Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I do not sit with the deceitful, nor do I associate with hypocrites. New Living Translation I do not spend time with liars or go along with hypocrites. English Standard Version I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. Berean Standard Bible I do not sit with deceitful men, nor keep company with hypocrites. King James Bible I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. New King James Version I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go in with hypocrites. New American Standard Bible I do not sit with deceitful people, Nor will I go with pretenders. NASB 1995 I do not sit with deceitful men, Nor will I go with pretenders. NASB 1977 I do not sit with deceitful men, Nor will I go with pretenders. Legacy Standard Bible I do not sit with worthless men, And I will not go with pretenders. Amplified Bible I do not sit with deceitful or unethical or worthless men, Nor seek companionship with pretenders (self-righteous hypocrites). Christian Standard Bible I do not sit with the worthless or associate with hypocrites. Holman Christian Standard Bible I do not sit with the worthless or associate with hypocrites. American Standard Version I have not sat with men of falsehood; Neither will I go in with dissemblers. Contemporary English Version I don't spend my time with worthless liars English Revised Version I have not sat with vain persons; neither will I go in with dissemblers. GOD'S WORD® Translation I did not sit with liars, and I will not be found among hypocrites. Good News Translation I do not keep company with worthless people; I have nothing to do with hypocrites. International Standard Version I do not sit with those committed to what is false, nor do I travel with hypocrites. NET Bible I do not associate with deceitful men, or consort with those who are dishonest. New Heart English Bible I have not sat with deceitful men, neither will I go in with hypocrites. Webster's Bible Translation I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleI do not sit with deceitful men, nor keep company with hypocrites. World English Bible I have not sat with deceitful men, neither will I go in with hypocrites. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionI have not sat with vain men, "" And I do not enter with pretenders. Young's Literal Translation I have not sat with vain men, And with dissemblers I enter not. Smith's Literal Translation I sat not with men of vanity, and I will not go in with those lying hid. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleI have not sat with the council of vanity: neither will I go in with the doers of unjust things. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible I do not sit with worthless men, nor with hypocrites do I mingle. New Revised Standard Version I do not sit with the worthless, nor do I consort with hypocrites; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleI have not sat with evil persons; neither have I associated with detestable persons. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated I have not sat with the evil, neither have I entered with fools. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917I have not sat with men of falsehood; Neither will I go in with dissemblers. Brenton Septuagint Translation I have not sat with the council of vanity, and will in nowise enter in with transgressors. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Vindicate Me, O LORD…3For Your loving devotion is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth. 4I do not sit with deceitful men, nor keep company with hypocrites. 5I hate the mob of evildoers, and refuse to sit with the wicked.… Cross References Proverbs 4:14-15 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. 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Proverbs 1:10-15 My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them. / If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause, / let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit. ... 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” ... Ephesians 5:11 Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Psalm 1:1 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. Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. / I was not including the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. / But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us. Proverbs 24:1-2 Do not envy wicked men or desire their company; / for their hearts devise violence, and their lips declare trouble. 2 Timothy 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these! Psalm 119:115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may obey the commandments of my God. Romans 16:17 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. 1 John 1:6 If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. Proverbs 23:6-7 Do not eat the bread of a stingy man, and do not crave his delicacies; / for he is keeping track, inwardly counting the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. Treasury of Scripture I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Psalm 119:63,115 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts… Proverbs 9:6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. Jump to Previous Consort Deceitful Enter False. Falsehood Foolish Hypocrites Persons Pretenders Sat Seat Sit VainJump to Next Consort Deceitful Enter False. Falsehood Foolish Hypocrites Persons Pretenders Sat Seat Sit VainPsalm 26 1. David resorts to God in confidence of his integrityI 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 Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally 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 RelationshipsAs 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 and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 26:4?2. How can we avoid associating with "deceitful men" in our daily lives? 