Psalm 26:4 Study Bible: I have not sat with deceitful men, neither will I go in with hypocrites.

◄ Psalm 26:4 ►

I do not sit with deceitful men, nor keep company with hypocrites.

I do not sit with deceitful men
This phrase emphasizes the psalmist's commitment to integrity and truth. In biblical times, to "sit" with someone often implied fellowship or agreement. The psalmist distances himself from deceitful individuals, reflecting a desire to maintain purity and righteousness. This aligns with the wisdom literature, such as Proverbs 13:20, which warns about the company one keeps. The psalmist's stance is a call to avoid the influence of those who practice deceit, echoing the broader biblical theme of separating from sin and unrighteousness.

nor keep company with hypocrites
The term "hypocrites" refers to those who pretend to have virtues or beliefs that they do not actually possess. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, hypocrisy was particularly detested, as it represented a betrayal of the covenant relationship with God. Jesus later condemns the Pharisees for their hypocrisy in the Gospels (e.g., Matthew 23:27-28), highlighting the continuity of this theme. The psalmist's rejection of hypocrites underscores a commitment to authenticity and sincerity in one's relationship with God and others, serving as a precursor to the teachings of Christ on genuine faith and conduct.

Persons / Places / Events

1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 26, David is expressing his commitment to integrity and righteousness before God.

2. Deceitful Men
Individuals characterized by dishonesty and falsehood, whom David chooses to avoid.

3. Hypocrites
Those who pretend to have virtues or beliefs that they do not truly possess, often leading a double life.

4. Temple Worship
The context of the psalm suggests a setting of worship and seeking God's presence, emphasizing purity and sincerity.

5. Israel
The nation to whom the psalm was originally addressed, highlighting the importance of communal and individual holiness.

Teaching Points

Integrity in Relationships
As believers, we are called to maintain integrity in our relationships, avoiding those who might compromise our values.

Discernment in Associations
We must exercise discernment in choosing our companions, ensuring they align with our commitment to Christ.

Pursuit of Holiness
Our lives should reflect a pursuit of holiness, avoiding hypocrisy and deceit in our actions and words.

Influence of Company
Recognize the powerful influence of those we associate with and strive to surround ourselves with godly influences.

Authenticity in Faith
Our faith should be genuine and evident in our daily lives, avoiding the pitfalls of hypocrisy.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does David's choice to avoid deceitful and hypocritical company challenge us in our current relationships?

2. In what ways can we identify and distance ourselves from deceitful influences in our lives today?

3. How does the theme of integrity in Psalm 26:4 relate to the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure our faith is authentic and not hypocritical?

5. How can we apply the wisdom of Proverbs 13:20 in choosing our friends and associates?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Psalm 1
This psalm contrasts the way of the righteous with the way of the wicked, similar to David's choice to avoid deceitful and hypocritical company.

Proverbs 13:20
This proverb warns about the influence of companions, reinforcing the idea of choosing one's company wisely.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Paul advises believers to separate themselves from unbelievers, echoing the theme of avoiding those who might lead one astray.

Matthew 23
Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, aligning with David's rejection of hypocritical company.

James 1:22-27
James emphasizes the importance of being doers of the word, not just hearers, which relates to the sincerity David seeks.

Sermons

An Appeal Marked by Specific Entreaty	C. Clemence, D. D.	Psalm 26:1-12
Assailed Integrity's Final Appeal. F1	C. Clemance	Psalm 26:1-12
David's Appeal and its Issue	Bp. Wm. Nicholson.	Psalm 26:1-12
David's Integrity	D. Caldwell, M. A.	Psalm 26:1-12
Integrity	W. Forsyth	Psalm 26:1-12
Leading Proofs of Personal Piety	Homilist	Psalm 26:1-12
The Character of an Upright Man Sketched by Himself	C. Clemence, D. D.	Psalm 26:1-12
The Oppressed Righteous Man	C. Short	Psalm 26:1-12
Separate, Yet Near	A. Maclaren, D. D.	Psalm 26:4-5
With Wicked Men, But not of Them	D. Caldwell, M. A.	Psalm 26:4-5

People

David, Psalmist

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Consort, Deceitful, Dissemblers, Enter, Falsehood, Foolish, Hypocrites, Persons, Pretenders, Sat, Seat, Sit, Vain

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Psalm 26:4

8767 hypocrisy

Library

Question of the Comparison Between the Active and the Contemplative Life
I. Is the Active Life preferable to the Contemplative? Cardinal Cajetan, On Preparation for the Contemplative Life S. Augustine, Confessions, X., xliii. 70 " On Psalm xxvi. II. Is the Active Life more Meritorious than the Contemplative? III. Is the Active Life a Hindrance to the Contemplative Life? Cardinal Cajetan, On the True Interior Life S. Augustine, Sermon, CCLVI., v. 6 IV. Does the Active Life precede the Contemplative? I Is the Active Life preferable to the Contemplative? The Lord …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

