A muddied water source, caused by animals trampling around in it, is unfit for human consumption. This is even worse in a well, where people have dumped poisonous substances. Together, these two images point to something very dangerous.
It is equally dangerous when a righteous person stumbles before a wicked person. Then all of life threatens to come to a standstill. The serious warning here is, Do not let this happen!
This powerful saying wants to especially underscore that, in fact, it is a terrible situation when a righteous man gives way before the wicked. A righteous man cannot accept evil. That does not fit with a righteous person.
Will it never occur then?
In all of Scripture, we meet righteous people who have made terrible mistakes. Think of Peter, who, when it became challenging for him, even denied his master Jesus (Matthew 26:70; compare with Psalm 73:1–28). Especially because of this, we today also need this saying to realize just how risky it is when we do not resist the evil around us. As we face an impending fall, let us seek refuge with God and ask for his help. We have been promised his assistance, as we read in Hebrews 4:16: Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.