Psalms 101:0 ¦ A Psalm of David.
This psalm is
specifically identified as being a composition of David, the shepherd king.
Psalms 101:1 ¦ I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I
sing.
ÒmercyÓ = kindness; by implication (towards God)Ébeauty, favor, pity
ÒjudgmentÓ = judging according to divine law
As shown by so
many psalms, the DavidÕs music centered around his thoughts of God—as the
Creator and Sovereign of the universe, as the God of Israel, and as His
personal Lord and Savior. His songs
were basically a result of his prayers put to music.
My first thought
was that this verse was an expression of singing about GodÕs goodness and
righteous faithfulness toward His people.
After looking at StrongÕs, I think he could be focused on the actions of
GodÕs people as they evidence their love for God through acts of kindness and
righteous judgment. I think this possibility is supported by the fact that the
rest of the psalm is addressing the actions of men—both good and bad. In fact, it would seem to be a
declaration from David to rule with Òmercy and judgment.Ó
Psalms 101:2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect
way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect
heart.
This verse is an
expression of DavidÕs commitment to behave with intelligence and wisdom and in
sincerity with integrity. The
question in the middle of the verse indicates that David is experiencing a time
of testing in which He is waiting for God to act on his behalf. I got the idea that he is trying to
encourage God to act by promising to live before Him with a Òperfect
heart.Ó The Hebrew for ÒperfectÓ
makes reference to moral innocence and integrity. He understands that it is who we are in private that best testifies to who we really
are.
I decided to see
what Webster had to say about integrity:
ÒThe state or
quality of being entire or completeÉ.Moral soundness;
honesty; freedom from corrupting influence or motiveÉ.purity.Ó As Jesus so carefully explained in His
teaching on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5-7), God is looking at our actions as the
outworking of our motives. David is
declaring his intent to live righteously and without deceit before God in his
home (and before the people of Israel I believe is implied). We all know that to maintain our
righteousness at home is the hardest.
Family is the first to be able to spot insincerity and/or deceitfulness
in our actions.
Psalms 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine
eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
I think scripture
very strongly warns us that temptation often comes to us through our eyes. It certainly played a part in Eve
falling for SatanÕs lies.
Genesis 3:6 ÒAnd when the woman saw
that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a
tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did
eatÉ.Ó
Proverbs 27:20 ÒHell and destruction
are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.Ó
1 John 2:16 ÒFor all that is in the
world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life,
is not of the Father, but is of the world.Ó
David is committed
to avoiding temptation by controlling what he chooses to put before his
eyes. This is called being
proactive in guarding his heart. I
have made a similar commitment in later years that I sure wish I had made when
I was young. It is so hard in
todayÕs culture to keep that commitment.
Our entertainment industry is crafted around appealing the lust of the
eyes and the flesh. Even if you are
discerning about what you watch on television, you still have to deal with the
commercials that utilize the same tactic of appealing to the lust of the eyes
and the flesh.
David was
motivated by a sincere hatred of the wickedness of those that choose to turn aside
from GodÕs commands (and embrace what is wicked is the implication). He is determined not to let such
wickedness become a part of his life.
He wants his life to be above reproach.
It is important to
note that David is declaring hatred for the sin, but not for the sinner. That is in accordance with the heart of
God.
Psalms 101:4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I
will not know a wicked person.
A Òfroward heartÓ is a reference to being
ÒdistortedÉfalseÉperverse.Ó It is evidenced
by deliberate choices to embrace what is evil with a stubborn heart and
rebellious spirit. David is
determined that this will never be a description of him. He is determined not to have intimate
fellowship with those who have such hearts.
Psalms 101:5 Whoso privily slandereth
his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
David is
determined not to tolerate those who would secretly slander his neighbor. Only cowards and/or those with immoral
motives would make such accusations.
IsnÕt it interesting that he connects those who slander with those who
are proud and arrogant? He is
determined not to tolerate such people in his administration.
Psalms 101:6 Mine eyes shall be upon
the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
David desires that
his kingdom be enjoyed by those who are faithful to God
and whose hearts are morally pure, honest and without deceit. He expects those who serve to do so with
sincerity and integrity (as discussed in verse 2 above).
I was reminded of
the words of Paul in his letter to the Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 6:14 ÒBe ye not
unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion
hath light with darkness?Ó
David
embraced this principle.
Psalms 101:7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell
within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry
in my sight.
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.
David is
determined that the wicked and deceitful not be allowed to serve in the palace;
those who are liars will not be tolerated.
His determination is to rid Israel of those who have rejected serving
God and chosen to live in sin and rebellion against Him. He wants Jerusalem to be a city of only
the faithful and obedient who accept God as LORD. I think this is basically a statement of
committing to dispense righteous judgment as king.
Though David would
prove to fall short in light of these commitments, he always responded with a
heart of repentance and renewed obedience while maintaining his faith in his
LORD. He was
privileged to be identified in scripture as a Òman after GodÕs own
heart.Ó
Acts 13:22 ÒAnd when he had removed
him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave
testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own
heart, which shall fulfil all my will.Ó
As I looked back
over this psalm, I thought how wonderful it would be if our government in
America operated with these guidelines.
I am convinced
this will never be the norm until the Lord returns to establish His kingdom.