Going to Church Does not Mean Assembling with the Wicked (Psalm 26)

This is an amazing Psalm. Amazing in its content and amazing in its timelessness. This Psalm serves as a huge encouragement to me, and so it will for you. We who have experienced abuse and injustice from people who claim to be Christians have been impelled by Christ’s Spirit to embrace David’s declaration in vss 4-7. We are done sitting with men of falsehood and we refuse to consort with hypocrites. We hate places where Christ is professed but which are nothing more than the assembly of evildoers and we will not sit with them.

In fact, though many of us are unable to be in a local church, we can say more than anyone else, “we love the habitation of the Lord’s house, the place where His glory dwells.”  Many times that glorious habitation is not in a group of people on a street corner in a building, but in the true temple of the Lord – His true flock wherever it gathers.  So take heart and hear the Word of God spoken through King David:

Psa 26:1-12 Of David. Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. (2) Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind. (3) For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.

(4) I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. (5) I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. (6) I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O LORD, (7) proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds.

(8) O LORD, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. (9) Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, (10) in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes. (11) But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. (12) My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the LORD.