I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
David appeals to God as judge and advocate because men have offered him neither equity nor help. Oppressed by false accusations, he calls God to take up his cause and vindicate his innocence, for he has walked in integrity and trusted without wavering.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 26:1-12
So far from being himself an open offender against the laws of God, the psalmist had not even associated with the lovers of evil. He had kept aloof from the men of Belial. A man is known by his company, and if we have kept ourselves apart from the wicked, it will always be evidence in our favour should our character be impugned.
Commenting on Psalm 26:4
I have hated the congregation of evil doers. A severe sentence, but not too severe. A man who does not hate evil terribly, does not love good heartily. Men, as men, we must always love, for they are our neighbours, and therefore to be loved as ourselves; but evil doers, as such, are traitors to the Great King, and no loyal subject can love traitors.