Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, And the place where Your glory dwells. Do not gather my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloodthirsty men, Psalm 26:8,9
A Prayer for Separation
David appeals for vindication by God, deserved because of his trusting, obedient heart.
Fellowship (26:1-8). Our confidence in prayer rests first on an awareness of who God is. But it also depends on our conviction that we ourselves are living in fellowship with the Lord. We are in fellowship with God if we have placed our trust in Him, remain aware of His love, habitually walk in His truth, refrain from intimate associations with the wicked, maintain our innocence, make open profession of our faith and love for God and identify ourselves with God’s people.
26:9 Do not gather: On the basis of his protests of integrity (vv.1, 2), David prays for divine discrimination (4:3). God distinguishes those who have responded to His grace from those who have not.
9 Do not gather my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
⇒ Even without fire and brimstones, a place where evildoers live would be hell. It’s enough that we live in this evil world now. But not for ever.
26 1 A Psalm of David. Vindicate me, O Lord, For I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the Lord; I shall not slip. 2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart. 3 For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth. 4 I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go in with hypocrites. 5 I have hated the assembly of evildoers, And will not sit with the wicked.
6 I will wash my hands in innocence; So I will go about Your altar, O Lord, 7 That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works. 8 Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, And the place where Your glory dwells. 9 Do not gather my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloodthirsty men, 10 In whose hands is a sinister scheme, And whose right hand is full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me and be merciful to me. 12 My foot stands in an even place; In the congregations I will bless the Lord.
