Psalm 26:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 26:1-5

It is probable that David penned this psalm when he was persecuted by Saul and his party, who, to give some colour to their unjust rage, represented him as a very bad man, and falsely accused him of many high crimes and misdemeanors, dressed him up in the skins of wild beasts that they might bait him. Innocency itself is no fence to the name, though it is to the bosom, against the darts of calumny. Herein he was a type of Christ, who was made a reproach of men, and foretold to his followers... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 26:5

I have hated the congregation of evildoers ,.... That do harm to the persons, characters, or properties of men; and who meet together in bodies, to consult and form schemes to do mischief, and have their assemblies to encourage each other in it; these, their works and actions, the psalmist hated, though not their persons; and showed his displicency at them, and dislike and disapprobation of them, by absenting from them; see Jeremiah 15:17 ; and will not sit with the wicked ; ungodly... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 26:5

I have hated the congregation of evil doers - I have never made one in the crowds of discontented persons; persons who, under pretense of rectifying what was wrong in the state, strove to subvert it, to breed general confusion, to overturn the laws, seize on private property, and enrich themselves by the spoils of the country. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 26:5

Verse 5 5.I hate the assembly. The Psalmist protests again how greatly he abhorred the ungodly. Formerly he denied that he had any fellowship with them; now he still more explicitly declares that he fled from their company with loathing, for that is the meaning of the phrase, I hate. It is indeed true, that the wicked are everywhere hated; but how few withdraw themselves from them, that they may not imitate their vices! David asserts both; he tells us that he hated their society, and that he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 26:1-12

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 26:1-12

Assailed integrity's final appeal £ It seems evident that this psalm was written by some Old Testament saint who was surrounded by ungodly men, by whom he was assailed, reproached, and slandered. From them he appeals to God. By the heading of the psalm we are pointed to David as the author. And there is no reason for questioning that. Mr. Fausset, in his most suggestive book, 'Horae Psalmicae,' working along the line of "undesigned coincidences," remarks, "Another feature of undesigned... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 26:1-12

Integrity. All through the Scriptures "integrity" is commended. It is a characteristic of the saints. Whatever else they are, they must be men of integrity. This does not mean that they are morally perfect, or that they have any ground for trusting in their own righteousness; but it means that they have an "honest and good heart." Whatever may have been their past life, or however much of imperfection may still cleave to them, they are conscious of a pure intent, a firm and steadfast... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 26:1-12

The oppressed righteous man. It is impossible to say on what occasion the psalm was composed, or from what kind of trouble it prays to be delivered. The theme is—Only he who can say with truth, " I have walked in integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord," may depend upon Divine aid in trouble; but we may do so with full confidence. In the first verse the whole psalm is summed up. I. A PRAYER FOR HELP IN TROUBLE . "Judge me," equivalent to " vindicate my rights and rescue... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 26:5

I have hated the congregation of evil-doers. Fifthly, he has hated, and hates, with a holy and strong abhorrence (comp. Psalms 139:22 ), the congregation of evil-deers—the gatherings and assemblies of those who meet only for wicked purposes—to sin themselves, and to draw others into like evil courses. This is a positive trait of a very marked character, and goes far beyond the explanation which has been given of it: "I take no part in assemblies for the ruin of others" (Hengstenberg).... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 26:5

I have hated - We have here the same evidence of his piety repeated in another and a stronger form. In the previous verse he had merely stated that he had not been found among that class of persons, or that he had not made them his companions. He here says positively that he disapproved of their principles; that he hated the purpose for which they gathered themselves together; that he had no sympathy whatever with them.The congregation of evil-doers - All such assemblages as were gathered... read more

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