Hezekiah, the Praying King
One can form a habit of study until the will seems to be at rest and only the intellect is engaged, the will having retired altogether from exercise. This is not true of real praying. If the affections are laggard, cold, indifferent, if the intellect is furnishing no material to clothe the petition with imagery and fervor, the prayer is a mere vaporing ofintellectual exercise, nothing being accomplished worth while.--Rev. Homer W. Hodge The great religious reformation under King Hezekiah and the …
Edward M. Bounds—Prayer and Praying Men

The Courts of God
"Lord, I have loved the habitation of Thy house, and the place where Thine honour dwelleth."--Ps. xxvi. 8. R. Rolle, 1349. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 O Lord, I have loved the fair beauty Of the house Thou hast chosen for Thee, The courts where Thy gladness rejoiceth, And where Thou delightest to be. For I love to be made the fair dwelling Where God in His grace may abide; I would cast forth whatever may grieve Thee, And welcome none other beside. Oh blessed the grace that has made me The home …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series)

Epistle v. To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor.
To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor. Gregory to Theoctista, &c. With how great devotion my mind prostrates itself before your Venerableness I cannot fully express in words; nor yet do I labour to give utterance to it, since, even though I were silent, you read in your heart your own sense of my devotion. I wonder, however, that you withdrew your countenance, till of late bestowed on me, from this my recent engagement in the pastoral office; wherein, under colour of episcopacy, I have been brought …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

A Discourse of the Building, Nature, Excellency, and Government of the House of God; with Counsels and Directions to the Inhabitants Thereof.
BY JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. 'Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.'--Psalm 26:8 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Beautiful in its simplicity is this treatise on the Church of Christ, by John Bunyan. He opens, with profound knowledge and eminent skill, all those portions of sacred writ which illustrate the nature, excellency, and government of the house of God, with the personal and relative duties of its inhabitants. It was originally published in …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Letter xxxix (A. D. 1137) to the Same.
To the Same. He expresses his regret at his very long absence from his beloved Clairvaux, and his desire to return to his dear sons. He tells them of the consolations that he feels nevertheless in his great labours for the Church. 1. My soul is sorrowful until I return, and it refuses to be comforted till it see you. For what is my consolation in the hour of evil, and in the place of my pilgrimage? Are not you in the Lord? Wherever I go, the sweet memory of you never leaves me; but the sweeter the …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Assurance
Q-xxxvi: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS WHICH FLOW FROM SANCTIFICATION? A: Assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end. The first benefit flowing from sanctification is assurance of God's love. 'Give diligence to make your calling and election sure.' 2 Pet 1:10. Sanctification is the seed, assurance is the flower which grows out of it: assurance is a consequent of sanctification. The saints of old had it. We know that we know …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

St. Augustine (Ad 354-430)
PART I The church in the north of Africa has hardly been mentioned since the time of St. Cyprian (Chapter VIII). But we must now look towards it again, since in the days of St. Chrysostom it produced a man who was perhaps the greatest of all the old Christian fathers--St. Augustine. Augustine was born at Thagaste, a city of Numidia, in the year 354. His mother, Monica, was a pious Christian, but his father, Patricius, was a heathen, and a man of no very good character. Monica was resolved to bring …
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation

Question Lxxxiii of Prayer
I. Is Prayer an Act of the Appetitive Powers? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer based on Friendship II. Is it Fitting to Pray? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer as a True Cause S. Augustine, On the Sermon on the Mount, II. iii. 14 " On the Gift of Perseverance, vii. 15 III. Is Prayer an Act of the Virtue of Religion? Cardinal Cajetan, On the Humility of Prayer S. Augustine, On Psalm cii. 10 " Of the Gift of Perseverance, xvi. 39 IV. Ought We to Pray to God Alone? S. Augustine, Sermon, cxxvii. 2 V. …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

A Treatise on Good Works
I. We ought first to know that there are no good works except those which God has commanded, even as there is no sin except that which God has forbidden. Therefore whoever wishes to know and to do good works needs nothing else than to know God's commandments. Thus Christ says, Matthew xix, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." And when the young man asks Him, Matthew xix, what he shall do that he may inherit eternal life, Christ sets before him naught else but the Ten Commandments. …
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good Works

The Morning of Good Friday.
The pale grey light had passed into that of early morning, when the Sanhedrists once more assembled in the Palace of Caiaphas. [5969] A comparison with the terms in which they who had formed the gathering of the previous night are described will convey the impression, that the number of those present was now increased, and that they who now came belonged to the wisest and most influential of the Council. It is not unreasonable to suppose, that some who would not take part in deliberations which were …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Greatness of the Soul,
AND UNSPEAKABLENESS 0F THE LOSS THEREOF; WITH THE CAUSES OF THE LOSING IT. FIRST PREACHED AT PINNER'S HALL and now ENLARGED AND PUBLISHED FOR GOOD. By JOHN BUNYAN, London: Printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1682 Faithfully reprinted from the Author's First Edition. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Our curiosity is naturally excited to discover what a poor, unlettered mechanic, whose book-learning had been limited to the contents of one volume, could by possibility know …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Question of the Contemplative Life
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St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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