Psalms101

David declares his commitment to sing of God's mercy and judgment, resolving to live a blameless life. He vows to govern his household and kingdom with integrity, rejecting all forms of wickedness and deceit. His aim is to surround himself with the faithful and purge the land of evildoers.

The King’s Vow of Justice and Mercy

1
A psalm of David: I am singing of grace and justice; I am singing to you, ADONAI. ​

Integrity in the King's House

2
I will follow the path of integrity; when will you come to me? I will run my life with a sincere heart inside my own house. ​
3
I will not allow before my eyes any shameful thing. I hate those who act crookedly; what they do does not attract me. ​
4
Deviousness will depart from me; I will not tolerate evil. ​

Standards for Officials and Citizens

5
If someone slanders another in secret, I will cut him off. Haughty eyes and proud hearts I cannot abide. ​
6
I look to the faithful of the land, so that they can be my companions; those who live lives of integrity can be servants of mine. ​
7
No deceitful person can live in my house; no liar can be my advisor. ​
8
Every morning I will destroy all the wicked of the land, cutting off all evildoers from the city of ADONAI. ​

Study Notes for Psalms 101

Verse 1

This psalm establishes a royal manifesto, where the king dedicates his rule to God, promising to balance 'mercy' (Hesed, steadfast love) and 'judgment' (Mishpat, justice), reflecting God's own character.

Verse 2

The commitment to 'walk in a perfect way' (integrity) is crucial. The parenthetical plea, 'O when wilt thou come unto me?' highlights the king’s dependence on God’s presence and help to maintain this high standard.

Verse 3

This verse represents a commitment to moral discernment, refusing to entertain or approve of anything 'wicked.' The rejection of those 'that turn aside' signifies a zero-tolerance policy for moral compromise.

Verse 4

The 'froward heart' (perverse or crooked) must be kept at a distance. The king vows not just to avoid evil actions himself, but also to disassociate from wicked persons, maintaining moral boundaries in his personal life.

Verse 5

The focus shifts from personal purity to administrative governance. The king vows to swiftly remove slanderers and those exhibiting pride, recognizing that these vices undermine justice and social order within the kingdom.

Verse 6

This is the positive side of the king’s policy: seeking out 'the faithful' (those characterized by integrity and loyalty, 'emunah') to serve in his court. Only those who walk 'in a perfect way' are fit to be near the king.

Verse 7

This verse reinforces the commitment to remove deceit and falsehood from the administration. The king understands that a functioning government requires trustworthiness and transparency among its officials.

Verse 8

The phrase 'I will early destroy' (Heb. babboqer, 'in the morning') implies decisive, prompt, and regular administration of justice. The ultimate goal is the purification of Jerusalem, 'the city of the LORD,' ensuring it remains holy.

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