Psalms 101

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.

In this Psalm, David expresses his intention to praise the LORD through songs of mercy and judgment, committing himself to a life of integrity. He resolves to walk in a perfect way, both personally within his house and publicly in his administration, seeking God's presence. David firmly rejects all forms of wickedness, vowing not to tolerate evil practices or froward hearts. He declares his intent to cut off slanderers, the proud, and those who work deceit or tell lies from his presence and household. Instead, his eyes will be upon the faithful of the land, whom he will invite to dwell with him and serve him. Ultimately, David pledges to actively cleanse the city of the LORD by destroying all wicked doers.

Psalm 101, a Psalm of David, opens with the psalmist's declaration to sing unto the LORD of both mercy and judgment, indicating a balanced understanding of divine attributes. David then articulates a profound personal commitment to righteous living, stating his intention to "behave myself wisely in a perfect way" and to "walk within my house with a perfect heart." This personal integrity is foundational to his leadership. He expresses a longing for God's presence, asking, "O when wilt thou come unto me?" The psalmist then outlines specific rejections of wickedness: he will set no "wicked thing before mine eyes," hates the "work of them that turn aside," and declares that a "froward heart shall depart from me." Furthermore, he will not associate with wicked persons. David extends this commitment to his administration, stating that he will "cut off" anyone who "privily slandereth his neighbour." He also vows not to suffer "him that hath an high look and a proud heart," indicating a rejection of arrogance and haughtiness in his court. Conversely, David's focus will be on the virtuous; his "eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me." He explicitly states that "he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me," establishing a standard for those in his service. The psalmist reiterates his intolerance for dishonesty, declaring that "he that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house" and "he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight." The psalm concludes with a strong resolve to actively purge the land of evil, stating, "I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD," thereby ensuring a righteous environment for God's people.