3. What does Psalm 26:4 teach about the importance of integrity? 4. How does Psalm 26:4 connect with Proverbs 13:20 on choosing companions wisely? 5. In what ways can we discern "hypocrites" in our community or church? 6. How can Psalm 26:4 guide our interactions with non-believers at work? 7. How does Psalm 26:4 challenge our understanding of integrity and honesty in daily life? 8. What historical context influenced the writing of Psalm 26:4? 9. How does Psalm 26:4 relate to the theme of avoiding deceitful company? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 26? 11. Does the contrast in Psalm 12:1-2 between a faithful few and a deceitful majority align with historical evidence of Israel's religious practices at the time? 12. Psalm 4:2: How do we verify who 'sons of men' refers to historically, and is there archaeological evidence linking this phrase to a specific group or time period? 13. Acts 5:1-11: How can two people suddenly die for lying, and is there any historical or medical evidence supporting such an event? 14. What does pleading my cause before the Lord mean? What Does Psalm 26:4 Mean I do not sit with deceitful menPsalm 26:4 begins, “I do not sit with deceitful men.” David declares a deliberate refusal to settle into fellowship with those whose lives are marked by falsehood. • “Sit” pictures settled companionship, a place where ideas and values are shared. Compare Psalm 1:1, where blessing is tied to avoiding “the seat of mockers.” • “Deceitful men” weave lies and manipulate truth (Proverbs 12:22). David’s stance mirrors Proverbs 13:20: “He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” • The New Testament echoes this principle: “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’” (1 Corinthians 15:33). By distancing himself, David protects heart and testimony, illustrating James 1:27’s call to keep oneself “unstained by the world” while still showing Christ-like love to all (John 17:15-17). nor keep company with hypocrites The verse continues, “nor keep company with hypocrites.” Here the focus shifts from outright deception to spiritual pretense. • Hypocrites mask unrighteous hearts with religious appearance—Jesus repeatedly confronted such people (Matthew 23:25-28). • Paul warns of those “having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:5) and instructs believers to “turn away from such men.” • Close partnership with hypocrisy endangers discernment and witness; it can dull the conscience, as shown in Galatians 2:11-13 when even Peter was briefly swept into duplicity. Choosing fellowship that is authentic and God-honoring honors Ephesians 5:11: “Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” summary Psalm 26:4 calls believers to guard intimate associations. David refuses settled fellowship with those committed to deceit or religious pretense, echoing Scripture’s consistent warning that close ties shape character and testimony. By aligning relationships with truth and sincerity, God’s people protect their hearts, honor His holiness, and stand as clear witnesses to a watching world. (4) Dissemblers--i.e., hypocrites.Verse 4. - I have not sat with vain persons. Thirdly, he has not sat with vain persons; literally, with men of vanity; i.e. he has not consorted (Psalm 1:1) with light and frivolous persons - those whose hearts are set upon vain and worthless things (see Psalm 24:4, and the comment). Neither will I go in with dissemblers. Nor will he go in with (nor has he, we may conclude, gone in with) dissemblers, i.e. hypocrites. He has neither thrown in his lot with the light, vain persons who make no pretence to religion, nor with the pretenders, who "have the form of godliness, but deny the power thereof" (2 Timothy 3:5).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew I do notלֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no sit יָ֭שַׁבְתִּי (yā·šaḇ·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry with עִם־ (‘im-) Preposition Strong's 5973: With, equally with deceitful שָׁ֑וְא (šāw) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7723: Evil, idolatry, uselessness men, מְתֵי־ (mə·ṯê-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 4962: An adult, a man nor לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no keep company אָבֽוֹא׃ (’ā·ḇō·w) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go with וְעִ֥ם (wə·‘im) Conjunctive waw | Preposition Strong's 5973: With, equally with hypocrites. נַ֝עֲלָמִ֗ים (na·‘ă·lā·mîm) Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 5956: To veil from sight, conceal Links Psalm 26:4 NIVPsalm 26:4 NLT Psalm 26:4 ESV Psalm 26:4 NASB Psalm 26:4 KJV Psalm 26:4 BibleApps.com Psalm 26:4 Biblia Paralela Psalm 26:4 Chinese Bible Psalm 26:4 French Bible Psalm 26:4 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 26:4 I have not sat with deceitful men (Psalm Ps Psa.) |