Psalms 101:8

I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.

I will early {H1242} destroy {H6789} all the wicked {H7563} of the land {H776}; that I may cut off {H3772} all wicked {H205} doers {H6466} from the city {H5892} of the LORD {H3068}.

Every morning I will destroy all the wicked of the land, cutting off all evildoers from the city of ADONAI.

Every morning I will remove all the wicked of the land, that I may cut off every evildoer from the city of the LORD.

Morning by morning will I destroy all the wicked of the land; To cut off all the workers of iniquity from the city of Jehovah.

Psalms 101:8 captures King David's fervent commitment to righteous governance and the purification of his kingdom. This verse is part of a "King's Vow," where David outlines his principles for ruling, emphasizing personal integrity and active justice.

Context

Psalm 101 is a Davidic psalm, often understood as a covenant or pledge made by a king to God and to his people concerning how he will rule. David sets out his intention to walk blamelessly ( Psalms 101:2), reject evil ( Psalms 101:3), and surround himself with upright individuals. Verse 8, therefore, is the culmination of this pledge, detailing his proactive approach to maintaining the moral integrity of his administration and the nation, especially within Jerusalem, "the city of the LORD."

Key Themes

  • Active Justice and Judgment: David vows not merely to avoid evil but to actively "destroy" and "cut off" wicked doers. This signifies a commitment to swift and decisive action against corruption and injustice within his realm.
  • Purity of the Capital: The phrase "the city of the LORD" refers to Jerusalem, which was becoming the spiritual and political center of Israel. David's desire was for Jerusalem to be a holy city, reflecting God's character, free from the pervasive influence of wickedness. This echoes the concept of Zion as God's dwelling place (Psalms 99:9).
  • Righteous Governance: This verse underscores the biblical ideal of a ruler who operates under divine authority, responsible for upholding God's standards of righteousness and ensuring justice for his people. It's a model for leadership that prioritizes moral order over expediency.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word translated "early" is boqer (בֹּקֶר), which literally means "morning." This suggests that David intended to deal with wickedness promptly, perhaps at the start of each day's administrative duties. It implies a consistent, vigilant, and immediate pursuit of justice, not a delayed or hesitant one. This "morning judgment" was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern courts.

Practical Application

While this verse speaks of a king's administrative duties, its principles resonate deeply today:

  • Personal Integrity: Just as David sought to purify his kingdom, believers are called to purify their own lives from sin and compromise, recognizing that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit ( 1 Corinthians 6:19).
  • Seeking Righteousness: We are called to actively oppose wickedness in our spheres of influence, whether in our families, workplaces, or communities, and to promote justice and truth.
  • Hope for a Pure Future: This verse foreshadows the ultimate purification that will occur when Christ returns to establish His righteous kingdom, where no wickedness will enter the New Jerusalem. Until then, we strive to live as citizens of that heavenly city, reflecting its purity.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 75:10

    All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; [but] the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

  • Jeremiah 21:12

    O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver [him that is] spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench [it], because of the evil of your doings.

  • Proverbs 16:12

    ¶ [It is] an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

  • Proverbs 20:8

    ¶ A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

  • Psalms 48:8

    ¶ As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.

  • Psalms 46:4

    [There is] a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy [place] of the tabernacles of the most High.

  • Proverbs 20:26

    ¶ A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.

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