Psalms 101
The King’s Vow of Justice and Mercy 1–4
Standards for Officials and Citizens 5–8
Bible text: American Standard Version (1901) · Public domain
Study Notes for Psalms 101
Verse 1
mercy and judgment — Chesed, covenant love, and mishpat, the verdict that sets things right. The prophet sets the pair side by side in 'keep mercy and judgment' (Hos 12:6), and Ps 33:5 says the LORD 'loveth righteousness and judgment'. Two verbs of singing stand in the verse, shir and zamar, the second being to sing with an instrument.
Verse 2
a perfect way — Tamim, complete or blameless; 'behave myself wisely' is sakal, the verb used of David in 1 Sam 18:14, 'David behaved himself wisely in all his ways'. The 'perfect way' is the LORD's own, 'As for God, his way is perfect' (Ps 18:30). 'Within my house' (qereb, the inside) is where the walk begins; it returns in v.7.
Verse 3
no wicked thing — The Hebrew is beliyyaal, worthlessness, the word of 'the children of Belial' (Deut 13:13). 'Turn aside' is sut, to swerve off the way. 'Cleave' is dabaq, to stick fast, the verb of a man cleaving to his wife in Gen 2:24; such work shall not stick to him.
Verse 4
A froward heart — Iqqesh, crooked or twisted, the same word as in Prov 11:20, 'They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD'. 'Depart' is sur, to turn off. 'I will not know' means he will have no dealings with a wicked man (cf. Matt 7:23, 'I never knew you').
Verse 5
privily slandereth — Lashan, from the word for tongue, to wag it in secret against another; in the Psalms it is found only here, and elsewhere only at Prov 30:10. 'Cut off' is tsamath, the verb rendered 'destroy' in v.8. 'High look' is literally high of eye, as 'high looks' in Ps 18:27; Prov 6:17 lists 'a proud look' first among the things the LORD hates.
Verse 6
the faithful of the land — Aman, to be firm and trustworthy, the root of 'amen' and of the 'truth' in Ps 100:5. His eyes are upon them 'that they may dwell with me'. 'Serve' is sharat, to wait on and attend; the one who walks 'in a perfect way' (tamim, as v.2) is the one who attends the king.
Verse 7
shall not dwell within my house — Remiyyah, deceit or treachery, joined to sheqer, lies. 'Within my house' repeats v.2: the house where he walks with a perfect heart is closed to the deceiver. 'Tarry' is kun, to be set up and established, so the liar shall not be established in his sight.
Verse 8
I will early destroy — Boqer, morning: the work is done at the day's opening, as the house of David was bidden, 'Execute judgment in the morning' (Jer 21:12). 'Destroy' is tsamath, the verb of v.5, and 'cut off' is karath. 'The city of the LORD' is Jerusalem, called by that name in Isa 60:14.