Psalms 101:1

¶ A Psalm of David. I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.

A Psalm {H4210} of David {H1732}. I will sing {H7891} of mercy {H2617} and judgment {H4941}: unto thee, O LORD {H3068}, will I sing {H2167}.

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

I will sing of Your loving devotion and justice; to You, O LORD, I will sing praises.

I will sing of lovingkindness and justice: Unto thee, O Jehovah, will I sing praises.

Commentary

Psalm 101:1 opens a significant psalm, often referred to as a "royal psalm" or a "vow of integrity," penned by King David. It immediately sets the tone for his reign and personal conduct, declaring his commitment to the principles that would govern his life and kingdom.

Context

This psalm is attributed to David, the King of Israel, who understood the immense responsibility of ruling God's people. Psalm 101 serves as a blueprint for righteous governance and personal holiness, intended to be a public declaration of his intent. It reflects David's desire to lead in a way that honors God, establishing a just and merciful administration within his household and across the nation. The entire psalm expands on this introductory verse, detailing how he intends to live and govern.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Attributes as a Standard: David declares his intention to "sing of mercy and judgment." This highlights two fundamental attributes of God himself. Mercy (Hebrew: chesed or hesed) refers to God's steadfast love, lovingkindness, and covenant faithfulness. Judgment (Hebrew: mishpat) refers to divine justice, righteousness, and the upholding of truth. By linking his song—and thus his life and rule—to both, David acknowledges that true leadership requires a balance of compassion and justice, reflecting the very character of the LORD, who is abundant in mercy yet will not clear the guilty.
  • Worship as Foundation: The repeated phrase "unto thee, O LORD, will I sing" emphasizes that David's commitment stems from a deep personal relationship with God. His resolve to rule righteously is an act of worship, acknowledging God as the ultimate sovereign and the source of all wisdom and authority. This establishes that righteous leadership is rooted in devotion and praise to the Almighty.
  • A Vow of Integrity: This verse serves as an opening pledge. It is a personal and public commitment to live a life of integrity, both personally and as a ruler. It sets the stage for the rest of the psalm, which details the specific ways David intends to pursue blamelessness and justice in his court and kingdom.

Linguistic Insights

The pairing of "mercy" (chesed) and "judgment" (mishpat) is profound in Hebrew thought. Chesed speaks of loyalty, kindness, and unfailing love, often in the context of a covenant relationship. Mishpat refers to justice, equity, and the proper administration of law. A king who embodies both truly reflects God's character, ensuring both the well-being of his people through compassion and the stability of his kingdom through righteous decisions. David's declaration indicates his aspiration to embody this divine balance in his rule.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalm 101:1 serves as a powerful reminder that our personal lives and any sphere of influence we possess should be characterized by a balance of mercy and justice, rooted in our worship of God. Whether in our families, workplaces, or communities, we are called to embody God's character—offering compassion while upholding truth and fairness. Our commitment to righteous living should be a "song" directed to the LORD, an act of intentional worship that guides our decisions and actions, much like David's vow to rule with justice and integrity.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 89:1

    ¶ Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

  • Psalms 71:22

    I will also praise thee with the psaltery, [even] thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.

  • Psalms 71:23

    My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

  • Revelation 19:1

    ¶ And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

  • Revelation 19:3

    And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

  • Psalms 51:14

    ¶ Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: [and] my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

  • Psalms 136:10

    ¶ To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:
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