spiritual well-being and ultimate destiny.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_26.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 26</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_9_12_fit_a_loving_god.htm">Psalm 9:12 suggests God avenges bloodshed; how does this align with the concept of a loving God, especially in light of contradictory examples throughout history?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_punish_the_psalmist_with_evildoers.htm">(Psalm 26:9-10) Why would a just God punish the psalmist alongside evildoers if everyone is equally flawed?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_a_rebuke_from_the_righteous_kind.htm">Psalm 141:5 - Why would a 'strike' or rebuke from the righteous be considered a kindness, when other biblical passages seem to discourage violence?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_often_does_god_forgive_sins.htm">How often will God forgive repeated sins?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/26.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">Gather not.</span>--Better as in margin. The psalmist prays that he may be spared to worship in the sanctuary, when doom falls on evildoers and carries them off. The LXX. and Vulg. have "destroy not."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/26.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> <span class="cmt_word">- Gather not my soul with sinners</span>. Unite me not in one doom with open sinners - those with whom I have always refused to consort (vers. 4, 5) - whose congregation I have "hated." "That the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (<a href="/genesis/18-25.htm">Genesis 18:25</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Nor my life with bloody men</span>. Bloody men - literally, <span class="accented">men of bloods</span> - <span class="accented">are</span> the worst of wicked men, cut-throats, assassins, murderers. At any rate, put me not on a par with them. Little, probably, did the psalmist think at this time how soon he was to become, practically, a murderer, and to "slay Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the children of Ammon" (<a href="/2_samuel/12-9.htm">2 Samuel 12:9</a>) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/26-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">take</span><br /><span class="heb">תֶּאֱסֹ֣ף</span> <span class="translit">(te·’ĕ·sōp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_622.htm">Strong's 622: </a> </span><span class="str2">To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my soul</span><br /><span class="heb">נַפְשִׁ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(nap̄·šî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">away with</span><br /><span class="heb">עִם־</span> <span class="translit">(‘im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sinners,</span><br /><span class="heb">חַטָּאִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(ḥaṭ·ṭā·’îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2400.htm">Strong's 2400: </a> </span><span class="str2">A criminal, one accounted guilty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or my life</span><br /><span class="heb">חַיָּֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḥay·yāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעִם־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">men</span><br /><span class="heb">אַנְשֵׁ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(’an·šê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of bloodshed,</span><br /><span class="heb">דָמִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(ḏā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1818.htm">Strong's 1818: </a> </span><span class="str2">Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/26-9.htm">Psalm 26:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/26-9.htm">Psalm 26:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/26-9.htm">Psalm 26:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/26-9.htm">Psalm 26:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/26-9.htm">Psalm 26:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/26-9.htm">Psalm 26:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/26-9.htm">Psalm 26:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/26-9.htm">Psalm 26:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/26-9.htm">Psalm 26:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/26-9.htm">Psalm 26:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/26-9.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 26:9 Don't gather my soul with sinners (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/26-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 26:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 26:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/26-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 26:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 26:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>